Community Capacity and Pandemic Preparedness Workshop Report

Community Capacity and Pandemic Preparedness Workshop Report A project of BC Coalition of People with Disabilities Funded by Public Health Agency of Canada Emergency Preparedness and Response 2009 community capacity and pandemic preparedness workshop report Contents 3 3 4 5 6 9 | | | | | | Background Pandemic Preparedness Workshop Panel: Pandemic Influenza and Psychosocial Support The Functional Needs Framework within a Larger Social Context Mapping Community Organizations’ Capacities and Resources Community and Institutional Discussions: Learning to Understand One Another Next Steps: Incorporating Pandemic Planning into Our Work Conclusion 11 | 11 | Acknowledgements Our thanks to the Public Health Agency of Canada, Emergency Preparedness and Response BC/Yukon Division for funding this project. Thanks also go to the Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities Committee, and Mary Ann Abbs and Tammie Tupechka of Hatching Change. Project Coordinator and Report Writer • Karen Martin For more information, please contact: Karen Martin BC Coalition of People with Disabilities 204-456 W. Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5Y 1R3 Tel 604-875-0188 , TTY 604-875-8835, Fax 604-875-9227 karen@bccpd.bc.ca, www.bccpd.bc.ca bc coalition of people with disabilities | page 2 community capacity and pandemic preparedness workshop report Background BCCPD and Emergency Preparedness From communication with the public during disasters, to evacuation, post-evacuation assistance and recovery, people with disabilities have different needs than the general public. Over the past few years, the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities (BCCPD) has been working collaboratively with a broad network of disability organizations and people with disabilities to respond to these needs by building relationships with the emergency management sector. Out of various consultations and workshops, BCCPD has prepared several publications and reports listed at the back of this report. An influenza pandemic, for example, is likely to have a greater effect on populations such as people with disabilities, seniors and people with compromised immune systems or prior illness. Pandemic Preparedness Workshop On March 24, 2009, community organizations and health representatives participated in a one-day workshop on Community Capacity and Pandemic Preparedness at Simon Fraser University, Harbour Centre, in Vancouver, BC. The workshop was organized by the Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities Committee (EPPDC) and coordinated by the BCCPD. Our thanks to the Public Health Agency of Canada, Emergency Preparedness and Response which funded this project. The EPPDC wanted to bring people together to discuss the issue of pandemics. An influenza pandemic, for example, is likely to have a greater effect on populations such as people with disabilities, seniors and people with compromised immune systems or prior illness.1 Our intention was to begin a dialogue on how we can work together to better prepare those individuals in our community that have a higher risk of vulnerability to influenza pandemic. This is a report of the workshop proceedings and discussions. Workshop Goals • • • • • 1 To build an understanding of and provide resources on pandemic influenza and its potential impacts, especially on people with disabilities and other vulnerable populations. “Pandemic Influenza 101” To provide information and begin dialogue on the aspects of and need for psychosocial support Through the Functional Needs Framework, to identify, resources and capacities of organizations, and the need for service continuity planning To explore how community organizations and health authorities can work together and support each other To build relationships between different stakeholders Astho, At-Risk Populations and Pandemic Influenza: Planning Guidance for State, Territorial, Tribal, and Local Health Departments, USA, June 2008 bc coalition of people with disabilities | page 3 community capacity and pandemic preparedness workshop report Panel: Pandemic Influenza and Psychosocial Support Linda Poirier, Director of Communicable Disease Control, Vancouver Coastal Health Pandemic influenza Poirier’s presentation covered the difference between influenza (the regular flu season we experience every year) and pandemic influenza. She also looked at the health impact of pandemic influenza and Vancouver Coastal Health’s (VCH) pandemic preparedness planning. She explained the types of influenza viruses, antigenic variation, how the virus is transmitted, as well as the incubation period and the period the virus is contagious. She talked about symptoms, complications, morbidity and mortality, as well as influenza control. Poirier then discussed the nature and history of pandemics and presented information on Avian influenza. To conclude, Poirier talked about the health impacts in the Vancouver Coastal Health region and provided information on further resources, including self-care information. The participants had many questions about pandemic influenza. Their feedback suggests that Poirier provided them with a wealth of easy-to-understand information and a greater insight into pandemic. Emily Nixon, Manager of Programs, Emergency Management Unit, Ministry of Health Services Psychosocial considerations of a pandemic influenza Nixon talked about how the psychosocial effect of a pandemic is expected to far outweigh the purely medical impact which will itself be substantial. The psychosocial consequences of a disaster can be behavioural, physical or emotional. Through best practices, identified by the Disaster and Extreme Events Preparedness Centre, the following psychosocial intervention options are suggested: • Provide supportive