Join the Council
Goals & Objectives
Council’s Work PlanEmergency Preparedness for Arkansans with Functional and Access Needs
In Arkansas, nobody wants to think about experiencing a natural disaster like a tornado, flood, ice storm or house fire. What would you do if you found yourself in an emergency situation?
It’s important to plan ahead. Especially if you have a disability, or are a caregiver for someone who does. We’ve put together a checklist that can help you prepare for the worst.
Emergency Preparedness Checklist
Public Health Emergency Preparedness Resources 
Protect yourself from contracting any virus by practicing healthy habits.
Use these resources to help be prepared or get information from a healthcare professional.
- If you are experiencing illness you think may be symptoms of coronavirus and your situation is NOT critical, please stay at home and call your primary care physician for further instruction.
- Is This an Emergency? If you think you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
Arkansas State Government COVID-19 Information
https://govstatus.egov.com/ar-covid-19
The State of Arkansas is proactively responding to an outbreak of COVID-19. State and Federal health officials urge social distancing, good hand hygiene, covering coughs and staying home if you are sick. For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, please visit the Arkansas Department of Health website.
Arkansas Children’s Hospital
If you believe your child is exhibiting symptoms of #COVID19, check the list of symptoms here: https://www.archildrens.org/coronavirus
You can call Children's at 1-800-743-3616 to speak with an pediatric nurse. Nursing staff will be available for questions and phone screenings 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Arkansas Department of Health
https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/
ADH has activated a call center to answer questions from health care providers and the public about the novel coronavirus.
Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.: 1-501-537-8969 or 1-800-803-7847
Email: ADH.CoronaVirus@arkansas.gov
After hours: 1-800-554-5738.
Visit https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/novel-coronavirus
UAMS Health Now
Free Online Screening for COVID-19: By answering a series of questions about your symptoms, age, overall health and travel, this screening will provide you with ways to access more information if needed.
https://uamshealth.com/healthnow/
If you do not wish to use this service but need to speak to someone about COVID-19 please contact the Arkansas Department of Health.
The Arkansas Division of Emergency Management (ADEM)
The Arkansas Division of Emergency Management (ADEM) is Arkansas’ Homeland Security and Preparedness Agency. The State’s Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) is housed at ADEM. In a disaster, the SEOC has representatives from various state agencies to ensure that assistance can be given quickly. Disasters are local. They affect us as citizens, our neighbors and our communities. ADEM works with the local governments to make sure that our communities return to normal as soon as possible.
https://www.adem.arkansas.gov/
Arkansas Division of Emergency Management
Building 9501 Camp Joseph T. Robinson
North Little Rock, AR 72199
501-683-6700
ADEM - State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC)
The SEOC supports local jurisdictions by providing requested resources, information, advice, strategic assistance, and communication.
https://www.adem.arkansas.gov/state-emergency-operations-center
ADEM - Arkansas Joint Information Center COVID-19
Click the link below for the FAQ: Tips for Home and Children, COVID-19
https://www.adem.arkansas.gov/Websites/ardem/images/FAQs%20Prepare%20Your%20Home%20and%20Children.pdf
Arkansas Department of Commerce
Division of Workforce Services (ADWS)
TO APPLY FOR ARKANSAS UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE:
Visit www.ezarc.adws.arkansas.gov to complete your application online or call 1-855-225-4440 and ask for the number to call for your local ADWS office or go to https://www.dws.arkansas.gov/contact/ and scroll down to find your local office listing.
For the next 30 days (beginning 03/17/20), the Governor has waived:
- the one-week waiting period from the date of loss of income/employment,
- the current work-search requirement, allowing the unemployed to receive benefits without seeking other employment (this exception applies only to those employed by businesses that are temporarily closed with plans to reopen),
- requirement to apply in-person, to allow the unemployed to apply for benefits online or by telephone.
Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC)
The AEDC is committed to helping businesses and employees combat the economic effects of COVID-19. Their COVID-19 resources page is designed to help Arkansas employers and employees respond to the challenges of COVID-19. They have compiled a list of information and programs that can help ease the burden caused by coronavirus, and will continue to update this list as additional resources become available. Visit that page here https://www.arkansasedc.com/covid19
Arkansas Department of Education
Division of Elementary & Secondary Education
COVID-19 Information
http://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/divisions/communications/covid-19-information
FEDERAL GUIDANCE
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (US HHS)
Administration for Community Living (ACL)
Administration on Disabilities (AOD)
https://acl.gov/COVID-19
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
HAVE QUESTIONS? Call 800-232-4636 (Open 24/7)
General Preparation Information from the White House Coronavirus Task Force
UPDATE March 29, 2020: President Trump announced an extension of federal guidance on social distancing through April 30, 2020, in a continued effort to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
On March 9, 2020, the White House Coronavirus Task Force released practical steps that they recommend posting and sharing to keep workplaces, school, home and commercial establishments safe. This information can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/workplace-school-and-home-guidance.pd
The President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America --
15 Days to Slow the Spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19)
(Released 03/16/20)
A new resource from the White House and the CDC.
Today President Trump issued new guidelines to stem coronavirus spread.
DO YOUR PART TO SLOW THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS!
Resources from OSHA and DOL that may be useful for workplace questions during public health emergencies:
OSHA is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA works to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance.
https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3989.pdf
The Department of Labor (DOL) fosters and promotes the welfare of the job seekers, wage earners, and retirees of the United States by improving their working conditions, advancing their opportunities for profitable employment, protecting their retirement and health care benefits, helping employers find workers, strengthening free collective bargaining, and tracking changes in employment, prices, and other national economic measurements.
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic
PLAIN LANGUAGE COVID-19 RESOURCES IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH
Our thanks to our partners for allowing us to share these important resources - the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities and Green Mountain Self-Advocates
English 1-Page Plain Language COVID-19 Prevention Recommendations
Spanish 1-Page Plain Language COVID-19 Prevention Recommendations
Long Form COVID-19 Plain Language Information By and For People with Disabilities - Green Mountain Self-Advocates
Spanish Long Form COVID-19 Plain Language Information By and For PwDs - Green Mountain Self-Advocates
Plain language 1-pagers in English and Spanish produced by the CA SDCC using guidance created by by the Green Mountain Self Advocates. Longer documents in English created by by the Green Mountain Self Advocates (self-advocates for self-advocates) and translated to Spanish by the CA SDCC.
National Health Law Program
The National Health Law Program (NHeLP) is monitoring the coronavirus pandemic. NHeLP is an organization dedicated to protecting and expanding access to health rights for low-income and underserved individuals. You will find an assortment of resources related to coronavirus from NHeLP here https://healthlaw.org/coronavirus-resources/
Winter/Cold Weather Emergency Preparedness Resources
Stay safe when extreme winter weather is possible! Prepare now. Know your area’s risk for winter storms. Be ready in case your community is without utilities or other services for long periods of time. Here are some resources that may be helpful:
CDC Be Ready for Winter Weather Infographic
FEMA - How to Prepare for a Winter Storm
Red Cross Winter Storm Safety List
Additional Emergency Resources
You can go to Ready.Gov at anytime to obtain emergency preparedness information. Other links:
https://www.ready.gov/individuals-access-functional-needs
https://www.ready.gov/floods
Be Informed video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u6vo9Q-Uq4
Build a kit video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJuDXorO9_g
Make a plan video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TybjwGLHA88&feature=youtu.be
