FINANCIAL INFO: Alliant Energy May Help You Replace Flooded Appliances

In response to summer flooding, Interstate Power and Light Company (IPL), an Alliant Energy company, has created the Alliant Energy Flood Relief program, committing over $300,000 to replace major appliances in moderate- and low-income flood affected homes across the state. Qualified customers will receive full replacement value for the purchase of energy-efficient clothes washers and dryers, refrigerators and freezers. Flood-affected customers must meet federal income guidelines to participate in this program. For example, a flood-affected family of four making $53,000 or less is eligible for this program. To apply, call 2-1-1 or (319) 739-4211.

FAMILY INFO: Take Care of Your Emotional Needs

The June flooding disaster impacted more than homes, businesses and neighborhoods. The disaster’s aftermath has taken a toll on physical, emotional and spiritual well-being, too. According to Peter Teahen, a national media spokesman and government liaison officer with the American Red Cross, disaster survivors experience four emotional phases of disaster recovery. Currently, we are experiencing the “Disillusionment Phase,” in which the following thoughts and fears come to mind:

• Reality of flood’s impact
• Realization of losses & work to be done
• Procedures to get assistance are frustrating
• Community politics emerge
• Grieving over magnitude of loss

If you’re having trouble sleeping, feeling afraid of a repeat disaster or confused about what to do, ask for help! Call the Abbe Center for Community Mental Health at (319) 398-3562 or the Iowa Concern Hotline at 1-800-447-1985. Counselors are standing by to help you free of charge.

FAMILY INFO: “Navigating Your Way Through Difficult Times” Session on Dec. 10

AARP, in collaboration with local agencies, is bringing author and educator Elizabeth Harper Neeld, Ph.D., to Cedar Rapids for an educational session dealing with life's tough transitions. Neeld is a nationally-known authority on personal and organizational change, and author of several books including “Tough Transitions,” and “Seven Choices, Taking the Steps to New Life After Loss Shatters Your World.” She will present current research on the impact of emotions during tough transitions, specific problem/solution approaches that have been shown to help during tough transitions and the differences between surviving and thriving.  

The seminar, "Making the Transition—Navigating Your Way Through Difficult Times," is sponsored by AARP Iowa, in collaboration with Heritage Area Agency on Aging, Abbe, Inc., and Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids. The session is planned for Wednesday, Dec. 10 at Kirkwood Community College in Iowa Hall, Rooms A&B. A morning session is offered for professionals and volunteers from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., and an evening session is planned for the general public from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. There is no cost to attend any of the sessions, but advance registration is required due to limited seating capacity. Resources and refreshments will be provided. Attendees must register either online or call the AARP events line toll-free at 1-877-926-8300.

CEDAR RAPIDS INFO: Cedar Rapids Needs Help from Federal Lawmakers Outside Iowa

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 The City of Cedar Rapids needs more funding from the federal government to help our community recover from the June flooding disaster. Our City Council and Iowa State and Federal lawmakers can’t do it alone. Please consider contacting friends and family in other states to ask them to write letters to their members of Congress and the U.S. Senate about our plight. In these letters, be sure to ask them to mention that Cedar Rapids needs more money to rebuild homes, businesses and neighborhoods devastated by the flood, and to build flood walls and levees to protect our community from future flooding. Here are some statistics to help your friends and family members describe the impact of this disaster on Cedar Rapids:

• 10 sq. mi. (14 percent) of the City impacted by flood
• 18,623 estimated persons in flood-impacted area
• 1,360 estimated jobs lost as a result of flood
• 1,800 students displaced by the flood
• 7,198 parcels of land flooded
• 5,390 residential properties flooded (51 percent rental, 49 percent owner-occupied)
  
• $2.4 billion estimated damage cost to public infrastructure and future flood management

For anyone whose friends or relatives do not have the contact information for their U.S. Senators or House member, they can go to http://whoismyrepresentative.com/, type in their zip code and can get their lawmakers’ names and contact information.

FAMILY INFO: Waypoint Madge Phillips Center Open

Women and children who need a place to stay may call Waypoint at (319) 365-1458 for shelter services. Families may have shelter for up to 30 nights. Women are required to sign up for transitional housing within 72 hours of arriving at the facility.

