Tools to Weather All of Life’s Storms
Trillium partners with health care providers and community stakeholders to build and strengthen foundations of well-being and help deepen connections between citizens and their communities. Our Community Crisis and Disaster Response team works within each of our counties to ensure communities are prepared in the event of natural disasters, public health situations, or behavioral health crises. We collaborate with the local and state Emergency Operations Center during and after events, to help share vital information with our stakeholders and the public along with assessing improvements that may be needed for the future.
We are trusted experts with deep roots and relationships within the counties we serve. We are proud of these relationships and understand how important they are not just in everyday life, but especially when emergencies arise. Our Roadmap2Ready campaign was developed with guidance from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), Federal Emergency Management Federation (FEMA), and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety to help prepare our communities for the hurricane season. The Hurricane Season is from June 1 to November 30.
Hurricanes require planning for the time periods before, during, and after any storm. The Community Crisis and Disaster Response team created three campaigns to assist members and providers with being prepared in the event of a natural disaster. Please see below for what kinds of information and action items Trillium will share during each phase.
Trillium will launch our Emergency Operations procedure when necessary. We will use this page to share updates and directions as appropriate. While Trillium staff are not considered first responders, we do assist providers and members once the immediate danger has passed. Trillium’s Call Center will remain active during Emergency Operations but ONLY for the Member & Recipient Service Line (1-877-685-2415). Please do not use the Administrative and Business or Provider Support Service Line and instead use staff emails. In all areas, 911 should be used for TRUE PHYSICAL HEALTH EMERGENCIES. Trillium staff are not first responders and will not be able to physically attend to emergencies in the community.
Click the image and Learn how to prepare
Hurricane Season Readiness for Members
This Roadmap2Ready webpage includes hurricane season readiness tips and resources from local, state and federal programs. Being aware of resources prior to a disaster can assist with stress that may be experienced post disaster. It is common to have stress after exposure to a disaster and it is important to monitor your emotional health. Learn more about the warning signs and risk factors for emotional distress on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMSHA) website. The following are resources that can be accessed if you experienced emotional distress after a hurricane:
- Trillium Health Resources Member & Recipient Services Line: 1-877-685-2415
- Mobile Crisis: Integrated Family Services (1-866-437-1821) and RHA (1-844-709-4097)
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
- Disaster Distress Hotline: 1-800-985-5990 or view the SAMSHA website for additional information
Plan ahead for emergencies and consider your specific needs. Learn about planning for emergencies by visiting Make a Plan from Ready.gov. Accurate information about COVID-19 and hurricanes can be found at the CDC website. ReadyNC provides guidance on how to make a plan, and has American Sign Language (ASL) videos available on their website. The North Carolina Department of Public Safety launched Know your zone an evacuation look up tool to help you know when to evacuate your home as a hurricane approaches.
Build your kits as Ready.gov suggests both a kit at home and a “go bag” if you must leave your home. Kits look different because of COVID-19 and kits should include a one-month supply of medications. Learn what should be included in your kits. Disaster preparation for an individual with a disability or functional needs can be found at Ready.gov and Ready NC. Sample items to include in kits are food and water (for multiple days for all members of household), flashlights and batteries, and face masks.
Stay informed by seeking reliable sources. For severe weather updates add the FEMA app. For local emergency alert apps see Ready to Know your Alerts and Warnings. Locate Emergency Shelters at the ReadyNC website. Visit the ReadyNC website for resources and ASL videos. Learn more about Hurricane Safety and what a Hurricane Watch versus Hurricane Warning means by visiting the National Weather Service website and by reviewing the Safety brochure.
Click the image to view Hurricane Season Readiness
Hurricane Season began June 1 and ends November 30. To make sure you are ready now, not when a storm arrives in our region, start making your plan.
Hurricane Season Readiness for Providers
If you experience any impacts from the storm, please alert Trillium using this link Changes in Provider Operations
When we “Plan, Prepare, and Practice,” we can lessen the impacts of a hurricane. This Roadmap2Ready webpage includes links for readiness tips and resources for the hurricane season. Remember that no plan can be effective if it's not practiced and properly executed.
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Plan by establishing planning objectives such as knowing the risk, how to maintain safety, and promotion of personal and family disaster planning by staff members. Learn more about how behavioral health providers can plan for disasters by visiting the SAMHSA website. Additionally, review the Hurricane Guide on the ReadyNC website for disaster preparation tips for small businesses. |
| Prepare and Mitigate by knowing the type of impact a major storm could have on your systems and infrastructure (computers, copiers, fax machines), staffing, members, and suppliers. What resources can help minimize damage, disruptions, and injuries? Learn more about how to identify and plan for these impacts on your organizations and the resources which can minimize these impacts on the Ready.gov Toolkit. |  . |
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Practice by training your staff on your emergency plan and refer to www.ready.gov/hurricanes for additional guidance. To learn about practicing your emergency plan while using a tabletop exercise refer to this Ready.gov toolkit. Remember to utilize reliable sources while planning, preparing, and practicing your emergency plan. |
| Be proactive by preparing for a weather emergency. When we “Plan, Prepare, and Practice,” we can lessen the impacts of a hurricane. |  . |
News/Resources:
There are many reputable, experienced national and state organizations who provide comprehensive information for disaster response and preparation. Please view the sites below for more information. In addition, we will use this area after future storms to post up to date information about open shelters, resources, and more.
- SAMHSA
- Hope4NC
- Red Cross
- CDC (Website contains American Sign Language Videos)
- FEMA
- FEMA-12 Ways to Prepare
- Ready.gov (Website contains American Sign Language Videos)
- ReadyNC.gov (Website contains American Sign Language Videos)
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