Supreme Court Allowing Non-NC Lawyers to Provide Pro Bono Services to Helene Victims:
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.
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NC Disaster Legal Services/Legal Aide of North Carolina:
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.
For assistance, call the LANC Disaster Legal Services Hotline at 1-866-219-5262. Lawyers can volunteer to help here.
Additional information, including self-help materials about replacing lost documents, insurance claims, and more, can be found on Legal Aid’s website.
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NC Disaster Legal Services / Volunteer and Donate:
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.
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.
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Youth Defenders and their Clients
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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-courtsÂ
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Mental Health Support:
Youth Defenders:
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.
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:
NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS):Â Crisis counseling and disaster mental health services are available. Call the NCDHHS Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 for immediate support.
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.
General:
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.
American Red Cross NC Region / Counseling Support: Call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990. Read more here.
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Emergency Housing & Shelter:Â
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 Â
Ready NC:Â https://www.readync.gov/stay-informed/open-shelters
American Red Cross of North Carolina:Â https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.html
Juvenile Detention Facility Updates:Â 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.
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
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Support the North Carolina Disaster Legal Services Fund:
To help support disaster legal services, please consider a donation to the NC Bar Foundation’s Disaster Legal Services Fund.
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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.
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Buncombe County Government:
If you have donations, equipment, or have questions about specific needs, please email: helenedonations@buncombecounty.org
If you want to volunteer, please email: helenevolunteers@buncombecounty.org
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Henderson County
To learn how to donate supplies, please email: Helene-Donations@hcem.org
To make a monetary donation online, you can go here.
For volunteer info and additional details, visit the county's official Helene response website.
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Madison County Government:
To volunteer on the ground, email disastervolunteer@madisoncounty.gov Â
Contact phone: 828-649-1815.
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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.Â
Nort Carolina Department of Public Safety - Tropical Storm Helene: https://www.ncdps.gov/our-organization/emergency-management/hurricane-helene
North Carolina State Bar Statewide Disaster Relief Legal Resources - Tropical Storm Helene: https://www.ncbar.gov/news-publications/news-notices/2024/09/statewide-disaster-relief-legal-resources-tropical-storm-helene/
***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 ⬇
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