Special Needs Individuals are those with health or medical
conditions who meet the program criteria or need transportation
assistance during an evacuation. Those individuals meeting
program criteria are provided sheltering and/or transportation
assistance within the available resources of Seminole County.
Seminole County Special Needs shelters are mainly in elementary
schools.
The Seminole County Special Needs Program is a voluntary program
that should be considered by individuals who have NO alternative
than a public shelter or, need transportation to a shelter. The
Office of Emergency Management recommends using this program only
as a "last resort" and individuals with special needs should
consider sheltering with relatives or friends prior to the use
of a shelter.
If other alternatives are not available, individuals electing to
use a Special Needs shelter, or any public shelter, should bring
cots, bedding, medicine and medical supplies and food supplies
for each person to be self sufficient for at least 72 hours.
Criteria for Special Needs Emergency Shelter Program
An individual meets the medical criteria for assignment to the
Special Needs Emergency Shelter if:
They
require assistance with ostomy and indwelling catheter management.
Activities
of daily living are so restricted by immobility.
They have a
respiratory condition requiring special equipment such
as monitors or oxygen.
There may
be other conditions which would render an individual
eligible for special needs emergency sheltering. These will be considered by the review of the
registration form, by the Office of Emergency Management and
the Health Department.
The special needs
shelter is for those individuals who are not in a care facility,
such as a hospital, nursing home or congregate living facility.
These facilities are required to have an evacuation plan in
place for their residents and patients to be transported to
another healthcare facility. The Special Needs Emergency Shelter
Program is for disabled citizens who are not part of a group
facility and have no other alternative but to seek assistance
from the county.
How to Register for a Special Needs Shelter
If you feel you would qualify for the Special Needs Emergency
Shelter, you should print the registration form and return it to
the Office of Emergency Management. Individuals can register themselves or a family
member by using the same procedures. Seminole County Health
Department will review each application to verify qualification.
Home
health agencies are responsible for registering their clients
with the Seminole County Office of Emergency Management, which
maintains a database of special needs individuals. Individuals
or families of special needs persons should question their home
health provider to verify this is done on their behalf.
Responsibilities of a Person with Special Needs and their
caregiver
Caregivers from home health agencies are required to establish a
plan to conduct routine visits to their clients who are at a
special needs shelter. Where possible, each person staying at a
special needs shelter should be accompanied by one family member
or one companion who can serve as their caregiver for the
duration of their stay.
Once shelters are opened and you need transportation, please
contact the Citizens Information Line at (407) 665-0311.
If we can help further, contact us at:
Seminole County Office of Emergency Management
150 Bush Boulevard
Sanford, Florida 32773
(407) 665-5102
150 Bush Blvd