Message to TSSW Community about Self-Care, Resources, & Service

TSSW community,

As relief efforts continue for the areas impacted by Hurricane Ida, the Tulane University School of Social Work is grateful for this community as well as information and support from Tulane University, our area leaders, mutual aid resources, and nonprofit organizations.

Because of our gratitude, we want you to take care of yourselves as everyone navigates this time in their own ways. We frequently talk about self-care and mental health, and that conversation must continue even in the aftermath of a natural disaster. A variety of resources are available to you:

• For those who reside in Louisiana, you can reach out to the Louisiana Spirit 24/7 hotline for mental health support at 1-800-256-2522 or text REACHOUT to 741741. Louisiana Spirit helps people recover and rebuild their lives after a disaster at no cost to the survivor.
• For anyone who feels like they need to speak to someone as a result of Hurricane Ida, the Disaster Distress Hotline is The Disaster Distress Helpline is available 24/7 at 1-800-985-5990. You can also connect via SMS by texting “TalkWithUs” for English or “Hablanos” for Spanish to 1-787-339-2663.
• Everyone is welcome to visit TSSW's selfcare website for tips and resources.
• And, TSSW is pleased to offer weekly virtual mindfulness sessions for our community as well as all of Tulane from 12 to 12:30 pmCT on Mondays and Thursdays starting Thursday, September 9. The link for this week's session is here, and more details are forthcoming on additional sessions are forthcoming.

We also want to remind you of federal, state, and local resources available to you.

• When you are able, be sure to complete FEMA's disaster assistance application. This also includes information about transitional sheltering assistance.
• The NOLA Ready website and social media has a variety of local information.
• For those of you who are not in the City of New Orleans and have been impacted, please check-in with your local emergency management for updates and announcements.
• And, Tulane is offering emergency funding for students, faculty, and staff.
  • Students may apply for emergency funding by filling out this form.
  • Faculty and staff may apply for the University's Hurricane Ida Employee Relief Assistance Program at the bottom of this page.

Several of our alumni, students, faculty, and staff are working and volunteering on the frontlines, and many of you have reached out asking how you can help. NOLA Ready has a list as does the Tulane University Center for Public Service on their website. Disaster response comes in three phases - rescue, relief, and recovery. As we move from relief to recovery, we will continue to share opportunities to become involved, should anyone be interested and able to do that.

Again, please continue to prioritize your physical and mental well-being. Take care of yourselves and your loved ones, and please reach out should you need anything.

As before, please feel free to reach out to Dean Bordnick directly with questions.

Sincerely,
Dr. Patrick Bordnick, Dean of Tulane School of Social Work
Dr. Arturo Rodriguez, Assistant Dean of Administration & Finance
Dr. Susan Davies, Associate Dean of Research
Dr. Crystal Broussard, Director of Master of Social Work Program
Dr. Reggie Ferreira, Director of Disaster Resilience Leadership Academy
Dr. Maurya Glaude, Director of Field Education
Dr. Tonya Hansel, Director of Doctorate of Social Work Program
Carrie Moulder, Marketing & Communications Specialist
Mel'isa Morel, Executive Assistant to the Dean