Community Resources- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Maureen

3 years ago

Community Resources- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is a federal agency whose main purpose is to coordinate disaster responses that overwhelm states’ and local authorities’ capacities to handle and contain various disasters. It has found considerable utility in providing on-the-ground disaster recovery responses, providing expertise in specialized fields for states and local governments in the jurisdictions impacted by various disasters, infrastructural funds for infrastructural relief, and funding rebuilding efforts, among others. This paper details FEMA, with emphasis on its contribution to public health safety, its ability to promote equal opportunities and improve the quality of life of community members, funding sources, and how it has impacted the health and safety of the communities it serves.

How the Organization’s Mission and Vision Enable it to Contribute to Public Health and Safety Improvements

FEMA’s mission and vision have been replicated in their functionalities across states. FEMA’s mission is to help people and communities before, during, and after public health catastrophes. This organization has been at the forefront of making its members understand their role in disaster management and preparedness. It also provides the necessary directions on how its members and other stakeholders involved in disaster management conduct themselves and make decisions targeted at promoting the safety of communities. To achieve all these, FEMA promotes the unity of purpose for all disaster responders, accords its members with the required flexibility in executing their mandate and fulfilling their responsibilities, and promotes innovations that help it achieve its goals.

FEMA’s vision is to ensure preparedness for any catastrophe. It is a representation of its overall responsibilities and mandates towards readying Americans to combat any apparent public health threat. To meet this vision, FEMA outlines three goals. By instilling equity as the cornerstone for emergency management, leading communities towards climate resilience, and promoting and sustaining a FEMA-readied nation, this organization believes that it can effectively protect and promote the safety of the American people. Sledge & Thomas (2019), reports that FEMA’s efforts to create safe and disaster-ready communities have been evident in their activities and strategic plan for disaster management and preparedness. This shows their commitment to their goals and vision for American communities.

FEMA’s mission and vision are an embodiment of the U.S. strategic plan to preserve community lives in the wake of public health threats. FEMA’s mission is an extension of the HHS strategic plan and public health promotion initiative of preparing for future public health hazards. Its mission and vision are embedded in the HHS objectives of protecting communities and individuals from imminent public health threats. It is also a representation of how various federal organs work concertedly to protect American lives. Xiang (2021) demonstrates how various agencies collaborate in disaster preparedness and management as part of their collective mandate to protect American lives. This concerted approach is a manifestation of how FEMA’s mission and vision support and contribute to these agencies’ initiatives in protecting the safety of communities in the wake of various catastrophes.

Organization’s Ability to Promote Equal Opportunity and Improve the Quality of Life in the Community

FEMA is focused on lessening societal barriers to accessing services and increasing opportunities for all community members to get help whenever they need it. This is entrenched in their strategic goal of instilling equity as groundwork for their emergency management efforts. This organization remains committed to delivering quality services to vulnerable Americans and those from marginalized communities. This has been evident in its initiatives to address equity in its programs. This includes but is not limited to the expansion of the eligibility criteria for clinical needs assistance, expansion of access to disaster recovery responses through the integration of a documentation drop-off center model, and the expansion of home repair assistance for persons impacted by disasters, especially those with disaster-attributable disabilities.

Through these initiatives, FEMA has been able to promote equal opportunities to all members of society. Through the creation of an equity enterprise steering group, FEMA has been able to establish a framework for implementing equity in its programs. It has also established equity policies targeted at fostering the inclusion of diverse cultural groups in its workforce (Bukvic & Borate, 2020). The FEMA’s equity action plan is also aimed at promoting racial equity and supporting marginalized communities and individuals from traditionally disadvantaged communities. These efforts are a replication of the overall organization’s commitment towards equity and lessening physical barriers to accessing essential services during public health catastrophes.

Impact of Funding Sources, Policy, and Legislation on the Organization’s Provision of Services

FEMA’s wide and diverse involvement in community programs targeted at readying communities for various disasters fetches significant financial considerations. FEMA is funded by congress through emergency funding and regular congress appropriations. Being a federal agency, FEMA is under oversight by the federal government. Several policies and legislative frameworks exist that provide oversight to this organization and augment its primary role in disaster management and preparedness. The Disaster Mitigation Act(DMA) is an example of a policy that grants FEMA its administrative powers. This act shapes disaster mitigation initiatives and creates a framework for local and state governments to work concertedly through active engagements in disaster planning and management. Other policies and legislation that shape mitigative efforts and thus impact FEMA include the National Food Insurance Act and the Water Infrastructure Improvement for the Nation Act. These legislative pieces have been pivotal in informing disaster responses and safeguarding the safety of Americans in the wake of such disasters.

How an Organization’s Work Impacts the Health and/or Safety Needs of a Local Community

FEMA’s mandate of ensuring disaster preparedness and disaster management is critical in the preservation of the health and safety of communities. By readying communities for apparent disasters and implementing various disaster mitigation initiatives, FEMA and other organizations effectively minimize the health risks of these disasters. Johnston et al. (2022) report that hazard preparation minimizes adverse experiences and physical injuries induced by various disasters and hastens disaster recovery responses. This highlights the importance of disaster preparedness and reinforces the significance of FEMA and other federal agencies responsible for readying communities for such disasters.

