LONG-TERM HEALTH AND WELL-BEING RECOVERY PLAN. Hudson Regional Health Commission

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1 LONG-TERM HEALTH AND WELL-BEING RECOVERY PLAN Hudson Regional Health Commission 6/13/2014

2 Table of contents A. Long Term Health and Well-being Recovery Plan...2 A2. Narrative...2 A2. Detailed Plan..3

3 HUDSON COUNTY LONG TERM RECOVERY PLAN Introduction Superstorm Sandy made landfall in New Jersey on October 29, The storm caused unprecedented damage to New Jersey s housing, business, infrastructure, health, social service and environmental sectors. Superstorm Sandy made it clear that governmental public health continues to have a significant role in recovery from disasters. After the initial response, there is a long-term need to ensure that the outstanding and long-term health, behavioral health, and social service needs of Superstorm Sandy survivors are identified and addressed. Hudson Regional Health Commission has shown through the Hudson County Superstorm Sandy Assessment there is a continuing need to connect survivors with long term recovery programs such as NJ 211 and case management services through Hudson County Long Term Recovery Committee. Low community awareness of such programs emphasizes a need for a recovery plan to better connect the community with available recovery resources. From 350 surveyed individuals only seventeen percent (17%) were aware of case management services from HCLTRC, and only sixteen percent (16%) were aware of NJ 211. Seven percent (7%) of individuals report that they have recovered halfway, six percent 6% report that they have recovered a little, and three (3%) report to not have recovered at all. The failure of individuals to return to a pre-sandy condition may be due to the lack of knowledge of available resources. One of the subjects not touched on by Hudson Regional Health Commission s Superstorm Sandy Health and Well-Being Assessment survey was exposure to harmful substances during repairs from the effects of Superstorm Sandy as well as improper generator use resulting in high levels of carbon monoxide exposure. In the days and months following the storm an increase in call volume to New Jersey Poison Information Education System (NJ PIES) was seen with calls related to Sandy. NJPIES reported calls from each of the state s counties except Salem. Calls of individuals coming into contact with dangerous substances such as carbon monoxide (improper generator use), gasoline, asbestos, lead and other harmful household substances were due in part to demolition, cleanup and power outages. Hudson Regional Health Commission s recovery plan will include outreach for community residents and others involved in Sandy related home repairs. Outreach will highlight the dangers of exposure to harmful substances related to cleanup of Superstorm Sandy, as well as the improper use of generators to power tools or lighting during repairs. Hudson Regional Health Commission s Superstorm Sandy Health and Well-Being Recovery Plan is outlined below. The goals and purposes of this plan address the CDC s Public Health Preparedness Capability 2: Community Recovery. All activities and planning are aimed at continuing to monitor the health and well-being of survivors, and connecting them with needed recovery resources. Assessment process To assess the efficacy of Hudson Regional Health Commission s planned activities we will utilize various methods of evaluation that include monitoring the inquiries for HCLTRC, NJ 211/Register Ready (including hits on websites and social media), documentation of individuals successfully connected to recovery resources, and successful delivery of NJPIES workshops for both facilitators and the community in general. In general, the overarching goal is to expand the composition of the HCLTRC to include mental and behavioral health professions, to increase the awareness and utilization of recovery based services such as HCLTRC and NJ 211, and to engage the community in ongoing recovery updates that will include information about safe methods of home cleanup and repair.

4 Goal Statement for Prioritized Unmet Health, behavioral Health and Social Service Need (s) Lack of awareness of Hudson County Long Term Recovery Committee Objective: Enhance recovery efforts by strengthening the network of available resources for Sandy survivors in Hudson County based upon known and identified gaps in existing services Planned activities: Continue to participate in both the Hudson County Long Term Recovery Committee monthly meetings, as well as the monthly Unmet Needs meeting Endeavor to increase membership in the HCLTRC to include medical, mental and behavioral health professionals from within the county Conduct at least three Sandy Recovery Updates for survivors and other stakeholders to share progress made towards efforts to strengthen the recovery network, and highlight existing resources such as the HCLTRC, NJ 211/Register Ready Address at least one identified recovery infrastructure gap Outputs: Attendance sheets/minutes for HCLTRC Registration sheets for recovery update sessions Flyers, brochures, other print materials for HCLTRC and NJ211/Register Ready Client History Contact and Referral Log Progress Monitoring Increase in mental and behavioral health professionals participating in HCLTRC Increase in the number of cases for HCLTRC caseworkers Increase in number of clients being successfully linked to recovery resources Community and stakeholder participation in Sandy Recovery Update sessions Successful resolution of at least one identified recovery infrastructure gap

5 Goal Statement for Prioritized Unmet Health, behavioral Health and Social Service Need (s) Lack of awareness of NJ 211 Program and Register Ready Objective: To increase the community s awareness and utilization of the HCLTRC and NJ 211/Register Ready Planned activities: Conduct a strategic advertising campaign using multiple media, including but not limited to print (newspapers), radio and websites and social media Create and disseminate HCLTRC and NJ211/Register Ready print materials such as flyers and brochures in Hudson County libraries, town halls and other well- visited community areas Disseminate print materials at health fairs, street fairs, and other community events Outputs: Print Flyer Print Advertisement Website postings Social Media postings and tweets Progress monitoring Increase in the number of phone calls to NJ 211 Increase in referrals to HCLTRC Increase in number Sandy survivors enrolled in case management services Increase in the number of hits on NJ 211/Register Ready widget on HRHC and website Increase in number of enrollees to the Register Ready program via monthly Register Ready reports

6 Goal Statement for Prioritized Unmet Health, behavioral Health and Social Service Need (s) Lack of awareness of poisoning dangers caused by Superstorm Sandy Objective: Reduce illness and injuries resulting from cleanup and repairs associated with Superstorm Sandy Planned activities: Attend NJ PIES (NJ Poison Information and Education System) Train the Trainer session Conduct Train the Facilitator workshops with local health, Medical Reserve Corps and other community partners Conduct community trainings on the hazards associated with chemicals used in home repairs, as well as improper generator use during the repair process Outputs: Presentation Print Flyer Press Release Website posting Social Media Registration sheets from trainings Progress monitoring: Attendance from at least one program representative in each of the four most impacted towns in Hudson County Two trained MRC facilitators Successfully attended community workshops in the four most impacted towns in Hudson County A decrease in the number of recovery related calls to NJPIES