Sertoma Foundation launches mobile audiology service for children
LAKE ASBURY – Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida Inc. will hold a ribbon cutting and presentation for its new mobile audiology services van next week.
The event takes place Sept. 25 from 9-9:30 a.m. at Asbury Learning Center, 2781 Henley Rd. in Lake Asbury. Rep. Travis Cummings(R-Orange Park) will cut the ribbon for mobile audiology services, joined by Sertoma members and local children who are deaf and hard of hearing. The public is invited to attend.
The mobile audiology van will provide hearing screenings and evaluations along with fitting and dispensing hearing aids. The foundation focuses on serving rural and under-served communities. Cummings has been instrumental in helping children who are deaf gain access to appropriate services.
“I was happy to champion this effort to ensure that every child who is deaf or experiencing hearing challenges in the district and beyond has access to all the tools for success in their community,” Cummings said.
The Sertoma Foundation is a part of the Coalition for Spoken Language Options, which provides listening and spoken language intervention for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Partnering with the foundation locally is Clarke School for Hearing & Speech headquartered in Jacksonville. Clarke provides early intervention and speech therapy with an educational component via center-based and itinerant services throughout the region.
“This mobile audiology van project was made possible through the dedicated efforts of local legislators such as Representative Cummings and Sertoma Club funders. Private matching funds cover one hundred percent of the cost of the van itself. The audiologist and other professional staffing is financially supported by Department of Health funding, Sertoma clubs throughout Florida and matching grants,” Debra Golinski said Sertoma Foundation executive director.
Hearing Loss is the most common anomaly uncovered in newborn screenings. Early detection and intervention is key for an infant to have the opportunity to access early intervention services including access to speech and other sounds for learning and brain development.
The mission of Sertoma Speech and Hearing Foundation is to enhance individual potential and quality of life through better hearing.

Tax collector collecting good for hurricane relief
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Clay County Tax Collector’s office is making convenient for Clay County residents to aid in hurricane relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.
Residents are being asked to drop off at any of the four tax collector offices in the coming days and weeks in a drive being coordinated with Salvation Army.
The following donations are needed:
Cleaning supplies, bleach, Lysol, rubber and work gloves, paper towels, tools, safety masks and more. Non-perishable foods, canned goods, rice, pasta, soups and snack foods such as granola bars. Hygiene products, such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap and shampoo are also needed.
Tax Collector offices are at 477 Houston St. in Green Cove Springs, 3245 Bear Run Blvd., south of Orange Park, 1518 Park Ave. in Orange Park and 7380 State Rd. 100 Suite 10 in Keystone Heights.

Free legal assistance available for Florida Hurricane Irma survivors
TALLAHASSEE – A legal aid hotline is now available for Hurricane Irma survivors in Florida who cannot pay for an attorney.
The 1-866-550-2929 hotline operates through a partnership between The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Both English and Spanish voicemail recordings give callers instructions on how to leave a message requesting storm-related legal assistance. Callers will be asked to provide their name, telephone number, county of residence, and a description of their legal problems.
Assistance through this hotline is available to qualified Floridians affected by Hurricane Irma in all Florida counties. Those who qualify will be matched with Florida lawyers who have volunteered to provide free legal help such as securing FEMA and other benefits, making life, medical and property insurance claims, dealing with home repair contractors, replacing wills and other important legal documents destroyed in the hurricane, helping with consumer protection matters, remedies and procedures and counseling on mortgage-foreclosure problems or landlord/tenant issues
Callers can leave a message on the hotline at any time. Calls will be returned within two business days between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. There are some limitations. For example, assistance is not available for cases in which fees are paid as part of a settlement or award from a court. Such cases will be referred to a lawyer referral service.
Funding for this hotline comes from FEMA under the authority of Section 415 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency assistance Act (Public Law 100-707). To determine whether an issue qualifies for free legal assistance, individuals should call 800-310-7029.
Three Rivers Legal Services Inc., a private, nonprofit corporation which provides free civil legal services to low-income, eligible clients in 17 counties throughout North Florida is also helping in this partnership. Three Rivers Legal Services has three offices that serve Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Nassau, St. Johns, Suwannee, Taylor and Union Counties. Since 1978, they have been dedicated to the provision of quality legal assistance to the poor, abused, disabled and neglected, and to empowerment through preventive legal education.

Learn about historic Clay families
PENNEY FARMS – Clay County residents have a chance to learn about two of Clay County’s historic families.
Jerry Joyner Casale, a member of the Clay County Preservation Society, will discuss the Joyner and Nichols families at the next meeting of the Penney Farms Historical Society, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m.
An avid student of history, Casale will discuss his family line and their life in early Northeast Florida.
This program will be held in the Penney Farms Town Hall, 4100 Clark Ave. A short business meeting will precede the program.

