2014 Articles

Disaster Planning for Vulnerable Populations: Leveraging Community Human Service Organizations Direct Service Delivery Personnel

Levin, Karen; Berliner, Maegan S.; Merdjanoff, Alexis

Given the variability, complexities, and available resources for local vulnerable populations, it is clear that preparing effectively for catastrophic events cannot be accomplished with a single, simple template. Inclusion of Community Human Service Organizations’ (CHSO’s) direct service delivery personnel ensures that emergency disaster planning efforts for vulnerable populations are effective and responsive to unique needs and constraints. By leveraging existing local resources, it extends the preparedness system’s reach to the whole community.