1. Limited English Proficiency All Hazards Workgroup Wicomico County

2. History of Workgroup ► 11/2006 Health Officer Holds “Special Needs Community Meeting” Goal: Empower organizations responsible for Special Needs groups; to plan for Pandemic influenza and all-hazards emergencies.  Subcommittees Developed ► Mental and Physical Disabilities ► Aging, ► Behavioral Health ► Economically Disadvantaged ► Limited English Proficiency ► 1/2007: Initial LEP Subcommittee Workgroup Meeting ► Workgroup Continues to Meet 6 Times Per Year Total Number of Members: 45 Consistent Attendees: 10-15

3. Objectives of Workgroup ► Identify LEP Population in Community  Languages, Location, Leaders ► Empower LEP Servicing Agencies  Educate/Raise Awareness  Emergency Preparedness Advocates  Assist in Development of Emergency Preparedness Plans ► Educate/Raise Awareness  All-Hazards Emergency Planning and Response  Pandemic Influenza

4. Activities To Date Under the Guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “Public Health Workbook to Define, Locate, and Reach Special, Vulnerable, and At-Risk Populations in an Emergency. ► Collected Basic Population Information ► Developed Contact Database: Service Providers, Churches, Houses of Worship, Employers, Community Congregation Points, Schools ► Conducted Community Needs Surveys ► GIS Mapping of LEP Communities in County ► GIS Mapping of Service Providers in County

5. Location of LEP Clients Served by Wicomico County Health Department

6. Next Steps ► Overlapping of GIS Maps to Determine Gaps ► Identify Community Leaders & Establish “Train-the-Trainer” System ► Conduct Focus Groups to Identify Needs and Barriers of Communication ► Determine Best Methods of Information Dissemination for Population ► Develop Messages and Materials to Reach LEP Population (Pre-Event and Post-Event)

7. Additional Next Steps ► Continue Working with Community Organizations, Government Agencies, First Responders and Service Providers (Education/Training) ► LEP Community Network ► LEP Registry ► Enhancement of Delmarva Regional Healthcare Mutual Aid Group (DRHMAG) – Public Information Network

8. Upcoming Meetings and Events April 23 rd June 18 th Guest Speaker Kay Abby from the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Preparedness. August 20 th All meetings are held at Wicomico County Library Room 4 from 3:00pm - 4:15pm.

9. Contact Information Tammy L. Griffin Health Promotion Supervisor Public Information Officer Wicomico County Health Department 108 East Main Street Salisbury, Maryland 21801 410-334-3480 Ext 248 www.wicomicohealth.org