Dear Councils –I’m sure everyone knows of our tragic flood event that started last weekend in South Carolina. Many places had around 2 feet of water in the span of 3 days. That sounds
almost unfathomable to me! First let me say that we are all ok in the Council. We have been closed most of the week, because our office is in Columbia which was hit very hard. Thanks to Donna and Mat for reaching out to me to check on how we’re doing.
It was difficult to connect much except via my phone, which doesn’t recognize any of my groups. I have been busy checking on self-advocates and connecting people to resources they need. I have stayed in touch with our network of stakeholders and we’ve had
a call every day this week via our Functional Needs Planning Group – Red Cross, FEMA, other shelter folks and providers. We have had lots of challenges, but everyone has pulled together well and people in shelters have gotten necessary adaptive equipment,
medication and other things they needed. We will continue to meet daily as long as we need to. Many people had to leave their homes immediately with no belongings of any kind. Homes and vehicles were destroyed and last I had heard 17 people died because
of the flooding. Our Governor and other leaders were quick to request federal aid and last I heard we had 16 counties available for disaster aid – both as communities and individuals. It will take a long time to set things in order. We still have some communities
in danger. But South Carolina is strong and we will rebuild. We have had a tremendous outpouring of generosity and kindness. Our emergency responders have worked tirelessly as have our leaders. I still hope to get to the Directors’ Summit in Atlanta, but
not positive if that is possible. I should know next week. I hope this email finds all of you well and I’m sure very busy! Best regards, Val Bishop
Valarie Bishop
Director, Developmental Disabilities Council
Office of Executive Policy and Programs
The South Carolina
Department of Administration
1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 461, Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 734-0215 | (803) 734-0241 fax
Sheryl Matney, Director of Technical Assistance
National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities
Information and Technical Assistance Center for Councils on Developmental Disabilities (ITACC)
www.nacdd.org
www.itacchelp.org
xxxxxx@nacdd.org
202-506-5813 ext. 148
334-268-0245 (direct)
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