Status of DSDHH regional centers & contact information for Helene recovery

North Carolina Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing shares the status of the two affect regional centers and contact information for Helene recovery.
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Visual description: NC DSDHH Wilson Regional Center’s Interpreting Services Specialist Richard Watkins, Jr., wearing black buttoned shirt standing in front of navy wall.
Richard signing: Hurricane Helene has truly devastated the western North Carolina mountains and foothills. Our hearts go out to those affected by it. Those affected include staff at two of our seven regional centers in Asheville and Morganton. Fortunately, they are okay, and our regional centers are operational but very limited. We have another five regional centers with staff already working to provide support to the communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. We at DSDHH have been reaching out to many individuals to check on them, but we also could use your help. If you know of a Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, Deaf with other disabilities and older Deaf, Hard of Hearing or DeafBlind individuals who are okay or are stuck or in need of assistance, please contact us at [e-mail], text at [phone] and videophone at [phone] during business hours of 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Email, VP and text numbers are not for emergencies. If it’s emergency, please call or text 911. The purpose of these contact methods is to let us know that you as a Deaf, Hard of Hearing or DeafBlind person or someone you know in the Deaf, Hard of Hearing or DeafBlind community are okay and what your situation is like. We want to be able to link you with the right resources or make sure you get the right services as quickly as possible to help you recover from this disaster. Resources and services like assistance in completing disaster assistance application, food & water distribution sites, available shelters, and more. When you email or call us, please leave your name, the best way to contact you through VP, email or text messaging. Allow us 2 to 3 business days to respond back to you. Please know it may take a while to get help - so many roads, businesses, and agencies are badly damaged and so many people need help. However, we are committed to providing support in the next weeks and months. We hope that the email address, text and videophone (VP) numbers will allow us to provide you or your loved ones the support that is needed. This helps us to follow up and keep track for the state’s recovery process. The recovery will take a long time, but please know we are committed to help. Thank you for your support.
Fade Out/In visual description: Black screen with white font, “Created by NC Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard Hearing”. State of NC logo with Great Seal of NC is visible at bottom of screen with NC Department of Health and Human Services.
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