In 2021, people in Kentucky and Southern Indiana and across the country faced great emergency needs as the ongoing pandemic exacerbated the challenges related to severe
disasters, blood shortages and global conflict.

“Our most vulnerable neighbors are facing unique and pressing struggles when crisis strikes on top of COVID-19,”
Steve Cunanan, CEO, Red Cross Kentucky Region said. “This holiday season, join us to provide help and hope in
these difficult moments by making a financial donation or by giving blood or platelets.”

On Giving Tuesday and during the holidays, visit redcross.org to make a financial donation or an appointment to give blood or platelets. Individuals can also learn about volunteer opportunities in their area and give back in honor of American Red Cross founder Clara Barton, whose 200th birthday will be
commemorated on December 25.

RELENTLESS DISASTERS COMPOUND COVID-19 STRUGGLES

2021 marked one of the country’s most
active years for severe weather — which battered many communities still reeling from last year’s disasters. For
thousands of people in need, the Red Cross launched a new major relief effort every 11 days to provide refuge,
food and care.

This year, a family displaced by a disaster in the U.S. spent an average of nearly 30 days in a Red Cross-supported emergency shelter. These extended stays were largely due to a lack of savings and community housing shortages — signs that climate-driven disasters are compounding the financial hardships of the
pandemic.

GLOBAL CONFLICT CREATES MASS NEEDS FOR DISPLACED FAMILIES

Around the world, massivehumanitarian needs emerged in 2021 for a growing number of families displaced by the overlapping challenges of conflict, COVID-19 and climate change.

This year, at the request of federal government partners, Red Cross workers from Kentucky and across the country distributed more than 2.1 million essential items — like
blankets, diapers, medicine and toys — for Afghan evacuees arriving on U.S. military bases and unaccompanied
children seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border.

COVID-19 STRAINS BLOOD SUPPLY FOR PATIENTS

To meet the increasing needs of hospital patients, the
Red Cross distributed 250,000 more blood products in 2021 than last year, until the delta variant began to
spread in August.

The pandemic also resulted in fewer blood drives at schools and colleges, contributing to a 34% drop in new blood donors from last year — one of the largest year-to-year decreases and one that could threaten essential medical care for patients. Locally, the Red Cross Kentucky Region has experienced a 15%
decrease in new blood donors this year.

As a result of low blood donor turnout in recent months, the Red Cross is heading into the holidays with its lowest
blood supply in more than a decade at this time of year. Blood donations are desperately needed now to meet
the needs of accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving
treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease.

All those who come to give Nov. 29-Dec.16 will automatically be entered for the chance to win a private screening
for the winner and 50 of their guests of the epic new film The Matrix Resurrections. Plus, those who come to give
Nov. 29-Dec. 16 will also get a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, thanks to Amazon.*

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Nov. 22-Dec. 16

Bass Pro Shops, 951 Lewis and Clark Parkway, Clarksville, IN 47129
11/24/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.,

Clark County Community Drive-Knights of Columbus, 225 E. Market, Jeffersonville, IN 47130
11/22/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
12/6/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Clark Memorial Hospital, 1220 Missouri Ave., Jeffersonville, IN 47130

Dr. Black’s Eye Associates, 1407 Spring St., Jeffersonville, IN 47130
12/14/2021: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Knights of Columbus New Albany, 809 E. Main St., New Albany, IN 47150
11/22/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
12/6/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Kroger, 200 New Albany Plaza, New Albany, IN 47150
11/26/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Lafayette Township Fire Department, 4002 Scottsville Road, Floyds Knobs, IN 47119
12/3/2021: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.

One Community Church, 1810 Blackiston Mill Road, Clarksville, IN 47129
12/16/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Locally, there will be a blood drive at the Washington County Family YMCA on Dec. 10 from Noon to 5p. 

There will be another event planned for January 7 at the First Christian Church in Salem from 1-7p. 

Every child deserves to have a loving home, a family that cares for them and the confidence that there is always someone in their corner. Unfortunately, there are children who are bounced from home to home, family to family, wondering where they belong and if they will ever be unconditionally loved. It is up to our community to protect these children and support an adoption and foster care system that welcomes these children into families and gives them a chance to experience the love and care they deserve.  As a state legislator, and with the help of my colleagues in the Indiana General Assembly, we have been focused on improving outcomes for children involved with the Department of Child Services.

In 2020 the U.S. Administration for Children and Families awarded Indiana more than $4.7 million through an adoption and legal guardianship incentive award. These funds have allowed the state to further enhance our child welfare system and protect Hoosier children as we search for families to love and support them forever.

In the year leading up to this announcement, the Indiana General Assembly and other state agencies worked tirelessly to improve the efficiency in the adoption system by supporting the children and parents in the foster care system, creating adoption units within the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) and passing new laws.

Our legislative action created a Foster Parents’ Bill of Rights, increased funding for DCS by $502 million and implemented recommendations from a comprehensive review of the agency that will help DCS implement a multi-tiered systems of support program, which focuses on ongoing internal reviews and process improvements.  The ultimate goal is an outcome in the best interest of the child, their safety, and helping these vulnerable children find permanent loving homes.  

Following these actions, an enhanced database was launched to keep better track of adoption inquiries and provide a digital picture book of Indiana’s Waiting Children. This resource allows prospective families to learn about children’s strengths, interests, and needs for an adoptive home through their individual profile pages. It also provides information on the adoption system and sources to reference before, during or after the adoption process.

As chair of the Interim Study Committee on Child Services and member of Child Welfare Champions Corner, I want to continue making sure our children are given the best care and have someone fighting for them. My colleagues and I in the Senate will continue working with DCS to improve our adoption and foster care system, ensuring the most vulnerable young people in our state are placed with families that support and love them.

Hoosiers interested in adopting or fostering can visit in.gov/DCS to learn more about the process and the children currently in need of a loving family. 

If you have any thoughts or questions regarding this topic or others, please contact me by email at Senator.Houchin@iga.in.gov or by phone at 800-382-9467.

Salem’s Fourth District City Councilwoman Gail Napier was found unresponsive in the backyard of an apartment in Twin House Apartment complex early Saturday morning and later flown by helicopter to U of L Hospital, according to Salem Police. 

A 911 call was placed at 8:20a and Washington County EMS responded to the Twin House Apartments (near WSLM) that a woman was lying in the grass and was unresponsive but breathing.

When Salem Police officers arrived on the scene, they located Napier lying unresponsive in the back yard of the residence. 

It was not clear if this was her residence, although the complex is owned by the family.

Officers stated that Napier had blood on her hands and face and appeared to be in a hypothermic state. 

Police said the exterior window screens of the residence had been torn off. 

Police called for an ambulance and Napier was taken to U of L. 

Indiana State Police was also called to the scene and continue to aid in the investigation. 

Sgt. Carry Huls said during a phone call Saturday evening that he believed it was medically-related.