Natural Disaster Resources
If you are currently experiencing an emergency, please call 911 or Cal Poly University Police at 805-756-2281.
Ways You Can Help
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Donate
You are able to directly donate to a variety of programs that are active on Cal Polys' campus. These donations are made available through their respective programs to eligible enrolled students, in addition to faculty and staff.
You may also chose to donate to a registered National Voluntary Organization who are dedicated to assisting those impacted by natural disasters. Your monetary donations are used directly to purchase goods/services to support those who have been impacted physically, emotionally, and or fiancially by a natural disaster.
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Volunteer Your Time
Volunteering your time with recognized disaster relief efforts and organizations is a generous way to help those affected by natural disasters. Below are some recognized organizations that seek the time and talent of their volunteers to make a difference in others lives.
American Red Cross | Become a Disaster Volunteer Red Cross | Volunteer in the Central Coast All Hands and Hearts| Volunteer The Salvation Army| Volunteer
Benefits
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CalPERs Health Plans | Accessing Medical Care During a Disaster
CalPERS health plans have provided information for members who may be impacted and/or displaced during a natural disaster. If employees are displaced or need medical care, use the CalPERS FAQs to connect with your health plan at or CalPERS directly at (888) 225-7377. The CalPERS FAQs offer detailed guidance on:
- Ensuring coverage during emergencies.
- Accessing your health plan ID card.
- Managing perscription refills.
- Updating Mailing Address | Contact benefits@calpoly@edu for address update requests.
- Submission of extensions for Benefit Enrollment Worksheets due to qualifying events or Dependent Eligablity Verification (DEV) recertifications.
CalPERS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) When Disaster Strikes, CalPERS is Here for You | Resource Article
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LifeMatters by Empathia - Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Empathia understands how overwhelming it can be to work through the emotional and physical toll of natural disasters. They provide individual assessment and referral, solution-oriented personal issue resolution, confidential face-to-face and virtual counseling, life management services, and other resources aimed at assisting members with a variety of issues including evacuation, rebuilding, and emotional healing.
This benefit is available to all staff, faculty, and household members. Household members do not have to enrolled in your current Cal Poly benefits and can include siblings, parents, in-laws, friends, etc.Eligible employees and their household members may contact the Benefits Team at benefits@calpoly.edu for Cal Polys' EAP Comapany Password.
Call Empathia at 805-367-7474 anytime and anyday. Counselors are available 24/7 365 days a year to support you and your household members.
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California Casulty Auto,Home,& Renters Insurance
CSU Policy holders that require assistance in filing a claim, may utilize California Casualty's new messaging feature on their website, call 800-800-9410 ( Option 4) or login into your account portal to file your claim.
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ARAG Legal Insurance
ARAG policy holders who have questions about the insurance coverage on their properties can access Immediate Advice attorneys who can aid as needed. Members can reach Immediate Advice attorneys by calling ARAG Customer Care at (800) 247-4184.
- Resources include support from Attorneys for Advice/Consultation. Example: What questions to ask their mortgage company if their home was destroyed or impacted during a natural disaster.
- Document Preparation/Review. Such as review of lease agreements to identify obligations of their landlord if a rental property was damaged in a natural disaster.
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VSP Vision Insurance
Impacted VSP members are eligible to receive no-cost eye care and replacement eyewear if your eyewear was lost in a natural disaster ( even if you've already used your yearly allowance.) Call VSP at 800-877-7195 for assistance.
Impacted Non VSP Members can contact their local Red Cross Chapter or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) for resources available to replace eyewear that was lost or broken due to a disaster. Assistance may include VSP Eyes of Hope gift certificates or an alternative solution.
VSP | Adults & Children in Need of Vision Care
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Delta Dental Insurance
Delta Dental is committed to provide access to care and assistance to impacted members during difficult times, including both during and following natural disasters. Delta Dental will make accommodations for members affected by natural disasters including but not limited to authorization of replacement of dental equipment ( retainers, dentures, partials) and access to an appropriate out of network provider, if an in-network provider in unavailable due to a state of emergency and or displacement.
Any member who has a special or extenuating circumstances as a result of wildfires or natural disasters are to call Delta Dental Customer Service for assistance at (800)-626-3108.
