Human services providers work each day to foster the health and well-being of families, children, individuals, and communities to support vulnerable families living at, near, or below the margins. We play a key role in preparedness, response, and recovery to support vulnerable families when disasters strike.
Disaster human services encompasses coordinated efforts to:
- Prevent additional destabilization of socially vulnerable individuals and families who relied on human services programs, systems, and networks pre-disaster,
- Support socially vulnerable individuals and families that need assistance navigating human services programs as a result of the disaster,
- Support the continuity and restoration of human services providers and delivery systems in disaster-impacted communities, and
- Enhance the capability of human services providers in host communities to support displaced disaster survivors during their transition to recovery.
Disaster Human Services: Integrating Equity and Human Services Principles in Emergency Response
OHSEPR launched a series of regional deliveries of the Disaster Human Services: Integrating Equity and Human Services Principles in Emergency Response webinars as part of our efforts to advance a culture and support a community of preparedness. The intent of these seminars was to advance equitable disaster operations by equipping human services providers and emergency responders with the principles of disaster equity and disaster human services and providing examples of their application in disaster case management operations.
Building National Disaster Human Services Capability and Leading ACF in Disasters and Emergencies
This video provides an overview of disaster human services.
Disaster Equity
Four out of five Americans live in areas that have experienced a disaster in the preceding three years. These individuals and communities are affected by disasters differently, and disaster assistance must consider their unique needs when distributing assistance.
OHSEPR is working with a broad community of practice to provide greater clarity on how to apply equity principles in a disaster context. This includes creating a guiding thought process for disaster and emergency managers and frame key population considerations in planning and response activities before, during, and after a disaster.
OHSEPR is currently implementing the activities identified in our Equity Plan Statement.
Human Services Assessments
OHSEPR coordinates with partners to assess damages and identify disruptions to human services infrastructure, which includes providers, systems, and networks.
Case Management
OHSEPR provides Disaster Human Services Case Management (DHSCM) assistance to survivors of major disasters and addresses unmet human service needs.
Children and Youth
OHSEPR is working to support the disaster-caused needs of children services providers to enable adults to support children in their care.