New benefits and programs have been made available locally to provide further assistance to those affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Since Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, the Tribune has been publishing roundups of such events.

Here is the most recent list:

Birth certificates

The North Dakota Department of Health is helping Louisiana-born hurricane evacuees living in North Dakota to obtain birth certificates from their home state.

The department's Division of Vital Records is working with the National Association for Public Health Statistics and Information Systems, which has deployed a procedure for obtaining birth certificates.

For more information, call the Division of Vital Records at 328-2360.

Classes at BSC

Bismarck State College is joining more than 200 schools with online programs to volunteer their resources to help thousands of students whose studies have been interrupted by Hurricane Katrina.

Through an effort coordinated and funded by the Sloan Consortium, BSC has offered to provide two online classes. Introduction to sociology and introduction to computers will be available in an eight-week condensed format beginning Oct. 10. The courses are available only to students currently enrolled in institutions affected by the hurricane.

More than 1,000 courses are now available. Students will only need to pay for their books, as grant funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation will pay tuition and fees. For more information, call BSC at 224-5400.

Bank Center First

Bank Center First, in Bismarck, has implemented a donation program for the victims of the recent hurricanes.

The bank is joining forces with Independent Community Bankers of America, Independent Community Banks of North Dakota and North Dakota Bankers Association to provide a safe place where the community can make contributions to disaster relief organizations.

People will be able to easily and safely donate to the Relief Fund by dropping off donations at any Bank Center First location. One hundred percent of the contributions will be given to the Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

Security First Bank

Security First Bank in Bismarck and Mandan has started an account to collect money for hurricane relief.

Money can be deposited into the account, which will be used to give to the Red Cross in one large check.

Donations can be dropped off at 614 W. Main St. in Mandan or 3000 N. 14th St. in Bismarck by Oct. 7.