Journal article
ARE HUMAN SERVICE AGENCIES READY FOR DISASTERS? FINDINGS FROM A MIXED-METHODS NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING PROJECT
Health security, v 13(2), pp 106-114
01 Apr 2015
PMID: 25813974
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
A mixed-methods design was used to assess the current capacity of human service agencies to provide services in a major disaster, identify challenges and successful strategies for providing those services, and formulate specific recommendations for government planners and the nonprofit sector to promote the integration of human service agencies into emergency preparedness and response. A web-based survey was completed by 188 unique human service agencies, 31 semistructured interviews were conducted with human service agency and government leaders from southeastern Pennsylvania and the mid-Atlantic region, and a collaborative planning meeting was held to review the findings and develop systems-based recommendations. Survey results indicated that human service agencies serve the most vulnerable communities during disasters and would welcome integration into preparedness and response plans, but they currently face challenges that include a lack of real-time communication and opportunities for collaborative planning with government partners. Interview findings were grouped according to 5 themes that emerged: capacity, coordination, communication, training, and leadership. This study identified recommendations to assist human service agencies, local health departments, and emergency management agencies as they work to ensure that needed human services are available during disasters, despite the resource challenges that most agencies face.
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Details
- Title
- ARE HUMAN SERVICE AGENCIES READY FOR DISASTERS? FINDINGS FROM A MIXED-METHODS NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING PROJECT
- Creators
- Thomas J. Hipper - Drexel UniversityAshley Orr - Chester Cty Hlth Dept, W Chester, PA USAEsther Chernak - Drexel Univ, Sch Publ Hlth, Ctr Publ Hlth Readiness & Commun, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
- Publication Details
- Health security, v 13(2), pp 106-114
- Publisher
- Mary Ann Liebert, Inc
- Number of pages
- 9
- Grant note
- United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey (UWGPSNJ)
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Environmental and Occupational Health
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000369598700006
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-84954577249
- Other Identifier
- 991020547452404721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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- Web of Science research areas
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health