Nurses play a role in disaster management and preparedness. Their administrative and technical knowledge in healthcare makes them essential in disaster preparedness initiatives. At the height of any disaster, nurses can provide the necessary healthcare interventions for the disaster victims, such as assessing and triaging disaster victims, providing first aid, and administering vital medications (Fletcher et al., 2022). Integrating nursing roles in overall disaster management can thus ensure the minimization of the impact of the disaster on community lives.

FEMA maintains significance in disaster preparedness and management. This organization remains a valuable community resource that can be leveraged to help vulnerable communities in their time of need. Their vision and mission support their collective mandate to protect the safety of communities and improve the quality of life of individuals in the wake of public health catastrophes. Through federal funding and policies, this organization has been effective in implementing mitigation measures for various disasters, thus preserving community lives.

References

Bukvic, A., & Borate, A. (2020). Developing coastal relocation policy: Lessons learned from the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Environmental Hazards, 20(3), 279–299. https://doi.org/10.1080/17477891.2020.1804819

Fletcher, K. A., Reddin, K., & Tait, D. (2022). The history of disaster nursing: From Nightingale to nursing in the 21st Century. Journal of Research in Nursing, 27(3), 257–272. https://doi.org/10.1177/17449871211058854

Johnston, K. A., Taylor, M., & Ryan, B. (2022). Engaging communities to prepare for natural hazards: A conceptual model. Natural Hazards, 112(3), 2831–2851. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-022-05290-2

Sledge, D., & Thomas, H. F. (2019). From disaster response to community recovery: Nongovernmental entities, Government, and public health. American Journal of Public Health, 109(3), 437–444. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2018.304895

Xiang, T. (2021). Understanding emergency preparedness in public agencies: The key role of managerial perceptions. Administration & Society, 54(3), 424–450. https://doi.org/10.1177/00953997211031224

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Question

Assessment 2 Instructions: Community Resources
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Research a selected local, national, or global nonprofit organization or government agency to determine how it contributes to public health and safety improvements, promotes equal opportunity, and improves the quality of life within the community. Submit your findings in a 3-5 page report.

Community Resources- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

As you begin to prepare this assessment, it would be an excellent choice to complete the Nonprofit Organizations and Community Health activity. Complete this activity to gain insight into promoting equal opportunity and improving the quality of life in a community. The information gained from completing this activity will help you succeed with the assessment.

Introduction
Many organizations work to better local and global communities’ quality of life and promote health and safety in times of crisis. As public health and safety advocates, nurses must be cognizant of how such organizations help certain populations. As change agents, nurses must be aware of factors that impact the organization and the services that it offers. Familiarity with these organizations enables the nurse to offer assistance as a volunteer and source of referral.

This assessment provides an opportunity for you gain insight into the mission, vision, and operations of a community services organization.

Preparation
You are interested in expanding your role as a nurse and are considering working in an area where you can help to promote equal opportunity and improve the quality of life within the local or global community. You are aware of several nonprofit organizations and government agencies whose work contributes to this effort in some way. You have a particular interest in one of these organizations but would like to know more about its contributions to public health and safety improvements. You would like to report the results of your research in a scholarly paper that you could submit for publication.

Research a selected local, national, or global nonprofit organization or government agency from the list provided. Determine how the organization or agency contributes to public health and safety improvements, promotes equal opportunity, and improves the quality of life within the community. Submit your findings in a 3–5 page report.

Choose the organization or agency you are most interested in researching:

American Red Cross.
Habitat for Humanity.
United Way.
Doctors Without Borders.
The Salvation Army.
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
National Center for Transgender Equality.
National Resource Center on LGBT Aging.
Advocacy & Services for LGBT Elders.
Equal Justice Initiative.
National Alliance to End Homelessness.
Urban Triage.
World Health Organization.
The Arc: For People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
Alliance for Retired Americans.
Futures Without Violence.
Blue Campaign: What Is Human Trafficking?
Covenant House.
Cultural Survival.
Note: As you revise your writing, check out the resources listed on the Writing Center’s Writing Support page.

Instructions
Research a selected local, national, or global nonprofit organization or government agency from the list provided. Determine how the organization or agency contributes to public health and safety improvements, promotes equal opportunity, and improves the quality of life within the community. Submit your findings in a 3–5 page report.

Document Format and Length
Format your paper using APA style.

Refer to the APA Style Paper Tutorial [DOCX] to help you in writing and formatting your paper. Be sure to include:
A title page and references page. An abstract is not required.
Appropriate section headings.
Your paper should comprise 3–5 pages of content plus title and references pages.
Supporting Evidence
Cite at least three credible sources from peer-reviewed journals or professional industry publications published within the past 5 years that support your research findings.

