Voices of September 11th and Mental Health Association of New York City Awarded Grant To Assist in Outreach Effort to those Sickened after Working or Living in Downtown Manhattan after 9/11
Mary Fetchet of VOICES says — We are pleased to announce that Voices of September 11th has been awarded a grant which will fund a program to inform 9/11 rescue and recovery workers and other survivors about their potential eligibility for health care benefits to address their 9/11-related medical and mental health issues. We will partner with the Mental Health Association of New York City (MHA-NYC) to initiate an outreach program to inform eligible participants about the health care programs available to them and how they can register. The two-year grant is funded through the World Trade Center Health Program, which is administered by the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH), part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.)
Eligible participants will receive medical and mental health care administered by the World Trade Center Health Program. Created by the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Law, this federal program provides eligible responders and survivors annual medical examinations, treatment services and medications for 9/11 related illnesses.
“NIOSH is pleased to work with the organizations that were funded through the cooperative agreement award process to conduct outreach and education activities for the World Trade Center Health Program,” said Dr. John Howard, Administrator of the World Trade Center Health Program. “VOICES of September 11th, along with the other funded community based organizations, will be key to helping us reach those who are eligible to be enrolled into the WTC Health Program. The biggest measure of success is to make sure everyone who qualifies for this program enrolls and receives the care they deserve.”
Both VOICES and MHA-NYC are organizations with long histories of service to the 9/11 community. Their extensive experience providing support services to families, rescue and recovery workers and survivors will be key to working successfully with those most in need of the medical services provided in the World Trade Center Health Program. Outreach efforts will include educational presentations, speaking engagements, a social media campaign, and special events. This important call to action will target impacted individuals on a local and national level, and will include diverse populations, residents, corporations and local businesses.
Since 1996, MHA-NYC has been a leader in creating innovative solutions that combine technology and clinical expertise to address the emotional aftermath of crises and disasters on individuals, families, and communities. “MHA-NYC is proud to continue serving all those who were affected by 9-11, and we are also honored to partner with VOICES of September 11th to aid responders and survivors in locating important resources for treatment” said President and CEO of MHA-NYC, Giselle Stolper.
Mary Fetchet, Founding Director of Voices of September 11th, says that the organization has made a long-term commitment to providing information and support programs for the 9/11 community, providing a wide range of services for more than eleven years. “We are very excited to be a part of this critical effort to ensure that responders and survivors who were personally impacted by 9/11 receive vital medical care and mental health services available to them. It is especially meaningful to partner with the MHA-NYC, an organization that shares our commitment to providing services that address the ongoing needs of the 9/11 community.”
