2013 KENTUCKY INCLUSIVE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS CONFERENCE APRIL 26, 2013 Planning and Preparing for Homeless and Rural Poor Populations Sabrina Edgington, MSSW, Program and Policy Sabrina Edgington, MSSW, Program and Policy Specialist Specialist National Health Care for the Homeless Council National Health Care for the Homeless Council
26
Embed
2013 Kentucky Inclusive Emergency Preparedness Conference April 26, 2013
2013 Kentucky Inclusive Emergency Preparedness Conference April 26, 2013. Planning and Preparing for Homeless and Rural Poor Populations Sabrina Edgington, MSSW, Program and Policy Specialist National Health Care for the Homeless Council. Terms you should know. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Welcome message from author
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Planning and Preparing for Homeless and Rural Poor Populations
Sabrina Edgington, MSSW, Program and Policy Sabrina Edgington, MSSW, Program and Policy SpecialistSpecialistNational Health Care for the Homeless CouncilNational Health Care for the Homeless Council
Doubled up: temporarily living with family and friends
Chronically homeless: An unaccompanied homeless individual with a disabling condition who has either been continuously homeless for a year or more OR has had at least four episodes of homelessness in the past three years.
Continuum of Care (CoC): A collaborative funding and planning approach that helps communities plan for and provide, as necessary, a full range of emergency, transitional, and permanent housing and other service resources to address the various needs of homeless persons. HUD also refers to the group of service providers involved in the decision making processes as the ‘‘Continuum of Care.’’
KY Interagency Council on Homelessness, K-Count Results: www.kyhousing.org/page.aspx?id=2323
2013 STATE STATISTICS (POINT IN TIME)
Kentucky
Total homeless 5245
Sheltered 4475
Unsheltered 754
Characteristics (disability related) Total
Substance use 1,398
Serious Mental Illness 880
Chronically homeless 520
Source: KY Interagency Council on Homelessness, K-Count Results: www.kyhousing.org/page.aspx?id=2323
AVAILABLE BEDS FOR HOMELESS KENTUCKIANS (ES, TH, SH)
HOMELESS YOUTH IN KENTUCKY
Source: http://nchespp.serve.org/profile/KY
Enrolled in SY 2010-11: 33,966 (annual estimate)
HIGH DISASTER RISK
HAZARD X VULNERABILITY = DISASTER RISK
Limited access to media outlets to receive emergency communication
Limited resources to take risk deduction measures
Laws that criminalize homelessness push people out of public areas making them harder to reach
Most shelters are closed during the day
Lack of transportation for evacuation
Poor social support networksHigh prevalence of mental illness,
trauma, disability
VULNERABILITIES CONTRIBUTING TO DISASTER RISK
Include homeless service organizations and people experiencing homelessness in emergency planning meetings, exercises, and events
Work with homeless service organizations to tailor emergency messages and instructions
Ensure that homeless service representatives are included in communication blasts
Assist homeless service providers in developing an interagency emergency plan.
Promote CERT trainings for homeless outreach teamsAssist homeless service organizations in developing peer-led
trainings to prepare people who are experiencing homelessness for emergencies
INCLUSIVE EMERGENCY PLANNING
EMERGENCY MESSAGING
Before a storm, have a 3- to 5-day supply of nonperishable food and clean drinking water.
“To help maintain your body temperature in cold weather, drink warm, sweet beverages and broth, and eat a well-balanced diet.”
inform local authorities about any special needs before a hurricane
strikes.
“Be prepared! Pack your emergency supply kit with essential first aid items such as bandages, antibiotic ointment, scissors, etc.”
“Make plans in advance to secure your home. Protect your windows by installing storm shutters or board up windows with plywood.”
MOST EMERGENCY MESSAGING IS TAILORED TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE RESOURCES TO TAKE RISK REDUCTION MEASURES:
HELPFUL EMERGENCY MESSAGING
Tips:Include actions to take, not just actions to avoidUse simple messagesBe as specific as possibleUse language representative of the communityUse trauma informed communication
Basic information for emergency preparedness flyers:If using flyers, use large font and include a couple of graphicsList shelters that will be open during emergenciesAccommodations for petsPick up points for evacuation or to a shelterHow to access information about the emergencyServices available at the shelterBasic safety tips
HELPFUL EMERGENCY MESSAGING
Avoid food that’s been contaminated by flood water. Food and clean water will be available at Union shelter.
Alcohol can increase your risk of frostbite.
“If caught in a tornado, seek shelter in a sturdy building or lie flat in a ditch to avoid flying debris. DO NOT get under a bridge or overpass.”
“Medical teams will be available at Union shelter to replace any lost medications or to look at any injuries.”
“Union shelter will have designated areas and food for pets.”
Union shelter will open during the day when there is a tornado watch or
warning.
LOGISTICS SAFETY TIPS
Identify communication chain: VAL/PIO → lead HSO(s) → all HSOs → people experiencing homelessness
Designate homeless service organizations (HSOs) to various geographical areas to communicate emergencies and assist in evacuation (using trained outreach teams)
Identify emergency shelters that will open its doors during emergencies (make sure people know about this)
Mutual aid agreements with homeless providers (health care for the homeless clinicians, PATH workers, and case managers) to be stationed at Red Cross shelters
Mutual aid agreements with motels and other residential facilities that can accommodate people who are displaced from camps and who have no where to go when the Red Cross shelter closes.
INTERAGENCY EMERGENCY PLANNING
Homeless Outreach TeamsTrained in engagement strategiesSkilled in trauma informed communicationKnows the homeless community Trusted by the homeless communityCulturally competent
SOME RESPONSE RESOURCES
Health Centers/Mobile Medical TeamsFederally Qualified Health Centers (Health Care for the Homeless projects) receive federal funding to provide primary care and other servicesSome are equipped with mobile medical vansFederal liability coverage to provide care at emergency service sites if its in their service areaMay be a source for outreach workers and case managers
SOME RESPONSE RESOURCES
Contact your local FQHC:findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov
Housing People living in camps may be eligible for rental assistance
and compensation for personal belongings (FEMA - non-traditional living quarters)
HUD allows people affected by disasters to be moved to the top of waiting lists; also allows resources to be shifted from one program to another.
Case Management After the President declares a disaster, the state can request
disaster case management.
Try to coordinate housing and case management assistance!
RECOVERY RESOURCES
Additional resources for veterans:Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)Healthcare for Homeless Veterans (HCHV)
Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky: http://www.hhck.org/
KENTUCKY HOMELESS COALITIONS/GROUPS
Isolated, hard to reachHigh rates of poverty/ lack of resourcesHigh rates of health problemsLack of political attentionRural homeless more likely to live in a car, camper, or with
relatives in overcrowded or substandard housingMany services provided by faith-based organizations and
volunteers (many of whom lack emergency training)Poor coordination and communications
PARALLELS BETWEEN THE RURAL POOR & HOMELESS
Growing percentage of older adultsPockets of cultural/ethnic groups (segregated communities,
migrant farmworkers)Complacency - false sense of security related to risk of
terrorismPrimary economic base is usually dependent upon natural
resourcesLack access to urban resources (facilities, equipment and
manpower)Dependence on state and federal emergency assistance
OTHER RISK FACTORS FOR THE RURAL POOR
Federal Resources for Rural Communities: http://www.usich.gov/issue/rural_homelessness/federal_resources_for_rural_communities/