top of page

Statewide Disaster Relief Legal Resources for Youth Defenders

Writer's picture: NC OJDNC OJD

  1. Supreme Court Allowing Non-NC Lawyers to Provide Pro Bono Services to Helene Victims:

    1. On October 1, 2024, the North Carolina Supreme Court approved a temporary rule amendment allowing lawyers not licensed in North Carolina to immediately begin providing pro bono legal services to indigent victims of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Helene. The temporary rule permits lawyers licensed in other states but not in North Carolina, to register with the North Carolina State Bar and begin providing pro bono legal services through a legal services organization to victims of Helene without first obtaining approval from the State Bar Council. For more information or to apply, click here.

 

  1. NC Disaster Legal Services/Legal Aide of North Carolina:

    1. The North Carolina Bar Association, FEMA, the American Bar Association, and Legal Aid of North Carolina are collaborating to provide immediate pro bono legal assistance to Tropical Storm Helene survivors through the NC Disaster Legal Services Program.

      1. For assistance, call the LANC Disaster Legal Services Hotline at 1-866-219-5262. Lawyers can volunteer to help here.

      2. Additional information, including self-help materials about replacing lost documents, insurance claims, and more, can be found on Legal Aid’s website.

 

  1. NC Disaster Legal Services / Volunteer and Donate:

    1. The NCBA Young Lawyers Division coordinates NC Disaster Legal Services (DLS), a pro bono program run in partnership with Legal Aid of NC, FEMA, and the ABA Young Lawyers Division, with support from the NC Bar Foundation. In the wake of Tropical Storm Helene, the DLS program is ramping up to serve those affected in Western NC. NC attorneys are encouraged to share their time, expertise, and charitable support for the disaster recovery effort.

      1. Disaster Legal Services Volunteer Sign-up

      2. Donations to the DLS Fund will help move volunteer legal resources into affected areas to assist with issues including FEMA claims and appeals, habitability, school displacement, estate planning, and consumer protection. Please make a charitable donation to the NCBF Disaster Legal Services Fund.

 


Youth Defenders and their Clients

 

  1. Court Operations & Delays: The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) has issued updates regarding court closures, rescheduled hearings, and delays. Please check the North Carolina Judicial Branch website for specific information related to juvenile courts in your district. We advise contacting local clerks’ offices to confirm the status of upcoming hearings. Click here or copy and paste the following link: https://www.nccourts.gov/about/nc-administrative-office-of-the-courts 

 

  1. Mental Health Support:


    1. Youth Defenders:


      1. The NC Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP) is available to assist lawyers, judges, and law students who have been affected by Tropical Storm Helene and who need assistance with stress, anxiety, depression, substance abuse issues, or any other mental health concern. If you or a colleague needs assistance, please call our office at 919-719-9267. Your call, whether for yourself or with concern about a colleague, is totally confidential. Visit the LAP website for more information.


    2. Youth Clients: The trauma of a natural disasters can have a significant impact on children, particularly those already involved in the juvenile justice system. Several organizations are offering mental health and trauma support services:


      1. NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS): Crisis counseling and disaster mental health services are available. Call the NCDHHS Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 for immediate support.

      2. School Displacement & Education Needs: Many juveniles may be displaced from their homes and schools due to storm damage. Please be mindful of the potential educational impacts on your clients. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) has provided guidance on ensuring continuity of education for displaced students. Contact NCDPI for assistance in securing educational services for displaced youth.

    3. General:

      1. SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) Disaster Distress Helpline is the first national hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 to all residents in the U.S. and its territories who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. Call or text 1-800-985-5990 or click here to read more information.

      2. American Red Cross NC Region / Counseling Support: Call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990. Read more here.

 

  1. Emergency Housing & Shelter: 

    1. Some of your clients and their families may need assistance with temporary housing. The North Carolina Coalition to End Homelessness is coordinating efforts to connect individuals with shelter and housing services. Please direct families in need to their resources or visit https://www.ncceh.org  

    2. Ready NC: https://www.readync.gov/stay-informed/open-shelters

    3. American Red Cross of North Carolina: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.html


  2. Juvenile Detention Facility Updates: If you have clients currently held in a juvenile detention facility affected by the hurricane Helene, the Division of Juvenile Justice will provide updates on any changes in facility operations. We encourage you to stay in contact with these facilities, follow-up with colleagues, and monitor the well-being of detained juveniles.


  3. FEMA Assistance for Families: Families affected by Hurricane Helene can apply for federal disaster assistance at https://www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362. Legal support may also be necessary for navigating claims, particularly for vulnerable youth and their families.


Donate / Volunteer


  1. State of NC - NC Disaster Relief Fund:

    1. To donate by mail, please send your contribution to: North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund 20312 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699.

    2. To donate online click here.

 

  1. Support the North Carolina Disaster Legal Services Fund:

    1. To help support disaster legal services, please consider a donation to the NC Bar Foundation’s Disaster Legal Services Fund.

 

  1. Legal Aid NC: The non-profit law firm will deploy in disaster-stricken areas to help with FEMA aid applications, legal support, long-term housing, fraud cases, and more.

    1. To donate online click here.

    2. To sign-up for Disaster Legal Services Volunteer click here

    3. The organization operates a Legal Aid hotline 866-219-5262.

 

  1. Buncombe County Government:

    1. If you have donations, equipment, or have questions about specific needs, please email: helenedonations@buncombecounty.org

    2. If you want to volunteer, please email: helenevolunteers@buncombecounty.org

 

  1. Henderson County

    1. To learn how to donate supplies, please email: Helene-Donations@hcem.org

    2. To make a monetary donation online, you can go here.

    3. For volunteer info and additional details, visit the county's official Helene response website.

 

  1. Madison County Government:

    1. To volunteer on the ground, email disastervolunteer@madisoncounty.gov  

    2. Contact phone: 828-649-1815.

 

  1. American Red Cross of North Carolina:

    1. Donate by texting HELENE to 90999 or click here.

    2. Click here to become a volunteer.

    3. Click here to find a blood drive

 

  1. Donate: Baby wipes, nonperishable food, large trash bags, plastic utensils, cleaning supplies, toiletry items (toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap and etc), pet food, feminine hygiene products, work gloves, manual can openers and the like would be greatly appreciated.  Judge Justice basically indicated they have no supplies at the current moment. 


 


***Data retrieved from local government websites/ organizations by OJD. If you have any questions or notice any erros,, don't hesitate to contact us at 919-890-1642.


 

⬇ UPCOMING TRAININGS ⬇






 

 

21 views

Recent Posts

See All

Contact Info

PO BOX 2448

Raleigh NC 27602

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • Youtube

Subscribe 

© 2023 by OJD All Rights Reserved

bottom of page