After a natural disaster many people are housed temporarily in travel trailers provided by FEMA. Safety issues arise from these unique temporary living quarters.

This workbook was developed in the aftermath of the worst natural disasters to befall Louisiana – hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service of the LSU AgCenter is providing this resource to help families take charge of their lives in a positive way. This program is dedicated to those families who are performing heroic efforts to hold onto hope and rebuild their lives.

This holiday season may be more stressful than ever for some people and families. Stress resulting from our recent disasters combined with the usual holiday stress may become overwhelming.

Many families across the state and across the nation face the stressful situation of houseguests who still can’t go home because of devastation from thisi summer's hurricanes. All of them need to make sure they appropriately deal with the stress brought on by such situations, according to experts with the LSU AgCenter.

Moving to a new home is stressful under the best of circumstances, but many Gulf Coast families have made one or more moves this year because of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Such events can take an emotional toll on families and particularly on children, says LSU AgCenter family life specialist Dr. Diane Sasser.

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have shown how strong Louisiana families can be. Parents and children faced with strains on time, money and emotions found ways to remain strong, healthy and happy.

Hurricane victims will be faced with the question this Thanksgiving, "What are you thankful for?" and some will find this question difficult to answer. The holiday will be a reminder of what’s been lost in floods and devastating winds.

Trying times, like these after hurricanes Katrina and Rita, can test family and community resiliency. Having our families and communities around us for support can go a long way in helping recover from disaster, emotionally as well as physically.

Keeping the family operating smoothly, particularly during these trying times following hurricanes Katrina and Rita, requires a lot of effort. Each of us, though, can contribute to keep the family strong.

You probably can’t avoid the stress coming in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, but there are ways you can try to manage its effects, according to LSU AgCenter family and child development specialist Dr. Becky White.