Department of Health and Human Services · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response
This step establishes relationships and identifies other potential partners and collaborators. Make an appointment to meet the key contacts at the overarching organizations and agencies to introduce yourself and explain the critical role these organizations will play in the process of reaching at-risk populations during an emergency.
Cook County Shares Information With Their Partners
The Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) in Illinois is taking a community-based approach to include at-risk populations in planning and preparedness efforts.
Fostering relationships with agencies that serve at-risk populations in the Chicagoland area is integral to the success of this endeavor. Since the summer of 2007, CCDPH has done extensive outreach to learn more about these agencies, their interest in emergency preparedness, and the value they see in partnering with a local health department.
As a result, CCDPH has had the opportunity to present on how to “Be Aware, Get Prepared, and Take Action,” a campaign that promotes individual and family preparedness to clients of partner agencies. More specifically, the presentation emphasized the role of public health, raised awareness about potential emergencies, and described how to put together an emergency kit and create a family communications plan.
Offer reciprocal assistance to the organizations and agencies that you ask for help. You might be able to help these potential partners by offering to share information or resources. Remember that they may also have concerns about spreading resources too thin.
Arrange a time to meet with several key contacts at a location most convenient for the attendees. If time and travel constraints make face-to-face meetings impractical, consider alternative means of getting together, such as a conference call. Regardless of meeting format, your role will be to facilitate the discussions and brainstorming on topics such as:
As you collaborate with your planning partners, be sure to address the terminology you will be using as descriptors, or definitions, for the at-risk populations you wish to include.
Department of Health and Human Services · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response