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OVC's Victim Assistance Center

Director's Message. September 11: Two Years Later

OVC offers the following resource links for victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks, organized by—

Notices

The OVC Handbook for Coping After Terrorism is now available in Spanish, French, and Chinese. Visit OVC's Foreign Language Publications page.

Notices Archive

Contact Information

OVC's Victim Assistance Center
Terrorism victim hotline: 1-800-331-0075 (toll free)
Hearing Impaired: 1-800-833-6885 (TTY)
International Callers: 00-1-414-359-9751 (call collect)
9 a.m.–5 p.m. EST Monday–Friday (GMT -5)
Translation Services Available
Victims and families of victims of the terrorist attacks can obtain information and assistance, including referrals for housing, financial, mental health counseling, and other resources, by calling OVC's victim family assistance call center at 1-800-331-0075. Please do not call this hotline unless you are a family member or a victim.

9/11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program
www.september11fund.org/papers.php?id=mental
This program was created by the September 11th Fund and the American Red Cross. It provides a mental health treatment benefit at little or not cost for those directly affected by the September 11th disaster, regardless of where they now live. An Assistance Guide is also available for finding help.

September 11th Victim Compensation Program
http://www.usdoj.gov/victimcompensation/index.html
As a result of Public Law 107-42 and the final regulations released on March 7, 2002, this DOJ program provides compensation to any individual who was physically injured or to the personal representative of any individual who was killed as a result of the terrorist-related aircraft crashes of September 11, 2001. The Special Master is making advance benefits available to eligible individuals. Requesters must complete and submit an Eligibility Form and Application for Advance Benefits.

American Red Cross
September 11th Call Center
1-877-746-4987
(For information and access to all Red Cross services.)

Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. (COPS)
573-346-4911

www.nationalcops.org
COPS is a nationwide nonprofit organization assisting survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
301-447-1365

www.firehero.org
Since 1992, the nonprofit Foundation has developed and expanded programs to honor our fallen fire heroes and assist their families and coworkers. In response to our national tragedy, the Foundation is working with FEMA and USFA to ensure that all necessary support systems are in place so to best meet the needs of the fire service family.

The Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program (PSOB)
1-888-744-6513 (toll free)

The Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program, administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, assists public safety officers, their agencies, and their families before, during, and after a tragedy occurs.

Report Terrorist Activity
www.ifccfbi.gov/index.asp
If you would like to provide information pertaining to the criminal acts or other possible terrorist activity, please report any information to your local Federal Bureau of Investigation field office.

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Related Web Sites

American Psychological Association (APA)
www.apa.org
A mobilized APA is providing volunteer services and educational support, including special coverage on coping with terrorism. Visit APA's Web site for more information on help with trauma and useful resources.

Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS)
www.mentalhealth.org/cmhs/
CMHS works in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in overseeing national efforts to provide emergency mental health services to survivors of Presidentially declared disasters.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
www.fbi.gov
The FBI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Justice. Its mission is to protect the United States from terrorist and foreign intelligence activities; investigate violations of federal criminal law; and provide assistance to federal, state, local, and international agencies.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
www.fema.gov
FEMA works in conjunction with different agencies to provide emergency and disaster relief. FEMA's web site offers disaster news and emergency management information.

September 11th Assistance Guide
This searchable directory helps people affected by the WTC attacks locate services, from counseling to housing assistance. Service Coordinators are available to keep individuals information about programs, benefits, and services and to develop plans to meet their special situation. Call the hotline at 866-689-HELP (4357).

United States Department of State
www.state.gov
The State Department's provides news updates on the terrorist attacks and travel advisories. The Department advances U.S. objectives and interests in shaping a freer, more secure, and more prosperous world through its primary role in developing and implementing the President's foreign policy.

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Publications

Crisis Management

Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program: Responding to Victims of Terrorism and Mass Violence Crimes (February 2002)
This brochure (BC 000663) describes the OVC Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program, which provides federal funds to support crisis response, consequence management, criminal justice support, crime victim compensation, and training and technical assistance during crisis aftermath.

Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program (PDF 46 kb or ASCII 26 kb)—Instructions for communities affected by terrorism to apply online for funds through OJP's Grants Management System (GMS).