listening and opportunities to talk about experiences and losses • Assist with prioritizing and problem-solving • Help families to facilitate communication and effective functioning • Provide information on traumatic stress and coping • Provide information on referral services • Provide orienting information • Ensure physical needs are addressed (food, water, warmth) • Use multiple assessment methods to determine effects, as problems may be under reported • Assist in obtaining medical and financial assistance Nixon told the group it is vital to understand that psychosocial outcomes in a disaster: • are widespread and pervasive • extend across a spectrum of severity • vary in duration from brief to lifelong • are shaped by the nature of the disaster event bc coalition of people with disabilities | page 4 community capacity and pandemic preparedness workshop report Ensuring the overall psychosocial wellbeing of community members will be a critical component of an effective community response to a pandemic. Providing reliable and timely information, and addressing some of the emotional consequences of a pandemic, improve community morale and contribute to public health authorities’ ability to implement infection control and intervention strategies. The overall psychosocial wellbeing of community members will be a critical component of an effective community response to a Engaging people early on in the planning process can help ensure that the plans de- pandemic. veloped are relevant, have anticipated and addressed likely contingencies, and have promoted self-help and mutual aid strategies that build on the strength of formal and informal networks of support. The Functional Needs Framework within a Larger Social Context Karen Martin, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, BC Coalition of People with Disabilities The Functional Needs Framework and the Social Organization Framework A functional needs approach includes people with disabilities, as well as people who do not identify as having a disability, but do have limitations in any of these functional areas: hearing, seeing, breathing, walking and mobility, manipulating objects, language and communication, learning and understanding. For the purposes of emergency planning and response, the Functional Needs Framework has five categories: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Communication needs Medical needs Functional independence Supervision needs Transportation needs The Functional Needs Framework is a tool to identify and address the individual’s needs in an emergency or disaster. The Social Organization Framework is a tool that examines the larger social context of a community’s social networks, social capital and community capacity. Informal networks are relationships with family, friends, neighbours and work colleagues. Formal networks include community and government agencies such as community groups, social service organizations, faith-based organizations, schools, government programs and health services. Networks are essential for providing support to people in everyday life and in crisis situations, and most people are part of multiple networks. Some people, however, are isolated and excluded from network participation; this may include people such as individuals with disabilities, the frail elderly and people living in poverty. It is critical for communities to recognize the role that social networks play in developing community capacity which in turn can reduce the vulnerability of those members of the population at greatest risk. bc coalition of people with disabilities | page 5 community capacity and pandemic preparedness workshop report Social Capital is the interaction and trust amongst social networks. It is about the exchange of information and the reciprocity between individuals. If individuals receive information from community groups that they associate with and trust, the information is more likely to be viewed as credible. Mapping Community Organizations’ Capacities and Resources Asset Mapping Objectives • • • • To introduce participants to asset mapping as a tool for understanding organizational capacities To create asset maps of pandemic preparedness based on the Functional Needs Framework To discuss roles and working together To explore and identify the strengths of organizations around emergency preparedness for pandemic influenza The participants thought the mapping exercise was a good tool to stimulate and generate new ideas. It was a great way to visualize all the available resources in the community. bc coalition of people with disabilities | page 6 community capacity and pandemic preparedness workshop report Independence Capacity Individual Proactive in Community Know your neighbours Know about community resources Volunteerism Random acts of kindness Social Networks (formal and informal) Know your neighbours Community agencies you are linked to Block Watch Red Cross provides personal preparedness workshops, outreach, Call Centre information, and Family Reunification Encourage your employer to have an emergency and business continuity plan Getting Personally Prepared Have HELP/OKAY window sign Have an out-of-province contact Create a home plan Find out about your community’s emergency plan bc coalition of people with disabilities | page 7 community capacity and pandemic preparedness workshop report Communication Capacity Current Communication Methods of Participating Groups Print: newsletters, magazines, information sheets, pamphlets Internet/email: websites, email blasts How to Build on Current Ways of Communication Provide articles, preparedness tips, list resources Provide tips, articles, e-newsletters, links to Vancouver Coastal Health, Ministry of Health, Public Health Agency of Canada websites, provide a chat room, provide webinars (online seminars) Use