Human Services Assessments

Disasters often damage and disrupt the human services and social services infrastructure, systems, and networks that vulnerable communities rely on to survive and thrive. Following a disaster, human services providers may:

• need to reduce or change their operational hours due to emergency restrictions (e.g., curfews), limited availability of utility service (e.g., potable water), or staff availability;
• experience staffing shortages due to absences by staff members directly affected and/or displaced by the disaster;
• experience a surge or increase in the number of clients due to displaced disaster survivors.

OHSEPR coordinates with partners to assess damages and identify disruptions to human services infrastructure, which includes providers, systems, and networks (e.g., human services coalitions, continuums of care, early learning coalitions).

OHSEPR also assesses community’s access to services, such as disruptions in transportation services, power outages, and disaster displacement (due to damaged homes or loss of employment).