Graded Requirements
The research requirements, outlined below, correspond to the grading criteria in the assessment scoring guide, so be sure to address each point.

Explain how the organization’s mission and vision enable it to contribute to public health and safety improvements.
Include examples of ways a local and/or global initiative supports organizational mission and vision and promotes public health and safety.
Evaluate an organization’s ability to promote equal opportunity and improve the quality of life in the community.
Consider the effects of social, cultural, economic, and physical barriers.
Assess the impact of funding sources, policy, and legislation on the organization’s provision of services.
Consider the potential implications of funding decisions, policy, and legislation for individuals, families, and aggregates within the community.
Explain how an organization’s work impacts the health and/or safety needs of a local community.
Consider how nurses might become involved with the organization.
Organize content so ideas flow logically with smooth transitions; contains few errors in grammar/punctuation, word choice, and spelling.
Apply APA formatting to in-text citations and references exhibiting nearly flawless adherence to APA format.
Write with a specific purpose and audience in mind.
Adhere to scholarly and disciplinary writing standards and APA formatting requirements.
Additional Requirements
Before submitting your paper, proofread it to minimize errors that could distract readers and make it difficult for them to focus on your research findings.

Competencies Measured
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and scoring guide criteria:

Competency 1: Analyze health risks and health care needs among distinct populations.
Explain how an organization’s work impacts the health and/or safety needs of a local community.
Competency 2: Propose health promotion strategies to improve the health of populations.
Explain how an organization’s mission and vision enable it to contribute to public health and safety improvements.
Competency 3: Evaluate health policies based on their ability to achieve desired outcomes.
Assess the impact of funding sources, policy, and legislation on an organization’s service delivery.
Competency 4: Integrate principles of social justice in community health interventions.
Evaluate an organization’s ability to promote equal opportunity and improve the quality of life in a community.
Competency 5: Apply professional, scholarly communication strategies to lead health promotion and improve population health.
Organize content so ideas flow logically with smooth transitions; contain few errors in grammar/punctuation, word choice, and spelling.
Apply APA formatting to in-text citations and references, exhibiting nearly flawless adherence to APA format.

Part One
Complete this activity to gain insight into promoting equal opportunity and improving the quality of life within the community.

Context
You are the manager of the Happy Day Senior Center, a small nonprofit organization. The center is at maximum capacity of 40 members and there is a membership waiting list. Membership dues are a good will offering of $30.00 a year, so members would not be excluded if they cannot afford to pay. Snacks and a lunch are provided for a good will offering of $2.00. The organization operates on a shoestring and relies on grants, fundraising, and personal donations.

Population Served
The organization serves an elderly population with a variety of healthcare issues, such as physical disabilities and different levels of cognitive abilities. While some of the participants can walk to the center, many rely on transportation provided by the center. The center provides a way for them to socialize. Without the center, many would-be home alone while family members were at work.

Center’s Mission: The Mission of Healthy Adult Senior Center is to promote healthy aging through wellness, education, social services, creative art, and other programs and services.

Center’s Vision: The center will support older adults in the diverse community so that they grow gracefully and live fully, regardless of their current state of health or income.

You received a notice today that the state has cut money for The Happy Day Senior Center. You realize that the center is unable to provide all of its current services. You are facing additional budget cuts because the grant that the center received for building repair and maintenance is ending next month. The grant for transportation is also ending next month. As a result, you are faced with the moral and ethical dilemma of what services will be cut, because it will impact program quality and community need.

Given the mission and vision of this organization and its current funding situation, which one of the following services should be cut?

QUESTION 1 of 6

Which of the services would you cut?

Select all answers that apply

a)
Health screening (Monthly blood pressure)

b)
Meal program (Daily lunch)

c)
Art program (Three times a week)

d)
Exercise program (Three times a week)

e)
Transportation services (Provided by the senior center to and from the site)

Part Two
What strategies could be considered to help retain the following programs and services: Transportation, meal program, health screening, exercise, and art program?

Organizations must think broadly about potential funding in a changing environment. The nurse is the most likely source for referral to resources and may reach out for support at the local, state, and/or federal level.

Here are examples of some potential strategies this organization might pursue:

Direct fundraising strategies for individual donations
Advocate for the services via a local politician to gain city, county, or statewide funding
Grant writing (grantors usually have specialized areas of focus to fund specific types of programs or services)
Fundraising events
Rally the community
Government programs such as Medicare and Paratransit
Consider creative ways you can incorporate these suggestions to retain needed services.

QUESTION 2 of 6
Provide 1–2 ideas for funding to keep transportation services.

Enter your response
QUESTION 3 of 6
Provide 1–2 ideas for funding to keep the meal program.

Enter your response
QUESTION 4 of 6
Provide 1–2 ideas for funding to keep exercise programs.

Enter your response
QUESTION 5 of 6
Provide 1–2 ideas for funding to keep art programs.

Enter your response
QUESTION 6 of 6
Provide 1–2 ideas for funding to keep health screenings.