Emergency Preparedness

Welcome

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), as a division of the Department of Health and Human Services, is charged with the responsibility for leading Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response activities within the Department. Working with our Federal, State, Local, Tribal and Non-Governmental Organization partners (including grantees and government contractors) we work to ensure that the human services needs of impacted populations in a disaster are coordinated and addressed through a robust, comprehensive and integrated system delivering Federal and State assistance in a simple and seamless manner.

The Role of ACF

Technical Assistance on Federal Rules: Provide technical assistance to States, Tribes, and local governments on Federal human services programs and potential waivers or flexibilities that HHS can provide during a disaster to expedite benefits.
Continuity of Benefits for Clients: Work with States, Tribes, and other entities to ensure continuity of services to current human services clients, such as TANF, Medicaid, Meals on Wheels, etc.
Assist States with New Enrollees: Work with States, Tribes, and other entities who are hosting relocated populations or evacuees with human services needs.
Special Needs Populations: Work with States, Tribes, FEMA, the American Red Cross and other voluntary agencies and entities to address special needs populations in shelters or other displaced persons. This may include Shelter Assessment Teams who visit shelters and assist with immediate needs of residents.
Subject Matter Expert Teams: Provide human services subject matter expert and technical assistance teams who can be deployed to support States, Tribes, and other entities.
Human Services Partnerships: Build relationships with States, Tribes, grantees, local governments, Voluntary Agencies Active in Disasters (VOADS) and Voluntary Agency Groups (VOLAGs ) to address human services preparedness and response.
Assistance in Planning & Preparedness: ACF regional staff can provide technical assistance and support to tribal, state, and local governments and other organizations in their preparedness planning efforts.

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