Austin ISD's number one priority continues to be the safety of our students, families and staff members. Below is a list of the resources available to our school community, information on employee time off and ways you can help.
Time Off for Employees Affected by Flood
We understand that many staff members who work or live in the affected neighborhoods may have had difficulties getting to work during the aftermath of the flooding. AISD will excuse absences and/or shortened workdays on Thursday, Oct. 31 or Friday, Nov. 1 that may have occurred as a result of the severe weather. Wages will paid and will not affect employees' leave accounts. If you, or a district employee that you know, have suffered extensive damage to your personal property due to the recent floods and need special consideration for paid leave to provide you with time and continued income to address relocation and/or restoration of your premise and belongings, please contact Michael Houser, Chief Human Capital Officer, at mhouser@austinisd.org or call 512-414-2714. AISD will need a brief description of the actions that you are now taking to address the aftermath of the floods in regards to your loss and the anticipated paid leave time that you feel will be necessary. AISD will assist all impacted employees with paid leave to every extent possible.
Employee Assistance Program
If you or anyone you know on our AISD staff were affected by this event and need guidance and counseling assistance, please have them contact the Employee Assistance Program through Jerry Webb at 512-414-9687. The Employee Assistance Program is a gateway to access online options for employees, and their household, to maintain a healthy balance between work, family and individual needs. You will find a host of information that is easy to access in specific areas of interest including relationships, emotional well-being, health, personal growth, legal and financial.
Food, Water, Shelter, School Supplies, Transportation and Counseling
Families who need support with food, water or shelter may find resources at the Dove Springs Recreation Center at 5801 Ainez Drive or by calling (512) 447-5875. You may also call the Family Resource Center at Mendez Middle School at 512-841-1016 between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Water, bread and baby formula are available at the resource center, as well as school supplies and school transportation information for AISD students who have been displaced from their home.
City-wide Transportation
Families in need of transportation assistance can call the Red Cross at 512-974-0999. Capital Metro is also providing transportation assistance between the Onion Creek area and Dove Springs Recreation Center shelter.
Donations
To make an online donation to support Red Cross Disaster Relief, please visit www.redcross.org. You can also donate by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
Additionally, the Family Resource Center at Mendez Middle School is seeking donations of shoes. Please call 512-841-1016 to see how you can assist.
While families of school children in Southeast Austin communities such as Dove Springs are being helped by agencies and school staff members, the district's parent support specialists have noted families remain in need of donations for:
- Gift cards to stores such as Target and Walmart
- Feminine hygiene products
- Cleaning supplies
- Canned food
- Heavy duty trash bags
- Bath towels and
- Blankets.
Donations of these items may be delivered to the district's Family Resource Center at Mendez Middle School, 5106 Village Square Portable #3. For more information, please contact the AISD center at 512-841-1016.
Volunteering
The Austin Disaster Relief Network and the Red Cross are still seeking volunteers to help provide relief to families affected by last week's flooding. To learn how you can help Austin Disaster Relief Network, please call 512-331-2600 or visit www.adrntx.org/index.php/central-tx-flood-news. To volunteer with the Red Cross, please call 512-928-4271 or visit http://www.redcross.org/support.
- Warehouse Volunteers
The community need volunteers to manage and sort donated items at Oak Meadow Church, 6905 S. IH 35, in South Austin. To sign up for a shift, please click here.
- CISM & Chaplain Trained Volunteers
CISM & Chaplain volunteers are needed to debrief provide ministry to the numerous traumatized survivors. To sign up for a shift, please click here. - Clean Up Volunteers
Volunteers are needed to help clean up affected homes. The initial meeting site will be at the Crossroads Christian House of Prayer, 5201 William Cannon. To sign up for a shift, click here.
- Shepherds to Sponsor Families
More than 100 families will likely need sponsorships to aid in their recovery. A training is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 3 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Westoak Woods Baptist Church, 2900 W. Slaughter Lane.To sign up, click here. - Donated Goods
Gift cards to Walmart and HEB as well as furniture, household items, water, clothing, toiletries, baby items and toys are greatly needed. These can be dropped off at the warehouse located at Oak Meadows Baptist Church, 6905 S. IH 35.
The Family Resource Center at Consuelo Mendez Middle School, 5106 Village Drive, is also accepting similar donations. Clothing donations should be sorted and dropped off in bags labeled with the type of clothing, for example: "Adult male," "Adult female," Girls size 5," etc. The center is open weekdays and Saturday, Nov. 2 from 8 a.m, to 5 p.m. Call 512-841-1016. Learn More. - Call Center Volunteers
ADRN needs several volunteers to answer the phones (for survivors,) at its Call Center over the next several days. To volunteer, please click here. - Hospitality Team
ADRN is in need of volunteers to prepare meals for volunteers working at our Call Center. To sign up for a shift, please click here.
Update (Nov. 16): At this time, the district's Family Resource Center no longer needs donations of shoes for our families. Thank you for your generous donations and support.