Public urged to report suspected fraud
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Center for Disaster Fraud along with U.S. Attorney Offices in the District of Puerto Rico, Southern District of Florida, Middle District of Florida and Northern District of Florida announced the formation of task forces comprised of local, state and federal agencies in their respective areas to combat Hurricane Irma related illegal activity. The NCDF and U.S. Attorneys in those districts urge residents and businesses to immediately report suspected fraudulent activity relating to recovery and cleanup operations, fake charities claiming to be providing relief for victims, individuals submitting false claims for disaster relief and any other disaster fraud related activity.
The U.S. Department of Justice established the National Center for Disaster Fraud to investigate, prosecute, and deter fraud in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, when billions of dollars in federal disaster relief poured into the Gulf Coast region. Its mission has expanded to include suspected fraud from any natural or manmade disaster. More than 30 federal, state, and local agencies participate in the National Center for Disaster Fraud, which allows the center to act as a centralized clearinghouse of information related to disaster relief fraud.
While compassion, assistance, and solidarity are generally prevalent in the aftermath of natural disasters, unscrupulous individuals and organizations also use these tragic events to take advantage of those in need. In the wake of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, the NCDF has already received more than 400 complaints. Examples of illegal activity being reported to the NCDF and law enforcement include impersonation of federal law enforcement officials; identity theft; fraudulent submission of claims to insurance companies and the federal government, fraudulent activity related to solicitations for donations and charitable giving, fraudulent activity related to individuals and organizations promising high investment returns from profits from recovery and cleanup efforts; price gouging; theft, looting, and other violent crime
Members of the public who suspect fraud, waste, abuse, or allegations of mismanagement involving disaster relief operations, or believe they have been the victim of fraud from a person or organization soliciting relief funds on behalf of disaster victims, should contact the National Disaster Fraud Hotline toll free at (866) 720-5721. The telephone line is staffed 24/7 by a live operator. You can also fax information to the Center at (225) 334-4707 or email it to disaster@leo.gov.
Members of the public are reminded to apply a critical eye and do their due diligence before giving contributions to anyone soliciting donations on behalf of disaster victims. Solicitations can originate from e-mails, websites, door-to-door collections, mailings and telephone calls, and similar methods. Learn more about the NCDF at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud. Tips for the public on how to avoid being victimized of fraud are at https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/tips-avoiding-fraudulent-charitable-contribution-schemes.

Salvation Army accepting applications for holiday assistance
MIDDLEBURG – Clay County families who need a little extra help during the holidays will be able to sign up for the Salvation Army’s 2017 Angel Tree program next week.
Applications will be taken Monday, September 25 through Thursday, September 28 by appointment only from 9:30 a.m. until noon. Walk-ins can apply for the program from 1-3:30 p.m. at the Salvation Army center at 2795B County Rd. 220.
To register, families are required to bring a valid photo ID or copy, a valid ID for all adults who live in the home, proof of Clay County Residency of at least three months, a birth certificate for each child applying ages 12 and under and proof of income. Applicants must also disclose food stamps, unemployment, cash assistance, Social Security and HUD housing benefits. Eligibility is based on Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Applicants are asked to complete a worksheet before arriving at their appointment and to have accurate sizes, including underwear and socks, for all of your children applying.
This year, due to expanding need, only 8 eligible children per family may apply for Angel Tree. Residents who are unable to make their appointment because of an emergency, are urged to contact Salvation Army prior to the appointment time. Failure to do so will result in the inability to apply for Angle Tree this year. For more information, call (904) 276-6677.

When registering for FEMA disaster assistance
TALLAHASSEE – Clay County residents whose property was damaged or experienced loss directly caused by Hurricane Irma are being urged to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster assistance even if they already have insurance. This can be an important step to begin the process of recovery.
Residents can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362. Residents who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY should call 800-462-7585. Residents who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.
The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.
FEMA assistance for individuals may include grants for rent, temporary housing and home repairs to their primary residences, as well as funding for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical, dental or funeral costs. If you have insurance, FEMA may still be able to assist with disaster-related expenses that were underinsured or not covered by your policy.
After applying, a FEMA inspector will contact you to schedule an inspection. The inspection generally takes 30-40 minutes or less and consists of a general verification of your disaster-related losses and a review of ownership or residence records. There is no fee for the inspection.
When a FEMA housing inspector comes to visit your home, be sure they show you proper identification. All FEMA inspectors have prominent photo identification badges. If you suspect someone is posing as a FEMA housing inspector, call our toll-free Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or call local law enforcement officials.
Once the inspection process is complete, your situation will be reviewed by FEMA. You will receive a letter by email or physical mail, depending on your preference, which outlines the decision about your claim. For more information about the inspection process, and documentation you will need to provide the inspector, visit the FEMA Individual Assistance Inspection Process page.
Know that you may receive a visit from more than one inspector throughout the recovery process. In addition to FEMA housing inspectors, representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration, state and local officials and inspectors for private insurance coverage also visit neighborhoods in affected areas.
For more recovery information visit FEMA’s Hurricane Irma web page at www.fema.gov/hurricane-irma.

Meet your legislators next month
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Clay County residents have a chance next month to speak their minds about upcoming bills in the 2018 Florida Legislature.
Sen. Rob Bradley, Rep. Travis Cummings and Rep. Bobby Payne will hold an open forum legislative delegation meeting on Oct. 18 from 4-6 p.m. in the Board of County Commissioners meeting room, fourth floor, County Administration Building, 477 Houston St., Green Cove Springs. The public is welcomed.
Individuals who wish to address the delegation are asked to call Cummings’ office and get on the meeting agenda. The deadline to get on the agenda is noon on Oct. 16.
Anyone wishing to draft legislation to the present to the delegation can go to myfloridahouse.gov to read the local bills procedures under the reference materials section of the website.
Cummings’ office number is (904) 278-5761.