We’ve all become unfortunately familiar with the trauma that can be caused by tropical storms, hurricanes, floods and even earthquakes in recent years.  To help prepare for the next emergency, the Hanover Department of Social Services wants to maintain a list of names and contact information for people who have disabilities.

Benefiting from this could be anyone who is bedridden, in a wheelchair or otherwise has limited mobility, as well as those who are hard of hearing or dependent upon paid caretakers or mechanical devices.

Information collected will be maintained by the Department. When necessary and appropriate, some or all the information collected will be shared with Fire/EMS, the Health Department, the Transportation Department for Hanover County Public Schools, and emergency management partner agencies and organizations such as the Red Cross.

The information collected will be used to coordinate services related to emergency notification and transportation services.

Individuals are encouraged to submit personal information on their own behalf.  If there is a minor child, parents are responsible for submitting information.   If necessary and appropriate, an authorized official or care giver may submit and individual’s personal information on the individual’s behalf with explicit authorization to do so.  The source individual will be required to provide contact information.

By collecting personal information Social Services is subject to the requirements for administering information systems as established in the Government Data Collection and Discrimination Practices Act Code of Virginia.

There is no requirement to supply this information.   Without the information, Hanover County may not be able to appropriately plan for an individual’s transportation needs during an emergency event.

If you would like to know more, please call the Hanover Department of Social Services at 365-4104.