Delta Dental | Find a Provider Search Tool Delta Dental | Information for Impacted Delta Dental Members
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Fidelity Supplemental Retirement Plan - 403(b)
If you have a 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plan account through Fidelity Investments, you may be eligible to withdraw money from your account under certain circumstances, even while still working. Certain taxes and penalties may apply. To learn more and see what options may be available. Fidelity | CSU 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan FAQs
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Savings Plus Program
If you have a Savings Plus supplemental retirement savings account, you may be eligible to withdraw money from your account under certain circumstances, even while still working. Visit the Savings Plus website to see what options may be available. Certain taxes and penalties may apply.
Savings Plus | Natural Disaster Options
Leaves
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Medical Leave (FMLA)
Impacted employees who have experienced any of the following Qualified Life Events are eligible to request Family Medical Leave (FMLA ) for a length of up to 12 work weeks to care for themselves or eligible facility members.
- Birth of child, and or to care for a newborn child.
- Placement of employees child for adoption or foster care.
- Employees' own serious health condition that makes the employee unable to perform essential functions of their job.
- Qualifying Military Exigency Leave (MEL) arising out of the fact that the employee’s spouse, registered domestic partner, child, or parent is on active military duty in the National Guard or Reserve, or has been called to active duty in the National guard or Reserve in a “contingency” military operation.
- Service Member Care Leave (SMCL) for a covered service member with a serious injury or illness, if the employee is the spouse, registered domestic partner,child, parent, or next of kin of the service member
Shelly Giesmann | Disability Leaves Analyst-Specialist
Email: disabilityleaves@calpoly.edu, Phone: 805-756-5395
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Apply for Catastrophic Leave Program
The CSU has established a Catastrophic Leave Program for Natural Disasters/States of Emergency. This program allows employees to extend their leave by using donated time from colleagues. If there are sufficient donations in the Catastrophic Leave Bank, you may be able to continue your leave using this donated time.
If you are facing difficulties as a result of the recent disasters, please contact CSU San Luis Obispo's Leave and Disability Specialist for assistance with determining your eligibility for catastrophic leave.
Shelly Giesmann | Disability Leaves Analyst-Specialist
Email: disabilityleaves@calpoly.edu, Phone: 805-756-5395
Evacuation Assistance & Shelter
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Cal Poly Emergency On-Campus Housing (Current Students)
Students, including employees who have student status, that are in need of immedicate housing shouare eligible to complete the Cal Poly Care Grant Application. Cal Poly Cares provides limited fiancial assistance to currently enrolled students who are unable to meet immediate, and essential espenses due to hardships realted to an unexpected situation. If you have any questions regarding Cal Poly Cares Grant program or application please email studentsuccess@calpoly.edu for support.
Covered expenses can include but are not limited to the following:- Replacement of essential personal belongings due to fire, flood, theft, or natural disaster.
- Medications or costs related to emergency medical care (not covered by insurance).
- Car repairs due to an emergency situation.
- Assistance with rent or utilities due to an emergency situation.
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FEMA Text to Find Shelter Program
Those needing to find shelter, text SHELTER and your ZIP CODE to "43362" to get up to date shelter locations provided by FEMA. ( Msg and Date rates may apply).This service is available 24/7.
FEMA also offers a mobile app that allows users to receive real-time weather alerts, locate local emergency shelters, and prepeare for common hazards on any mobile device of your choice.Download FEMA App on Google Play Store (Andriod) Download FEMA App on Apple App Store (iOS)
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State of California | County Offices of Emergency Services ( Family,
Pets, &
Livestock)
Those seeking resources regarding local emergency and disaster prepardness information for your family, household pets, and lovestock may access the link below to gain access to a listing of all California counties respective Offices of Emergency Services/Management.
FEMA also has an app that allows users to receive real-time weather alerts, locate local emergency shelters, and prepeare for common hazards.Click to find your county specifc Office of Emergency Services
State, Federal, and Non-Profit Resources
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California Department of Social Services | Disaster Help Center
The CA Department of Social Services has designed a page to provide information and resources regarding public assistance & service available to individuals/ families impacted by California natural disasters, emergencies, and wild fires. Resources include housing, food/basics, health and counseling, insurance, replacing documents, rebuilding property, and employment.
Guides accessible on the CDSS website are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Armenian. Available Resources:Guide to Disaster Assistance Services for Californians Guide to Disaster Assistance Services for Immigrant Californians CA Social Services | Disaster Help Center Website
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California Fire Foundation | Save Program
The trauma experienced by fire survivors is unimaginable. Survivors often must flee their homes with nothing more than the clothes on their backs, and in the wake of a devastating fire, desperately need comfort and financial assistance. The California Fire Foundation is Supplying Aid to Victims of Emergencies by bringing immediate, short-term relief to victims of home fires throughout California by providing a $250.00 gift card to eligible survivors of fire and natural disasters by firefighters on the scene who are enrolled in the Save program. Funds allow survivors the ability to purchase basic necessities.
