Osteopathic Family Relief Fund

The AOA's Osteopathic Family Relief Fund (OFRF) assists DOs and osteopathic medical students whose homes and clinics have been damaged in natural disasters. If your family or your practice has been impacted by a disaster, you may be eligible to receive assistance through an OFRF grant. 
 

 

Hurricane Sandy Resources

• FEMA's Hurricane Sandy resource center lists shelters and explains how survivors can register for assistance.

• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' page on Hurricane Sandy lists open Red Cross shelters and provides disaster-related health information.

Disaster Loans

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers disaster loans to repair or replace damaged real estate, personal property and business assets not covered by insurance or other aid. Here's a look at disaster loans offered by SBA:

• For small businesses: Disaster loans to cover working capital needs caused by the disaster

• For homeowners: Up to $200,000 to repair or replace primary homes

• For homeowners and renters: Up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property

• For businesses: Up to $2 million for physical or economic losses.

For information on SBA disaster loans, call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY 1-800-977-8339) or visit SBA online.

Opportunities for Medical Volunteers

• The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a national network that engages volunteers to strengthen public health, improve emergency response and build community resilience. Note that there may be a delay in processing your request to volunteer if your MRC is actively providing service. Find your local MRC or visit the New York City MRC page.

• The Emergency System for Advance Volunteer Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals (ESAR-VHP) verifies the identification and credentials of health professionals who wish to serve in disaster response. This saves valuable time by providing a pool of volunteers whose credentials have already been verified; it also makes it easier to match qualified volunteers with requests for service. Learn more about the program or add yourself to the New York or New Jersey registry.

• The American Red Cross provides shelter, food, health and mental health services to help families and communities recover from disasters. To help their efforts in New York and New Jersey, contact your local Red Cross chapter or email Mary Casey-Lockyer, disaster health services manager at Red Cross headquarters, at lockyerm@usa.redcross.org.