Planning for the Special Needs Population in the Community

1
Planning for the Special Needs Population in the
Community

• Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS)
• Communication Efforts
• Outreach Initiatives

2
DHSS Emergency Communications Plan

• Objectives
• Provide accurate, timely and pertinent
  information
• Prevent public alarm
• Direct public action
• Meet needs of news media
• Coordinate response with other agencies/partners

3
DHSS Emergency Communications Plan

• Communicating with the public
• News releases
• E-mail and broadcast fax
• News conferences
• Website (www.dhss.mo.gov)
• Expanded hotline
• Emergency Broadcast System
• Health Alert system

4
DHSS Emergency Communications Plan

• Addressing special needs populations
• Translation services
• Statewide contract with PR firm
• 24/7 availability
• Work with partner agencies/key influencers to
  deliver messages
• LPHAs
• Hospitals
• Community groups
• Area Agencies on Aging

5
Public Information and Communication Needs
Assessment

• Local Public Health Agencies Sept. 2004
• 40 have plans in place for communicating with
  special populations
• Physical disabilities
• Mental retardation or developmental disabilities
• Mental illnesses/brain disorders
• Blind
• Deaf or have hearing problems

6
Risk Communications/Media Trainings

• Emergency risk communication principles
• Attendees
• State and local public health
• Hospitals
• Emergency response personnel
• Department of Mental Health

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DHSS Ready in 3 Program

• Educational Program
• Three steps residents can take to be prepare for
  emergencies at home, school and work
• 1. Create a Plan
• 2. Prepare a Kit
• 3. Listen for Information

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DHSS Ready in 3 Program

• Addressing special needs populations
• Family Safety Guide
• Section for people with special needs
• Translated in Spanish and Bosnian
• Available in Braille

9
DHSS Ready in 3 Program

• Addressing special needs populations
• 1 Create a plan
• Importantespecially for persons with special
  needs
• New family plan guide available
• 2 Prepare an emergency kit
• 3 Listen for information

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DHSS Ready in 3 Program

• Addressing special needs populations
• Fact Sheets
• English, Spanish, Bosnian, Vietnamese, Korean,
  Somali
• Emergency Threats brochure
• English and Spanish

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DHSS Ready in 3 Program

• Outreach
• Local public health agencies
• Schools
• Community groups
• Senior Centers
• Faith-based leaders
• Businesses

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DHSS Ready in 3 Program

• Launched March 3, 2004
• To date, 1.5 million family safety guides
  distributed
• Presentations offered
• Materials available at no charge
• Order on-line www.dhss.mo.gov or call
  573-526-4768

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DHSS Special Populations Communications Plan

• Proactive and reactive
• Objectives and strategies for reaching
• Children
• Non-English speaking residents
• Minority groups
• Senior citizens
• People with disabilities

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DHSS Special Populations Communications Plan

• Use as reference guide
• Builds on Ready in 3 program
• Contains listing of relevant organizations and
  influencers for each population

15
In summary

• Lets look ahead..
• What can you do in your community to be better
  prepared to communicate to persons with special
  needs during an emergency?

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For more information

• Contact
• Mary Kay Hager
• Public Information Administrator
• Center for Emergency Response and Terrorism
• Missouri Department of Health and Senior
  Services
• Jefferson City, MO
• Mary.kay.hager_at_dhss.mo.gov
• 573-526-3798