A tuition-free nonprofit military public charter school.

How Can We Help? Hurricane Resources Here!

Hurricane Relief

Need Help? SMA Families, Contact our Heads of Schools Directly.

High School: SMA-COL Christina Bowman     |     Middle School: SMA-COL Tom Vara
 

TIME SENSITIVE: ARC Individual Assistance Program for Hurricanes Helene and Milton

There are funds that may be available to you, however, must be assigned by December 20, 2024!  Please review the information and

  • ARC (American Red Cross)

Faster to use the phone # then the QR code.

All callers need to state that they were affected by Hurricane Helen or Milton or both.

This is for families whose homes were damaged in the Hurricanes.

NOTE – this is not FEMA related; families receiving FEMA funds can still apply for these dollars.

There is an application that has approximately 5 questions.

Any funds that a client might receive can either be direct deposited to their bank account or in the form of a debit card.

The amounts to be determined for each family by the ARC. The funds can be used for many things. The ARC will give further information.

This is time sensitive, since the funds are available only until December 20th, and for Sarasota County only.

 

VITA: Free Tax Preparation Program

The hotline for calling and website for making appointments will go live January 16. Individuals who call before then will receive a message that the hotline is closed.

211 also has the information regarding VITA.

Spanish Flyer

 

Discovery Resources Center

 

Disaster Recovery Center

Resources Available

The US Department of Agriculture has approved D-SNAP for our state and county. This resource can provide food assistance for individuals and families impacted by Helene and Milton who are not already receiving assistance from the regular SNAP. The program will be implemented in phases, with Sarasota County in Phase 2. Pre-Registration will be November 3-8 for this. Link below has more info.

 D-sNAP Program

Discovery Resources Center

 

 

Operation Blue Roof

Free Temporary Roofing - English \ Spanish

Community members can sign up for Operation Blue Roof now through Monday, November 4. This program is a free service for homeowners and permanently occupied rental properties, providing fiber-reinforced, industrial-strength sheeting to protect storm-damaged roofs until homeowners can make permanent repairs.

To qualify for the Blue Roof program:

  • The home must be the primary residence of the person or household requesting the emergency roof covering; AND
  • The residence has NO more than 50 percent of the roof framing damaged. The framing must support the plastic sheeting as a temporary repair, and be able to provide safe shelter once contractors install the tarp; AND
  • The resident certifies that he or she is the owner of the residence requested to be covered OR is a renter that has obtained legal permission to continue occupying the residence until more permanent repairs are made; AND
  • The resident certifies that they will shelter in the residence that they have requested to be covered; AND
  • The roof must be standard roof shingles, or a similar material that will allow contractors to nail the tarp in place.
Residents impacted by Hurricane Milton can sign up for this no-cost service by visiting https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Emergency-Operations/Blue-Roof-Info/, calling 888-ROOF-BLU (888-766-3258), or visiting a Right of Entry (ROE) collection center throughout the affected areas. ROE collection center locations are listed on their website (linked above), where residents can sign up for Blue Roof assistance using an ROE form, which gathers information about the residence.
For more information from Sarasota County government about Hurricane Milton Recovery, please visit: www.scgov.net/government/emergency-services/storm. 

FEMA, SBA and USDA Create Recovery Resource Guide for

Local Business Owners

FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have collaborated to create a guide to help local businesses affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton access recovery resources.

Find the Recovery Resource Guide for Florida here.

 

SBDC Mobile Assistance Center in Manatee County

The Florida SBDC at USF will be on-site at the Manatee Mobile Assistance Center (MAC) to assist businesses affected by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. Stop by and let our professionally certified consultants guide you through these critical recovery programs.

We’re here to help your business rebuild and recover. 

Visit us in-person for one-on-one support!

 

Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program

To support small businesses who have been impacted by Hurricane Milton, FloridaCommerce has activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program.

The bridge loan program is a short-term, zero-interest loan that helps businesses “bridge the gap” between the time of impact and when long-term resources are available, such as federally or commercially available loans, insurance claims, or other resources. Businesses directly impacted by Hurricane Milton, in the counties of DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota are eligible to apply for loans of up to $50,000.

Application Deadline: December 4, 2024

Visit www.FloridaJobs.org/EBL to learn more about the program, view the lending guidelines and required specific documentation, and complete an application. Business owners who need assistance filling out their application can schedule a consultation with a Florida SBDC at USF business consultant here.

Physical Disaster Loans and Economic Injury

Disaster Loans (EIDL) for Businesses

To support businesses who experienced physical or economic injury from Hurricane Milton, the SBA has activated the Physical Disaster Loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL).

Businesses in Desoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota counties are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA.

Application Deadlines:

Physical Damage: December 10, 2024

Economic Injury: July 11, 2025

Business owners who need assistance filling out their application can schedule a consultation with a Florida SBDC at USF business consultant here.

Stay Up-to-Date

Sarasota County continues to communicate with local, state and federal partners, including the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the National Weather Service. For the latest updates on evacuation centers, sandbag operations, and Hurricane Milton in Sarasota County, visit the Sarasota County Emergency Services Page.

Visit here

Alert Sarasota County

Sign up for Alert Sarasota County the official notification system for emergency updates. This service sends alerts via phone, text and/or email, depending on user preference.

Sign Up Here

Preparedness Plan

To enhance your preparedness for Hurricane Milton and its potential impact on your business, download the following documents:

Prepare Your BusinessDisaster Supply Kit ChecklistDisaster Planning Guide 2023

 

Business Assessment Survey

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce is here to support you with essential resources for recovery and ongoing assistance.

Here are some important resources available:

FloridaCommerce has activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey to gather data and assess the needs of businesses affected by the hurricane, helping to speed up recovery efforts.

Business Damage Assessment Survey

Click below to learn more on evacuation shelters, food distribution centers, power outages, etc. in Sarasota County.

Sarasota County - Hurricane Recovery Efforts

Click below to learn updates on Sarasota County School District on food and supply distribution sites and school closures. 

Sarasota County School District Updates

Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to businesses and residents in Florida following the announcement of a Presidential disaster declaration due to Hurricane Ian beginning Sept. 23.