CAREGIVER SUPPORT CENTER

The Caregiver Support Center at RCI is partnering with Middle Flint Behavioral Health in South Georgia, to provide outreach services to caregivers who were affected and/or displaced by a devastating March 1st tornado that hit Sumter and surrounding counties. The storm destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses. Amazingly, the tornado only claimed two lives in Americus.

In addition to working with family caregivers, a major focus of the RCI initiative will be working with members of the local health care community who were dramatically impacted by the tornado when the only regional hospital within 30 miles (Sumter Regional Hospital) was completely destroyed. More than 600 employees of the hospital and many more health care and support staff whose work relates to the hospital, have been personally and professionally affected as plans for new hospital construction are urgently underway.

The work on this project is supported by a grant to The Georgia Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addictive Diseases (MHD-DAD) from the federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) for Project CARE in Sumter and Taylor Counties. The program, designed to assist the March 1 tornado survivors, is being led by Middle Flint Behavioral Health Care.

If you are a professional, volunteer or family caregiver, and have been affected or displaced by the tornado, contact Gayle Alston, Director of the Caregiver Support Center at the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving.
E-mail Gayle. Phone 229-931-2707.

Download PDF brochure: Caregiving in the Aftermath of Disaster

Helpful Links on Disaster Preparedness

Download PDF of the Self-Directed Educational Program for Family Caregivers: Caring and Coping After Disaster Strikes

Download PDF of Caring and Coping After Disaster Strikes accompanying workbook