VOAD Relationships in Action Dallas County VOAD Ebola Response 2014 Nikki J. Beneke, PT, CEAS President: Dallas County VOAD Past President Texas VOAD Chair: National VOAD Communication Committee

Objectives Identify at least 2 benefits of developing and cultivating relationships with disaster related organizations prior to a disaster. Understand the process for meeting the needs of contacts of Ebola patients that are essential to successful contact tracing, which is critical to interrupting transmission. © Beneke Consulting 2015

VOAD A unified organization that fosters, facilitates, and maximizes the ability of our members to serve the communities and the people in our communities. Guiding Principles: Cooperation, Communication, Coordination, and Collaboration A coalition of non-profit and non-governmental organizations that respond/are active during all phases of disaster © Beneke Consulting 2015

Who will fill the gaps and address the unmet needs? © Beneke Consulting 2015

Types of VOADs State VOAD Major Metropolitan VOAD Regional VOAD County VOAD Local VOAD © Beneke Consulting 2015

Building Strength Through Collaborations-VOAD Collaboration leads to trust, strong relationships and a more prepared and resilient community. What can you bring to the table? © Beneke Consulting 2015 6

Benefits of Collaboration Enhances knowledge, communication and information sharing Being inclusive attracts more resources – Money, Manpower and Materials Identifies gaps, problems, issues Coordinates efforts among agencies & organizations~Saves money, manpower and time Minimizes duplication of efforts and services Can ultimately accelerate progress Can greatly increase sustainability © Beneke Consulting 2015

Dallas County VOAD Ebola Response 2014 © Beneke Consulting 2015

Ebola Diagnosed Mr. Duncan was diagnosed as possible Ebola on Sept. 29, 2014 First imported case of Ebola diagnosed in the United States was confirmed on Sept. 30, 2014

First Step: Information Sharing Contact with the CDC for information for Volunteers in the Vickery Meadows area Concerns about stigmatizing Protocols to assist volunteers and worked with the CDC on communications © Beneke Consulting 2015

Unmet Needs Dallas County VOAD began to assist Louise Troh’s family with food. Oct. 1, 2014--Met with the CDC, DCHHS, Texas DSHS, City of Dallas and Dallas County Dallas County VOAD began to work with the epidemiologists to address the needs for the families being contact traced. 80 people/10 high risk. © Beneke Consulting 2015

Unmet Needs Oct. 3—County relocated Louise Troh’s family Dallas County VOAD provided all of the furniture and other household needs and personal needs of the family members in the home © Beneke Consulting 2015

Coordination Continues & Contact Tracing Increases Oct. 1--Contact tracing EMS crew who transported Mr. Duncan Oct. 5--Search for homeless man Michael Lively. Found and quarantined Oct. 6. Nina Pham diagnosed with Ebola Oct. 12—Moved to NIH on Oct.16 Amber Vinson diagnosed with Ebola Oct. 15—Moved to Emory Increased numbers being contact traced. © Beneke Consulting 2015

Coordination Continues Oct. 20—Contact tracing for 43 ends Oct. 21—112 people in Dallas monitored Oct. 24—Bentley Negative and home Nov. 1 Nov. 7—Contact Tracing ends Total people monitored 177 VOAD—AAR At the same time as the Ebola response, Dallas and Tarrant Counties had storms with damage and power outages.

Evaluate & Make Adjustments Flexibility is the Key! © Beneke Consulting 2015

Value of Engaging VOAD (and other community groups) Prior to Need Supports the Whole Community response approach Critical avenue for helping identify and provide unmet needs to the community. VOAD can help guide spontaneous organizations wanting to provide services. © Beneke Consulting 2015

Voluntary Agency Partnerships Strategies for Success Knowledge and awareness about the local community Volunteers who are qualified, trained and knowledgeable about the needs of the affected community Access to and established relationships with the local populations who may not trust others Considered “good stewards” of resources & donations Less hampered by “red tape” and political considerations—Programs reflect the people’s needs. Use the 4 “Cs” to serve the needs of the individuals, families and communities more efficiently. © Beneke Consulting 2015

OVERARCHING THEMES VOAD organizations are able to increase service to marginal/vulnerable populations both rural and urban. All disasters are local therefore a strong emphasis on local participation and leadership is needed in all decision making and planning. © Beneke Consulting 2015

Personal & Cultural needs Mental Health Spiritual and Emotional Anticipate the nonclinical needs of persons under public health surveillance. Engagement of the VOAD can provide for these needs: Housing Transportation Education, Employment Food Household needs Personal & Cultural needs Mental Health Spiritual and Emotional © Beneke Consulting 2015

Information Needs during the Ebola response:

What Information Can Do to Counter Stigma and FEAR: Learn the FACTS about Ebola and then share accurate information about how the virus spreads. Explain that Ebola is caused by a virus, not a person. Speak out against negative behaviors, negative social media statements Share the need for social support for people who have returned from the region © Beneke Consulting 2015

PEOPLE ARE RESILIENT © Beneke Consulting 2015

Questions/Comments

Nikki J. Beneke, PT, CEAS njb@benekeconsulting Nikki J. Beneke, PT, CEAS njb@benekeconsulting.com 214-697-6690 President: Dallas County VOAD Chair: National VOAD Communications Committee Chair: North Texas Long Term Recovery Council Past President: Texas VOAD