A list of participating California Fire Departments can be found below. ( San Luis Obispo City Fire Deparmtnet Local 352 and Santa Barbara City Fire Department Local 525 are both particpating Departments.)California Fire Foundation | Save Program Website List of SAVE Program Particiapting Departments
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California Department of Insurance
The California Department of Insurance (CDI) provides guidance and resources on insurance claims and disputes including health, homeowner/residential, pet, and home protection contracts. Contact them for assistance with insurance at 1-800-927-HELP (4357) or submit an inquiry via their website.
Additional resources on wildfire recovery & readiness can also be found on their website.California Department of Insureance Website CDI | Submit General Question or Inquiry Wildefire Recovery & Readiness
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Disaster Assistance Improvement Program (DAIP)
The Disaster Assistance Improvement Program’s (DAIP) mission is to provide disaster survivors with information, support, services, and a means to access and apply for disaster assistance through joint data-sharing efforts between federal, tribal, state, local, and private sector partners.
The DAIP website allows you to find disaster assistance, apply for disaster assistance online, get help with housing, and find programs to help with food/nutirion needs.Disaster Assistance Improvement Program Website DAIP | Apply for Assistance DIAP | Find Assistance
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Emergency Prepeardness | California Deparment of Aging
The California Department of Agining provides services and support for older adults and individuls with disabilities. Including prepearing for emergencies and focusing on safety during and after disasters or other emergency events.
CDA's Emergency Preparedness Guides are avaible in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, and Armenian.Department of Aging Website CA Department of Aging | Emergency Prepardness Guide
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California Department of Transportation (Cal Trans) | Transportation
Assistance
Cal Trans provides updates on road conditions including alerts regarding road closures, CHP indicents, and highway information via their website feature QuickMap. They also offer road information via phone at 1-800-427-7623 and have andriod and iOS apps available for download in your devices app store..
CalTrans Quick Map | Travel Alerts Download CalTrans Mobile App vis GooglePlay Store (Andriod) Download CalTrans Mobile App vis Apple App Store (iOS) Nation Weather Service | Weather Forecast
County Specific Resources
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San Luis Obispo County | Current Emergency Information
San Luis Obispo (SLO) county provides county specific emergency information including evacuation alerts, current incident information, and lists current local evacuation shelters in addition to warming/cooling centers available. Visit EmergencySlo.org for additional information.
Users may view the webpage in over 150 languages via built in Google Translate feature located at the top left hand side of the webpage.EmergencySlo.org San Luis Obispo | Evacuation Shelters San Luis Obispo | Adverse Weather Centers
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San Luis Obispo County | Resource List
Cal Poly Univeristy Personel has gathered San Luis Obispo (SLO) county specific resources to provide support to employees and their families physical, emaotional, and fiancial wellbeing.
Resource themes include:- Crisis & Hotlines
- Food Insecurity
- Caregiving ( Child/Elder Care)
- Grief/Counseling Support
- Housing Insecurity
- Support for Military, Veterans, & Families
- Tobacco, Drug, and Alcohol Use Support
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Santa Barbara County | Current Emergency Information
Santa Barbara (SB) county provides county specific emergency information including resources on how to prepeare for a natural disaster, information on events affecting the local community, road closures, animal evacuation assistance, and recovery resources for impacted community members.
Users may view the webpage in over 150 languages via built in Google Translate feature located on the right hand side of the webage.SB County |Emergency Prepeardenss, Response, and Recovery Sign up for Santa Barbara County (SBC) Alerts
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Solano County | Current Emergency Information
Solano County provides county specific emergency information including resources on how to prepare for a natural disaster, information on events affecting the local community, road closures, locating your evacuation zone, and recovery resources for impacted community members.
Users may view the webpage in 10 additional languages including Spanish,Portuguese, Tagalo, and Chinese. The webpage translation option is located at the top right hand corner.Solano County |Emergency Prepeardenss, Response, and Recovery Sign up for Alert Solano| Emergency Alert System
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Cal Poly Emergency On-Campus Housing (Current Students)
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CalPERs Health Plans | Accessing Medical Care During a Disaster