[StBernard] Task Force Pelican Update: Week of October 31, 2005

[Westley Annis]

Task Force Pelican Update: Week of October 31, 2005 


In this issue: 
You Need To Know
Progress By The Numbers
Weekly Overview


________________________________


You Need To Know: 

Governor Blanco announces Executive Orders - Oct. 28, 2005
<http://www.gov.state.la.us/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&catID=1&article
ID=1103> 
Governor Blanco issued Executive Order No. KBB 2005-77- grants a delay of
the October 15, 2005 and November 12, 2005 elections in the parishes of
Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis and Vermillion.  

Governor Blanco issued Executive Order No. KBB 2005-78- which grants an
emergency occupation of hotel and motel rooms which rescinds Executive Order
No. KBB 2005-24.

Governor pleased with White House actions on Community Disaster Loans - Oct.
26, 2005
<http://www.gov.state.la.us/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&catID=3&article
ID=1096>  

Governor Blanco's Statement about White House decision rescinding unfair
prevailing wage decision. - Oct. 26, 2005
<http://www.gov.state.la.us/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&catID=3&article
ID=1097> 

Governor Blanco and EBRP School System Superintendent Charlotte Placide open
new school health center. - Oct. 25, 2005 
<http://www.gov.state.la.us/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&catID=1&article
ID=1063> Health Care Centers in Schools is proud to be opening the newest
school based health care center in Louisiana. East Baton Rouge Parish School
System Superintendent Charlotte Placide is proud to welcome Louisiana Gov.
Kathleen Blanco to Scotlandville Middle School, the site of the new center.



________________________________

Progress By The Numbers:

Economic Development 
 FEMA re-launched the Worksite Housing program on October 13. As of October
27, LED has coordinated delivery of 4,900 trailers for housing employees on
a temporary basis. As of October 25, 2005: 205 bridge loans have been
approved, totaling $4,978,955

Housing Task Force
The State continues to identify property for potential usage in placing
housing units for displaced citizens. 
o State Land................................53,000 acres 
o Recreational Vehicle sites..........1,600 
o Group sites...............................6,000 
o Cabins......................................   230 

Businesses are obtaining temporary housing for their employees as they
resume operations:
o Travel trailer requests processed...............2,578
o Travel trailers delivered.............................2,458 
o Employees and their families housed..........3,228 

Re-enrollment of Displaced College and University Students
Total students displaced (Katrina & Rita)- 83,000
o Displaced students re-enrolled at different LA institutions-  11,430
o Displaced students re-enrolled at out of state institutions-  12,500
o McNeese (being re-enrolled gradually as conditions allow)-  4,500
o UNO (at satellite campuses and through electronic course delivery)-  6,900
o Sloan Semester (electronic course delivery)-  1,500
o Total: 36,830

*Approximately 46,000 students remain displaced.

Utilities and Communication
Local, state and federal agencies are working with utility providers to
restore power and communications. As of Monday, October 24, 2005
approximately 129,349 Louisianians are without power.  Of that number,
122,312 outages are Katrina-related, and 7,037 are Rita-related.
Approximately 269,278 Louisianians are without telephone service and 25,450
are without natural gas utilities.

Fatalities
At this time, state officials, working in conjunction with coroners from
local parishes, have recovered 1,062 bodies. This is an increase from 1,061
recovered bodies reported on Oct. 25, 2005.

Support Services
Approximately 2,872 citizens remain in 79 general population shelters in
Louisiana, and 1,367 citizens remain in State Park and Church Camps in
Louisiana. As of Oct. 28, 8 foster children were unaccounted for. 99.5%
located. Number of LA children who remain on the NMEC website as looking for
their parents (unaccompanied minors): 0  More than $286 million in emergency
food stamp benefits has benefited victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Approximately 359,805 households are receiving Disaster Food Stamp Benefits
due to hurricane Katrina and 150,880 due to hurricane Rita.

Corrections
 As of Friday, October 28th, 2005, the Department is coordinating housing
for 5,721 inmate evacuees.
o State facilities are housing 3,126 inmates (include post-Katrina
arrestees).
o Local facilities are housing 1,818 inmates.
o Federal facility in Coleman, Florida is housing 777 inmates.
 Probation and Parole officers have located 80% (200 of 250) of registered
sex offenders under supervision from the New Orleans area.

National Guard Soldiers 
Approximately 12,000 National Guard Soldiers remain under the command of
Governor Kathleen Blanco

________________________________

Overview

This is Day 63 since Hurricane Katrina made landfall and Day 37 since
Hurricane Rita made landfall. 

