ValueOptions® Prepared for Hurricane Crisis Response
Behavioral health relief efforts ready for action
Norfolk, Virginia — SEPTEMBER 9, 2008
ValueOptions®, Inc., the nation's largest independent behavioral health care firm, is fully prepared to provide crisis and emergency response to victims and their families during the hurricane season.
In the Atlantic basin, hurricanes, tropical storms and tropical waves have been making their way toward the United States. When Hurricanes Gustav and Hanna made landfall, ValueOptions®' team of experienced responders quickly assembled and assisted those who needed help. ValueOptions® will continue to be on hand to provide behavioral health crisis services as Hurricane Ike approaches the U.S. mainland.
ValueOptions® played a pivotal role in providing behavioral health care in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Hurricane Katrina and last year's shootings at Virginia Tech. Actions the ValueOptions® National Crisis Response Team has taken to date in the 2008 hurricane season:
- Supporting and consulting with clients regarding preparedness issues and leadership during times of crisis;
- Delivering direct support in Dallas to the more than 1,000 Hurricane Gustav evacuees who sheltered at the convention center there;
- Placing crisis counselors on call and preparing to send them anywhere they may be needed;
- Providing our clients with direct information about various resources and materials that are available to assist them;
- Updating the Achieve Solutions® Web site with information about recovering from a hurricane and listing various other resources such as the numerous state, federal and other disaster response agencies;
- Posting some of these materials publicly for both our members and others on ValueOptions.com;
- Working closely with our clients in the affected areas to understand what other needs they may have and how we can best assist them; and
- Monitoring other needs and resources so we can offer further care and assistance, if necessary.
"Our well-seasoned team of experienced crisis responders is ready to take immediate action and help people whose lives are suddenly uprooted," said Barbara B. Hill, CEO of ValueOptions®. "I am proud of what our employees have done following Gustav and what we are prepared to do in response to other potential natural disasters."
"In severe weather, it's normal for people to feel a heightened sense of distress and worry," said Rich Paul, Vice President, ValueOptions® Health & Performance Solutions. "One of the best ways to cope and recover from the emotional toll brought on by a disaster, whether natural or man-made, is to protect both your mental health and physical health. We support our clients, their employees and families with the tools and information they need to make positive, healthy choices for the workplace and at home."