DCF Offers Crisis Counseling to Hurricane Dennis Victims

--Mental health crisis counselors are on hand to help victims cope with disaster distress--

TALLAHASSEE – As recovery operations persevere in areas struck by Hurricane Dennis earlier this week, many Floridians living in disaster-ridden areas might need help coping with their losses. In response to their needs, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) in cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and community based organizations is delivering Project Hope, a program that provides short-term crisis counseling to hurricane victims to help reduce situational stress, anxiety, and depression.

“We advise Floridians to do all they can this year to reduce stress both before and after natural disasters hit our state,” said DCF Secretary Lucy Hadi. “As part of the Governor’s Emergency Response Team, we have deployed counselors to the field to provide face-to-face assistance to hurricane victims dealing with storm-related emotional concerns.”

Those who need to speak with a crisis counselor should call 1-866-518-1825 or visit a designated Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). Those living in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton Counties can contact a local Project Hope representative at (850) 438-9879.

DRC LOCATIONS CURRENTLY OPEN:

• AFO
  33 Brent Lane
  Pensacola, FL 32503
  (Escambia County)
  
  
• Jay Community Center
  5259 Booker Lane
  Jay, FL 32565
  (Santa Rosa County)
  
  
• Agriculture Building
  6001 A Industrial BLVD
  Century, FL 32535
  (Escambia County)
  
  
• South Santa Rosa Community Center r
  5841 Gulf Breeze PKWY
  Gulf Breeze, FL 32561
  (Santa Rosa County)
  
  
• Administration Parking Lot (Gateway Plaza)za)
  6491 Caroline ST (HWY 90)
  Milton, FL 32570
  (Santa Rosa County)
  
  

The Department of Children and Families developed Project Hope in response to the many hurricane victims who suffered from increased levels of emotional distress during last year’s hurricane season, an estimated 153,000 Floridians. Counselors continue to staff areas throughout the state that were affected by last year’s hurricanes. es. DCF encourages those suffering stress-related problems resulting from Hurricane Dennis to contact a Project Hope representative.

*NOTE TO MEDIA: Crisis counselors can be interviewed to discuss Project Hope on camera, but we kindly request that media refrain from showing victims on camera unless the victim grants permission. We wish to respect the privacy of those suffering from Hurricane Dennis. Wide shots and back shots are permissible.

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