OVC Handbook for Coping After Terrorism: A Guide to Healing and Recovery (September 2001)
This OVC handbook (NCJ 190249) provides victims of terrorism with information based on the expertise of mental health, crisis counseling, and victim assistance professionals. The handbook is intended to help such victims understand their reactions to an act of terrorism or mass violence. Also available in other languages.

OVC Responds to the Victims of Terrorist Attacks Against America on September 11, 2001
The threat of terrorism and criminal mass violence against Americans, both in the United States and abroad, has increased in recent years. This fact sheet describes an array of services and assistance developed by OVC in conjunction with other federal agencies to help crime victims and communities affected by terrorism or mass violence.

Providing Relief to Families After a Mass Fatality: Roles of the Medical Examiner's Office and the Family Assistance Center (November 2002)
This bulletin (NCJ 188912) offers medical examiners, coroners, and victim assistance professionals guidance, resources, and lessons learned about working with victims' families after a mass fatality event. Recommendations are drawn from the disaster response practices used by the National Transportation Safety Board and the experiences of the Oklahoma City Medical Examiner's Office during the aftermath of the 1995 terrorist bombing in that city.

Responding to Terrorism Victims: Oklahoma City and Beyond (NCJ 183949)
This report identifies special measures needed to protect the rights and meet the needs of victims of a large-scale terrorist attack involving mass casualties.

Terrorism and International Victims Unit (January 2002)
This fact sheet (FS 000276) provides information on the services that OVC provides to terrorism and international victims within the United States and abroad.

Victim Issues

In the Aftermath of Crisis: Parents’ Guide for Talking to their Children
This is another help tool developed by the National Center for Children Exposed to Violence (NCCEV) and recently updated in response to the September 11th terrorist attacks. The NCCEV bulletin summarizes what reactions in children to expect, what questions they are likely to have, and how to respond to such questions. Contact information for obtaining more answers is provided.

In the Aftermath of Terrorism
This tip sheet by the National Center for Children Exposed to Violence (NCCEV) describes what to watch for in children dealing with trauma. Also offers contact information for obtaining help in the aftermath of violence.

Death Notification: Breaking the Bad News With Concern for the Professional and Compassion for the Survivor—A Seminar for Crime Victim Advocates (NCJ 162360)
This document contains guidelines on trauma and death notification that were developed by Mothers Against Drunk Driving as part of a seminar for professional counselors and victim advocates.
Abstract and ordering information

From Pain to Power: Crime Victims Take Action (NCJ 166604)
This monograph chronicles ways in which many crime victims are channeling their pain into helping others, improving their communities, and healing themselves at the same time it describes opportunities for victims who want to become active in their communities and recommends ways for victim service programs to involve victims in community service.
ASCII (70 kb), PDF (750 kb), or HTML

Hope for Recovery: Understanding Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
This booklet, written in sympathetic language, seeks to dispel the myths about PTSD that keep many people from recognizing the problem and obtaining help. This booklet and accompanying video by the PTSD Alliance are free of charge.
Abstract and ordering information
Also available in PDF (312 kb)

A LifeCare Digest on Coping with Tragedy
This Life Event Management Series digest, developed by LifeCare®, offers tips and information on taking care of yourself, helping others cope, and talking to your children about violence. Also includes a resources list in response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Meeting the Mental Health Needs of Crime Victims (video) (NCJ 167235)
This video presents a panel discussion of issues related to the need for and provision of mental health services to crime victims.
Abstract and ordering information

PTSD: A Guide for Frontline Professionals
This 20-page booklet is designed as a primer for “frontline” professionals who interact with trauma survivors and people suffering from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. This new professional guide by the PTSD Alliance is free of charge.
Abstract and ordering information
Also available in PDF (257 kb)

Working with Grieving Children: A Guidebook for Crime Victim Assistance Professionals (NCJ 165814)
This guidebook is intended as a "quick reference" for victim assistance professionals in their work with children, parents, school teachers and counselors, clergy members, and others as they address the needs of grieving children who have been touched by the death of a family member or close friend.

Get Acrobat ReaderDownload Adobe Acrobat Reader to read all PDF documents.

NCJRS Online Ordering SystemYou may order these OVC publications using the NCJRS Online Ordering System.

Ask for ordering assistance by calling OVCRC at 1-800-851-3420 (TTY 1-877-712-9279)

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This document was last updated on March 19, 2003

This document was last updated on February 09, 2004