community alerts to provide information during pandemic influenza, develop phone trees Get networks more involved, do joint community presentations with network groups, develop coordinated messaging with other groups bc coalition of people with disabilities New Ways of Communication Send letters to editors of newspapers about pandemic influenza and people with disabilities Phone/fax: community alerts by fax, phone calls to organizations about campaigns Networks/community: Peer support groups, memberships, networking with other community groups, community presentations Build new networks | page 8 community capacity and pandemic preparedness workshop report Medical Capacity Mitigation Surveillance Local and global networks Education and public awareness Publications, information dissemination Advocacy Planning Developing and testing Stockpiling response resources Plans Tool kits Education and public awareness Publications, information dissemination Advocacy Response Vaccines Information-gathering and monitoring Quarantine Triaging entry screening Public closure of venues Corpse management Recovery Psychosocial support Re-establishing support networks bc coalition of people with disabilities | page 9 community capacity and pandemic preparedness workshop report Community and Institutional Discussions: Learning to Understand One Another Objectives • • Exploring how community organizations and health authorities can work together and support each other Relationship building between different stakeholders Participants were divided into two groups–community and institutions–and were asked to prepare questions for each other to clarify roles, how to work together and how they can support one another. Individuals wrote down their questions on coloured paper (one colour for community; one for institutions) and put the questions in a hat. In the large group, participants passed around the hat and pulled a question from it to read out loud and ask for a response. The participants thought that this workshop exercise opened up a lot of dialogue and was a good way to bring out needs and resources. It helped individuals see issues from different perspectives. Community Groups’ Questions and Responses from Health Representatives Q: How can community groups help with public education about pandemic influenza? A: In Canada, we start with the individual and move out into the community in emergency situations. It is something that needs to be sourced by the community and put into action. A: Emergency preparedness starts with the individual, then the community, then the province and then the federal government. Q: How does privacy legislation affect pandemic planning? A: It is not related to planning, but it could be applicable to response. A: However, privacy legislation is considered in all activities. Q: Do the different levels of government health agencies have plans to engage community groups in emergency planning? If so, how? A: Through projects like the pilot Psychosocial Project with the Ministry of Health and Vancouver Coastal Health. A: Through contracting and licensing processes. A: Through staff education. Q: How do community groups engage in the planning process? A: Raise awareness of community needs. A: Networking is pivotal. A: Attracting a grass roots base. A: VCH funds different agencies, supports community agencies. A: Funding bodies, for example VCH’s Smart Fund. Q: Have your government programs/ministries considered creating a position within your emergency planning team that specifically focuses on the needs of people with disabilities in emergencies? You need to hire a person with a disability to do this. A: The Public Health Agency of Canada is not a first response agency, but it does have equal opportunity employment practices. bc coalition of people with disabilities | page 10 community capacity and pandemic preparedness workshop report A: The Ministry of Health has experienced budget cuts, so it is not likely new positions will be created right now. A: If Vancouver Coastal Health did population-based planning that would make sense, but it does geographicbased planning. *Note: The community groups were very passionate that there needs to be a position held by a person with a disability. Questions we did not have time to answer during the workshop • • • Do you have plans to reach out to “shut-ins?” Are they known to you? How do we learn about resources that we can access during an emergency? Is there a contingency plan for home support? Health Representatives’ Questions and Responses from the Community Group Representatives Q: How do community groups link in with government resources–municipal, provincial–what are the lines of communication? A: Get on distribution lists. A: Create contacts within government agencies and follow up. A: Join groups and associations to network, build relationships and connect to resources. Q: Do you have buy-in from your Board of Directors for EP work? Do you have EP training in your organizations? A: The Red Cross and the BCCPD have training. The other community groups recognize the need for training, but do not currently provide it. Q: Do you have an annual vaccination campaign for your staff? A: The BCCPD, BCITS and Neil Squire all encourage their staff and volunteers to get the flu vaccination every year. Q: What resources do you supply to your clients regarding pandemic preparedness? A: Currently, none of the community groups provide information about pandemic influenza to their clients or membership. We have not known about the resources out there which was part of the reason to hold this workshop. Q: Are you aware of what level of support is available? A: No. Sometimes there is too much information out there and it is a matter of knowing what and how to access the credible information. This requires raising awareness and