  The Madge Phillips Center Daytime Resource Program is also available for families to stop in Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for food, toiletries, seminars and to talk with staff about their needs.

HOME INFO: Protect Unattended/Non-Heated Homes This Winter

• Advise the Water Department that your home will not be used or heated in the winter. Ask the Water Department to shut off the water to the structure.

• Drain the water out of the potable water pipes in the home. Where water may be trapped in pipes, you may blow pressurized air through the pipes to force trapped water out.
  

• Any potable water pipe attached to the outside of the home should be well-insulated to prevent freezing.

• Empty all drain traps of water where possible, except floor drains. For floor drains use 50% antifreeze to fill the trap and then insulate to prevent freezing. (NOTE:  Placing 50% antifreeze liquid in the drain prevents sewer gas escape, and should help prevent freezing of floor drain pipes.)

• If possible, keep doors and windows shut, especially doors to basement areas.

• Check on the home periodically to determine any needs, and to ensure security of the home.

• In the City of Cedar Rapids, contact the Water Department at (319) 286-5900.

FINANICAL INFO: Apply for Energy Assistance

Iowa residents may begin applying for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds now. The federal LIHEAP provides dollars to moderate- and low-income level households to help out with utility bills. 

To obtain energy assistance, qualified utility customers can apply for LIHEAP funds anytime between now and April 15, 2009. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.  For more information on where or how to apply for LIHEAP funds, call (319) 366-7632 or visit http://www.dcaa.iowa.gov  and click on “Bureau of Energy Assistance”.  Eligibility for energy assistance is not based on whether someone is behind on their energy bills or is renting versus owning a home. 

Applicants must bring these items to the agencies to determine eligibility:

• Proof of income for all household members 19 years or older for the previous three months
• Social Security cards for everyone in the household
• Current energy bill
• Rent certificate or statement from the landlord confirming whether or not heat is included in rent payments

LIHEAP payments depend upon household size, income level and home energy costs. The program helps pay for home energy costs for households with incomes at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level.  Households may also qualify for crisis assistance benefits, which can include purchase of home heating fuel, reconnection of utility service, temporary shelter and heating unit replacements or repairs.

FINANCIAL INFO: Help in Making Ends Meet

The Iowa State University (ISU) Linn County Extension, with funding help from the City of Cedar Rapids, is offering financial counseling for residents of Linn County who have been affected by the flood.  Families can receive free assistance:

• To reclaim documents lost in the flood
• To build a new after-flood family budget
• To review housing options
• To link to other community support

  This process is completely confidential. You can share as much or as little of your financial information as you feel comfortable with. If you would like to make an appointment or want more information about this service, please contact Christina Barger at (319) 377-9839 or cbarger@iastate.edu.

FAMILY INFO: Register for Holiday Food Box & Toy Shop

The Salvation Army, Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP), Wal-Mart, Toys for Tots and the Cedar Rapids Jaycees are providing special holiday food boxes and a Christmas Toy Shop for low-income households. All households that meet the income guidelines of 185% of the poverty level are eligible to apply for food boxes. Those households with children ages birth to seventeen also qualify for the toy distribution. 

Registration is required to participate in these programs. Applications will be available at The Salvation Army, 1000 C Avenue NW, through November 25.  No appointment is necessary. For more information, contact The Salvation Army at (319) 364-9131. 

Registration times through November 25

• Daytime hours: Monday through Friday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. & 1:30-4:00 p.m.
  

Applicants must bring the following to apply:  

• Iowa-issued picture identification card
• Social security cards for each member of the family
• Proof of income (Acceptable documents to verify income include: Social Security statement or letter from the Social Security Administration stating income, 2007 income taxes, pay stubs from the last 30 days, food stamp EBT card, LIHEAP approval letter and/or WIC packet.)

LIBRARY INFO: Cedar Rapids Public Library Update

How to Make Thrifty Gift Baskets

• Date: Tues., Nov. 25
• Time: 9:30 am and again at noon
• Location: Westdale Mall Community Room, first level, between Steve and Barry’s and Eddie Bauer.
• Discover how to save money when holiday shopping. Cedar Rapids Public Library staffer Paula Cufr will demonstrate how to assemble thrifty gift baskets and give tips on smart buying. Attendees will be eligible for door prizes; refreshments will be served.