Louisiana Recovery Authority Updates
<http://www.gov.state.la.us/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&catID=8&article
ID=1122>  - Louisiana Recovery Authority representatives take their agenda
to Washington ; Louisiana Recovery and Rebuilding Conference to be Held in
New Orleans, November 10-12

Louisiana Department of Economic Development Updates
<http://www.gov.state.la.us/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&catID=8&article
ID=1121>  - Worksite Housing Program; 205 bridge loans have been approved,
totaling $4,978,955; Louisiana Economic Development (LED) receives $4
million grant from Economic Development Administration; LED Secures
International Economic Development Council Anti-Poaching Committment;
LEDForward Campaign continues to provide support for hurricane impacted. 

LA Swift Commuter Service Begins Monday, October 31
<http://www.gov.state.la.us/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&catID=8&article
ID=1120>   - The Louisiana Department of Labor and the Louisiana Department
of Transportation and Development are pleased to announce the launching of
LA Swift a commuter service, providing daily, roundtrip transportation from
Baton Rouge to New Orleans - free of charge.

Louisiana Housing Task Force
<http://www.gov.state.la.us/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&catID=8&article
ID=1119>  - The State of Louisiana and the parishes across the state
continue to identify property for potential usage in placing housing units
for our displaced citizens. 

Business Recovery Updates
<http://www.gov.state.la.us/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&catID=8&article
ID=1118>  - The Department of Labor, along with the several federal and
state agencies, including the Department of Economic Development, is
operating several Business Recovery Centers in the storm-affected areas. 

Unemployment Insurance and Disaster Assistance
<http://www.gov.state.la.us/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&catID=8&article
ID=1117>  - Labor department to employers: Contact us, file quarterly
reports; Lake Charles worker's comp court re-opens; Hurricane Katrina causes
unemployment rate to double. 

Education Updates
<http://www.gov.state.la.us/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&catID=8&article
ID=1116>  - Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, Dr.
Henry Johnson joined Superintendent Picard and other education leaders at a
forum to discuss the future of education in Louisiana after Hurricanes
Katrina and Rita.

Board of Regents Updates -
<http://www.gov.state.la.us/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&catID=8&article
ID=1115> Bob Kerrey Headlined Louisiana Higher Ed Forum; Displaced College
Faculty, Staff Urged To Contact Home Campuses Through Board of Regents
Faculty Registry; "Sloan Semester" Providing Hurricane-Displaced Students
Viable Option for Continuing Studies

Road Closure Updates
<http://www.gov.state.la.us/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&catID=8&article
ID=1114>  

Environmental Updates
<http://keelson.eatel.net/websites/la.gov/action.cfm?md=communication&task=a
ddClick&msg_ID=334&ID=d%21i%24emi%29nWnf&redirect=http://www.deq.louisiana.g
ov> 

Oil Infrastructure Operations
<http://www.gov.state.la.us/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&catID=8&article
ID=1113> 

Fatalities* (DHH Updates)
<http://www.gov.state.la.us/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&catID=8&article
ID=1112>  - Updated Number of Deceased Victims Recovered Following Hurricane
Katrina

Disaster Food Stamp Updates
<http://www.gov.state.la.us/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&catID=8&article
ID=1111>  - Disaster Food Stamp Program Comes To Close 

 Mandatory Evacuation Orders Katrina & Rita
<http://keelson.eatel.net/websites/la.gov/action.cfm?md=communication&task=a
ddClick&msg_ID=334&ID=d%21i%24emi%29nWnf&redirect=http://www.ohsep.louisiana
.gov>  
o Katrina - Mandatory Evacuation Orders are still in effect in Orleans,
Jefferson, Plaquemines and St. Bernard Parishes. 
o Rita -  Mandatory Evacuation Orders are still in effect in Calcasieu,
Cameron and Jefferson Davis Parishes. 

Corrections Information
<http://www.gov.state.la.us/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&catID=8&article
ID=1110>  - The Department continues to monitor progress at both Jefferson
and Orleans Parish prison facilities to coordinate the return of inmates
back to their original facilities.

Wildlife and Fisheries Information
<http://www.gov.state.la.us/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&catID=8&article
ID=1109>  - L.D.W.F Oyster Lease Survey Section Moves to Baton Rouge;
L.D.W.F Providing Extra Time to Prepare for Discover Louisiana Hunting
Weekend

### 

The Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation (LDRF), Louisiana's fund for
Louisiana's people, has been established by Governor Kathleen Babineaux
Blanco in order to support long-term family restoration and recovery and
help provide assistance to our citizens in need through a network of
Louisiana charities and non-profit agencies. 

1-877-HELPLA1 (877-435-7521) www.louisianahelp.org