Infrastructure Support
This brief outlines case studies, resources, and recommendations that counties and cities can take to explicitly and intentionally embed equity staff and practices into their emergency operations structures within the public health emergency response and recovery process. To implement this strategy, health departments should build robust community partnerships before a crisis occurs. They should collaborate with community based organizations, non-profits, and leaders to ensure that interventions are responsive to community needs. Before an emergency, health departments should create a coalition of community partners, and establish a Community Organization Active in Disaster group and agree upon decision-making structures, values, and resources. Health departments should compensate partners for their time. Finally, they should provide opportunity for feedback by creating a Community Advisory Group.