1. 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

2. 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

3. 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
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4. Who will fill the gaps and address the unmet needs?
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5. Types of VOADs State VOAD Major Metropolitan VOAD Regional VOAD
County VOAD
Local VOAD
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6. 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?
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7. 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

8. Dallas County VOAD Ebola Response 2014
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9. 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

10. 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
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11. Unmet Needs
Dallas County VOAD began to assist Louise Troh’s family with food.
Oct. 1, 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

12. 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
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13. 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

14. 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.

15. Evaluate & Make Adjustments
Flexibility is the Key!
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16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. Information Needs during the Ebola response:

21. 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

22. PEOPLE ARE RESILIENT
© Beneke Consulting 2015

23. Questions/Comments

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