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Overview

Wildfires and Medi-CAL Information for Parents

If you evacuated your home or area, before returning you should:
o Wait to be directed by authorities that it is safe to return
o Know the location of the nearest medical facility
o Be sure water supply, electricity, and phone lines are restored
o Block off unsafe or unclean areas so children can’t go in them
o Make sure your house is structurally sound
o Arrange for removal of ash and debris by professionals or adults (children and adolescents should not take part in clean up)

Check with your water provider to make sure that your water is okay to drink. If you are unsure about the cleanliness of your water, heat it to a rolling boil for 1 minute to kill potentially harmful bacteria and other microscopic organisms before drinking.

Keep in mind that loss of power to refrigerators and freezers can cause food to spoil. If the food has been warmed to room temperature for more than 2 hours, throw it out and do not eat it.

Keep your child away from physical hazards. Potential physical hazards include:
o Debris such as broken glass, wires, nails, wood, metal, plastics, and other objects
o Ash pits, which are holes full of hot ashes created by burned trees and stumps
o Unstable building structures, including flooring, stairways, railings, etc.
o Stored items that may have moved into unstable positions
o Slippery floors o Burned or damaged trees, since they may be unstable and fall
o Roadways, bridges, & other outdoor structures that may be damaged & unstable
o Animals that are deceased, stray, or wild
o Altered automobile traffic as a result of clean-up activities, since there may be heavier traffic in areas where children play or travel

Ash is a particularly important hazard, as it may be irritating to the skin, nose, and throat, and can be difficult to clean up. Do NOT allow your child to play in ash and clean it up as soon as possible. When cleaning, avoid spreading ash into the air. Wet it down before attempting to remove it. Do NOT use leaf blowers or vacuums. Even if you are careful, it is easy to stir up dust that may contain hazardous substances.

If your child has had contact with any potentially hazardous substance or has been playing in a fire-damaged area, wash their hands and any other exposed body part

thoroughly, including flushing of the eyes. Remove any exposed clothing and wash separately as soon as possible.

Monitor your child closely, particularly if your child has a chronic respiratory condition like asthma. Watch for symptoms such as coughing; wheezing; chest tightness; burning eyes, nose, or mouth; dizziness or lightheadedness. Move your child indoors or to a cleaner environment and bathe them (follow instructions in bullet above) if they show these symptoms. If your child has asthma or other respiratory conditions, give them their appropriate medication. If the symptoms do not improve, seek medical care right away.

Psychological Effects
Be alert to your child’s emotional health and psychological well-being. Grief associated with loss, stress, or anxiety from the disaster may cause emotional distress.
Signs of emotional distress can be different depending on your child’s age, and include:
o Clinging behavior and fear of separation
o Uncooperative behaviors (for example, argumentative)
o Nightmares
o Physical complaints (for example, stomach aches, headaches, generally feeling unwell)
o Irritability
o Fears
o Eating or sleeping too much or too little
o Returning to babyish behaviors
o Risk-taking behaviors
o Fatigue, both physical and emotional
o Indifference
o Withdrawal from previously enjoyed activities
o • Difficulty concentrating or focusing at home or on school work
o Aggression or outbursts of anger
o Uncontrollable crying

Continue your child’s established routines as much as possible and provide a listening ear. Encourage your child to express feelings through a variety of ways, such as music, art, journaling, talking, or playing with toys or dolls. Avoid exposing your child to excessive or unnecessary TV or other media coverage of the wildfire. Answer your child’s questions openly and honestly, as appropriate for your child’s age. Be patient and remain calm, because children often take cues on how to act based on their parents and their environment. Your reactions communicate an unspoken message to your child, and may add to a child’s feeling of distress.
In some cases, the whole family may benefit from supportive counseling. It is important to remember that it is not a sign of mental illness to accept professional support during times of emotional distress.
Servicesfor Medi-Cal Recipients

Where to apply for Medi-Cal in Napa County?
o Call the County office at 707-253-4511 to schedule an appointment to complete an application over the phone or have one sent to you
o Visit one of the two locations: 2751 Napa Valley Corporate Drive Building A, Level 1 in Napa or 4381 Broadway in American Canyon
o Apply online at www.C4Yourself.com
o Call Community Health Initiative at 707-227-0830 to schedule an appointment, to complete an application or visit them at 2140 Jefferson Street Suite D in Napa

Clinics/Doctors who accept Medi-Cal
o Ole Health 707-254-1770
o Queen of the Valley 707-257-4077
o St. Helena Hospital 707-963-3611
o Kaiser (Napa) 707-258-2500

*Refer to Napa County Medi-Cal Provider Directory for entire listing: www.partnershiphp.org

Where to apply for Medicare?
o Call the County office at 707-253-3818 to schedule an appointment
o Visit the County office at 650 Imperial Way in Napa to apply in person
o Call Community Health Initiative at 707-227-0830 to schedule an appointment to complete an application or visit their agency at 2140 Jefferson Street Suite D in Napa
o Speak to a HICAP counselor by calling 800-434-0222, extension 117

Mental Health Programs/Services for Medi-Cal recipients
o Non-Emergency Mental Health Services 707-259-8151 or 800-648-8650
o Crisis Services 707-253-4711 (24 hours per day)
o Community Connection 707-257-9719 or 707-494-3456

*Refer to Napa County Medi-Cal Provider Directory for entire listing: www.partnershiphp.org
Learn more about Medi-Cal services for Mental Health Services
o Contact the Medi-Cal Member Services Department at 707-863-4120 or 800-863-4155
o Consult with your primary care physician

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