Hurricane survivors are in need of assistance

This holiday season could be especially tough for survivors of the devastating hurricanes in the Gulf Coast, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is warning.

The federal agency has kicked off a new ad campaign to address those people uprooted by hurricanes Katrina and Rita, as well as the first responders to the storms.

The campaign includes television and radio spots, as well as a confidential, toll-free number, 800-789-2647, for hurricane victims to call for referrals to local services.

About half of the nearly 600 Hurricane Katrina victims who came to Utah in early September have made permanent homes here, and another hundred or so are estimated to have come here on their own.

An outreach team, headed by the Rev. France Davis of Calvary Baptist Church, has been formed to personally meet with each evacuee and assist them with services, including mental health needs, said Ron Stromberg with the state Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health.

"We've had that in place ever since the people moved off of Camp Williams and out into the community," he said.

The division is also referring those in need of additional assistance to Valley Mental Health, Stromberg said.

Additionally, the state has established a toll-free number for hurricane evacuees in need of services. That number is 866-764-0506.