In a collaborative effort, APA, through its philanthropic subsidiary, the American Psychiatric Foundation, has launched the Disaster Recovery Fund for Psychiatrists to assist psychiatrists and psychiatry residents who have been adversely affected by disasters such as hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma.

The fund is being started with $20,000 that APA received from a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration contract to assist in the coordination of the mental health response to Hurricane Katrina and will rely on additional support from APA members. APA Assembly members have already begun making donations.

Under this program, psychiatrists and psychiatry residents who have been affected by disasters are eligible to apply for a grant of up to $2,500. Grants are intended to help psychiatry residents continue their medical training and help psychiatrists rebuild their practices to serve the mental health needs of the people in their communities.

Applications for the recovery grants are now being accepted, and grant decisions will be made on an ongoing basis.

Contributions to the fund may be made online at<www.psychfoundation.org> or by mail to American Psychiatric Foundation, 1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1825, Arlington, Va. 22209; checks should be made payable to the American Psychiatric Foundation. All contributions should be designated for" disaster recovery." Contributions may also be made by phone by calling (703) 907-8512. ▪