For the past week, teams of Children’s Service staff members have been reaching out across East and West Tennessee, assisting those who have been affected by the spring storms and floods.
“Our people have really been hitting it hard,” said Colette Crawley-Martin, who coordinates DCS disaster response with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.
Children’s Services staff members routinely pitch in when disaster strikes in Tennessee.
The DCS group specializes in community relations. They visit hard-hit areas, including neighborhoods and shelters, and make sure that storm and flood victims know the vast array of services that are available. “How to apply for disaster relief. How to get emergency food stamps. How to get mental health counseling. You name it. We can help them find it,” said Crawley-Martin.
They perform their community relations duties alongside FEMA representatives, and that work is coordinated by TEMA officials.
Currently, DCS workers are serving Tennesseans in upper and lower East Tennessee, where tornadoes recently touched down. In West Tennessee, they are working with those affected by high waters near the swollen Mississippi River and its tributaries. Right now, about 16 DCS staffers are on disaster duty, along with thousands of other local, state and federal employees, plus scores of relief groups.
“We’re in three parts of the state,” said Crawley-Martin, “and they really deserve some credit for pitching in.”
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