In the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, local stations are providing educational services for both children and adults in shelters throughout the affected areas.
Mississippi Public Broadcasting
Working with approximately 100 shelters (MPB) is involved extensively in the relief effort for Hurricane Katrina victims. MPB is donating TV/DVD/VHS sets and video material, including Sesame Street and Between the Lions. MPB is also providing games, toys, activity sheets, and thousands of books, including books from First Books and Sesame Street.
In addition to these efforts, MPB is organizing to have PBS Kids characters visit shelters in the affected areas. Characters will read to the children as well as donate reading materials. Characters on board include Between the Lions, Sesame Workshop characters, Arthur, and Reading Rainbow host Levar Burton.
MPB is working with the National Association of Elementary School Principals on a project where local public television stations will adopt a childcare center in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, or Texas. Partnerships with several organizations, such as the Mississippi State Extension Service, Barksdale Learning Centers, Mississippi State, and the State Department of Education, have enabled MPB to meet these needs efficiently and effectively.
This model will soon be rolled out into Louisiana and Alabama as well.
Louisiana Public Broadcasting
In addition to services similar to those provided to shelters as mentioned above, is working on the following projects for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita relief efforts.
LPB has opened a new discussion board on its website called to allow teachers and other educators to connect with colleagues, share ideas and provide support for one another.
LPB Adult Education will provide 10 public workshops throughout the state focusing on how to find jobs, applications, interviews and other related training. Promotions for these workshops will be coordinated and promoted through the Louisiana Department of Labor’s LAworks website.
Additionally, LPB will work with local governmental agencies to produce and distribute educational materials to increase public awareness, training and service availability. Examples of this service include (1) “FEMA How To”: A step by step tutorial on the application process for federal help for both individuals and businesses affected by the hurricanes; and (2) “Coping Skills”: series of videos on how to aid adults and children with the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Social services professionals from the state department of health, local hospitals and the Capital Area Human Services District will be used for the video. Topics discussed on the video will include stress and anger management, parenting skills relating to talking with children, financial advice and post-flood environmental issues.