education. Q: What are your expectations of support from institutions and government during a pandemic influenza? A: We expect them to have information readily available to the public in different formats: video, text, audio, etc. A: They should educate children in schools. A: There should be TV information ads about washing hands. Questions we did not have time to answer during the workshop • • How current is your knowledge of services? Do you have a Service Continuity plan for a pandemic and for all hazards? bc coalition of people with disabilities | page 11 community capacity and pandemic preparedness workshop report Next Steps: Incorporating Pandemic Planning into Our Work All of the participants were asked to answer the question: “One thing my organization can do is...” • Empower front line employees by providing them with the information required to take care of themselves • Create a Functional Needs-based educational resource (pamphlet) for clients on how to better prepare for emergencies, including pandemic • Have an information page in our Transition magazine (distribution 6,000 in BC) with tips and resource links • Share the information made available today with our membership • Make our staff and clients aware and provide them with the tools to create an action plan. This could serve them in a pandemic or other emergency and they can share it with others • Work in partnership with individuals and organizations to develop an innovative and comprehensive approach to pandemic planning and emergency preparedness and response. Promote the health of all Canadians. • I can write an article (or have someone from the disability community write it) that addresses the activities that are being done ( i.e. this workshop) and should be done. This is for a health-sector-wide newsletter that is distributed locally, provincially, nationally and internationally. • Be/provide a channel of communication to link resources via our website and newsletter/magazine • Provide guidelines for personal and workplace emergency preparedness to family, work, clients • Provide education about the importance of getting a flu shot and hand washing • Provide training Conclusion Community group participants found the information the speakers presented to be “eye opening.” Overall, the workshop feedback from participants was positive. Participants felt that there was a great exchange of ideas and information, and they enjoyed a feeling of good community spirit. Many participants expressed that, while there was a good cross-section of people, they would have liked even more representation from health and non-governmental organizations. Participants also identified a need for more efforts to bring community groups and health representatives together to share resources, ideas and plan around pandemic influenza for people with disabilities and other high risk populations. bc coalition of people with disabilities | page 12 community capacity and pandemic preparedness workshop report Workshop Participants We thank the following organizations for helping to make this workshop successful and informative. There were one to two representatives from each of the following: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • BC Coalition of People with Disabilities (BCCPD) BC Association for Individualized Technology and Supports (BCITS) BC Persons with AIDS Society (BCPWA) Burnaby Mental Wealth Society Cerebral Palsy Association of BC (CPABC) City of Vancouver, Emergency Social Services (ESS) International Society of the Handicapped (ISH) Lions Bay, Emergency Social Services (ESS) Ministry of Health, Emergency Management Unit (MoH) Neil Squire Society Paul Dixon and Associates Public Health Agency of Canada, Emergency Preparedness and Response (PHAC) Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) Canadian Red Cross, Disaster Services Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), Communicable Disease Control Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), Emergency Management Voice of the Cerebral Palsied of Greater Vancouver (VCPGV) Related BCCPD Publications This is the list of emergency preparedness publications prepared by BCCPD, along with the primary audience(s) for each. • A Road Map to Emergency Planning for People with Disabilities (all sectors, including people with disabilities), • Workplace Emergency Planning for Workers with Disabilities: A Handbook for Employers and Workers (employers and employees), • Checklist to Facilitate Health Emergency Planning for At-Risk People (health and emergency planners) • Learning C-MIST: Train-the-Trainer: Helping individuals with disabilities create personal preparedness plans (disability organizations) • Public Safety Education Plan for Vulnerable, At-Risk and Multicultural Populations (emergency preparedness educators) • The Search for Inclusivity and Accessibility: A Review of Provincial Emergency Planning Guidelines and Training (Provincial Emergency Program, Emergency Social Services and emergency preparedness educators) • Community Capacity and Pandemic Preparedness Workshop report (disability organizations, emergency health planners) All are available from the BCCPD website, at www.bccpd.bc.ca, under Projects. bc coalition of people with disabilities | page 13 community capacity and pandemic preparedness workshop report Our Thanks BCCPD would like to thank these funders who assisted with various aspects of our emergency planning projects and publications. • • • • • • • BC Ministry of Health, Emergency Management Branch BC Paraplegic Foundation Public Health Agency of Canada, Emergency Preparedness and Response, BC/Yukon Office United Way of the Lower Mainland Vancouver Foundation WorkSafe BC Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia, Innovations at Work Grant bc coalition of people with disabilities | page 14