Make-and-Take Holiday Craft

• Decorative wreath
• Date: Fri., November 28
• Time: 10:30 am – 1:30 p.m.
• Location: Westdale Mall, second level
• Stop by the children’s area between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to make a festive holiday wreath. All materials provided; younger children will need adult assistance.

Flutist Dorothy Readnour

• White Lights: Holiday Music
• Date: Sat., Nov. 29
• Time: 10:30 am
• Location: First level, Westdale Mall, near Lenscrafters
• Flutist Dorothy Readnour will perform songs of the season; the audience is invited to sing along at this first in a series of White Lights performances.

Every Week at the Library

• Story Time (ages 3-5), 30 minutes

• Youth Library, second level, Westdale Mall
• Mondays - 6:30 p.m., Wednesdays - 10:30 a.m. Saturdays - 10:30 a.m.

• Toddler Time (ages 1-2), 20 minutes
• Fridays - 10:30 a.m., youth library, second level, Westdale Mall

CEDAR RAPIDS INFO: Call 2-1-1 for Flood Recovery Assistance

If you were impacted by the flood, be sure to call the Flood Recovery Assistance Hotline at 2-1-1 or (319) 739-4211, to register for funding and assistance from the City of Cedar Rapids and the state and federal government. You will need to have your FEMA registration number handy. After registering through the hotline, a representative will schedule a meeting with you to explain your funding and assistance options.

CEDAR RAPIDS INFO: Is the City Serving Your Needs?

Rate the City on its customer service performance by completing a survey online at www.cedar-rapids.org, using the “Flood Response: Customer Satisfaction Survey” link, or by calling 2-1-1 or (319) 739-4211 to take the survey orally.

Helpful Phone Numbers

General Information:

• United Way 2-1-1 Information Line - Call 2-1-1 or (319) 739-4211
• Visit www.corridorrecovery.org for the latest flood recovery news and community resources

Financial:

• Horizons Consumer Credit Counseling Service (free help) - (319) 398-3576 or 1-800-826-3574
• ISU Linn County Extension (free financial counseling) - (319) 377-9839
• Iowa Mortgage Help – 1-877-622-4866
• IRS Disaster Assistance Hotline – 1-866-562-5227
• Iowa Legal Aid – 1-800-532-1275

• Family:
• Abbe Center for Community Mental Health (free counseling) - (319) 398-3562
• Iowa Concern Hotline (free counseling) – 1-800-447-1985
• Crisis Help (from Foundation 2) – (319) 362-2174 or 1-800-332-4224
• Teenline (free, confidential help) – 1-800-443-8336
• Horizons Mental Health Counseling (free help) – (319) 398-3943
• Horizons Meals on Wheels – (319) 398-3574
• Cedar Rapids Community Schools – (319) 558-2000
• Child Care Resource & Referral Center - (319) 739-1556
• Salvation Army – (319)364-9131
• Foundation 2 Food Pantry – (319) 362-2174

Home:

• Flood Damage Clean Up Help (Volunteer Reception Center) - (319) 540-4815
• Housing for Youth Ages 16-21 – (319) 368-3376
• Alliant Energy Residential Electrical Inspection – 1-800-255-4268
• Alliant Energy Rebate Program- 1-800-723-7635
• MidAmerican Energy Natural Gas Inspection – 1-800-432-0586
• MidAmerican Rebate Program - 1-800-894-9599

Cedar Rapids:

• Flood Recovery Assistance – 2-1-1 or (319) 739-4211
• City of Cedar Rapids Water Dept. – (319) 286-5900
• City of Cedar Rapids Building/Zoning Dept. – (319) 286-5831
• City of Cedar Rapids Housing Inspections Dept. – (319) 286-5197
• ity of Cedar Rapids Information Line – (319) 286-5555

County:

• Linn County Public Health – (319) 892-6000
• Linn County Community Services – (319) 892-5600

About the Recovery Newsletter

The City of Cedar Rapids and Linn County strive to deliver this Recovery Newsletter to the people who need it most – the residents who were directly impacted by the June 2008 flooding disaster. That’s why we are mailing this newsletter to you every Thursday. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding this newsletter, please contact City staff member Cassie Willis at c.willis@cedar-rapids.org or (319) 286-5055.