Emergency Contacts
FEMA Region VI
FRC 800 North Loop 288
Denton, TX 76209
(877) 336-2627
FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com
Follow FEMA Region 6 on Twitter: @FEMARegion6
Region VI=Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, & Texas
American Red Cross
401 S. Monroe St.
Little Rock, AR 72205
(501) 748-1000
Red Cross Toll Free: 1 (800) 733-2767
Red Cross Shelters | Central Arkansas Now
http://centralarkansasnow.com/red-cross-shelters/
Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM)
Building 9501
Camp Joseph T. Robinson
North Little Rock, AR 72199
(501) 683-6700
https://www.adem.arkansas.gov/
Follow ADEM on Twitter: @AR_Emergencies
Arkansas Emergency Managers – ADEM Area Coordinators
Central Area (Counties: Marion, Baxter, Searcy, Stone, Van Buren, Cleburne, Conway, Faulkner, White, Perry, Pulaski, Lonoke, Prairie, Saline, Grant)
Clay Bewley
(501) 683-6700
Northwest Area (Counties: Benton, Carroll, Boone, Washington, Madison, Newton, Crawford, Franklin, Johnson, Pope, Sebastian, Logan, Scott, Yell)
Tim Gehring
(479) 938-0087
Northeast Area (Counties: Fulton, Randolph, Clay, Izard, Sharp, Lawrence, Greene, Independence, Jackson, Craighead, Poinsett, Mississippi, Woodruff, Cross, Crittenden, St. Francis, Lee)
Vacant
(870) 935-3094
Southwest Area (Counties: Polk, Montgomery, Garland, Hot Spring, Sevier, Howard, Pike, Clark, Little River, Hempstead, Nevada, Miller, Lafayette, Columbia)
Teresa Smith
(501) 580-9184
Southeast Area (Counties: Monroe, Jefferson, Arkansas, Phillips, Dallas, Cleveland, Lincoln, Desha, Ouachita, Calhoun, Bradley, Drew, Union, Ashley, Chicot)
LeeAnn Smith
(870) 534-1534
Local Emergency Management Coordinators A list of local coordinators - find your county and get to know your coordinator.
Additional Helpful numbers and links:
United Way Fort Smith Area: Sign up to volunteer or Donate: https://unitedwayfortsmith.org/
Arkansas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster: http://www.arvoad.org/
Salvation Army: (479) 783-6145
Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT)
10324 Interstate 30
Little Rock, AR 72209
501-569-2000
https://www.arkansashighways.com/
I Drive Arkansas, call or text 501-569-2374, or visit https://www.idrivearkansas.com/
Smart 911
Plan Ahead for Any Emergency! Give 9-1-1 the information they need to help you fast.
With Smart911, you can provide 9-1-1 call takers and first responders critical information you want them to know in any kind of emergency.
When you call 9-1-1, your Smart911 Safety Profile displays on the 9-1-1 screen and the 9-1-1 call takers can view your addresses, medical information, home information, description of pets, service animals, vehicles, and emergency contacts. You can provide as much or as little information as you like.
Don’t Get Left Behind!
During a disaster, at-risk individuals with access and functional needs require additional help before, during, and after an incident. With Smart911, at-risk individuals can sign up and share their medical and access and functional needs requirements with their community’s emergency managers. This online portal of at-risk residents helps emergency managers better plan and identify residents in need of assistance during a disaster.
Residents provide any information they wish to share during emergency planning, response, and recovery efforts. Participation in the access and functional needs registry is strictly voluntary and participants are encouraged to provide the following:
Full name, address, and contact information
Caregiver contact information
Medical conditions and medications
Nature of disability
Pets, service animals, livestock
Home power and utility information
Access to vehicle and ability (or inability) to evacuate
Communities across the country rely on Smart911 to better protect at-risk residents when large-scale emergencies and disasters strike. Don’t get left behind and sign up for Smart911’s access and functional needs registry.
Smart911 is a national service meaning your Smart911 Safety Profile travels with you and is visible to any participating 9-1-1 center nationwide.
SIGN UP NOW, click this link to go to the registration page for Smart 911
https://www.smart911.com/smart911/registration/registrationLanding.action
Your safety profile is free, private, and secure. Add as much or as little to your profile as you want. It’s up to you, and your information will only be seen if you ever have to call 9-1-1.
This page links to PDF files. Use this link to download Adobe Reader if needed.
