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Public Health - Seattle & King County has formed a Vulnerable Populations Action Team (VPAT) to coordinate countywide preparedness efforts with a wide variety of community partners. The team includes a diverse cross section of staff with public health expertise in vulnerable populations, preparedness and infectious diseases. First efforts focus on influenza pandemic planning, with other emergencies included as partnerships and networks are strengthened.
Vision
By working collaboratively with community partners, Public Health's VPAT initiative ensures that no one group is more impacted than another in an emergency.
Aim
We will assure access to public health preparedness, response and recovery information and services for the most at-risk and hardest-to-reach residents in King County. We will do this through mutually respectful relationships with vulnerable communities and the organizations that serve them.
Goal 1
We will identify and better understand the preparedness, response and recovery needs of community-based organizations that serve vulnerable populations.
Goal 2
Essential public health information will reach residents in all vulnerable population communities prior to and throughout an emergency event.
Goal 3
Community-based organizations will be better prepared to continue delivery of services in an emergency. They will have the skills/capacity to train their staff, clients and volunteers to provide basic response and recovery services.
Goal 4
Vulnerable populations planning activities will be integrated into government, healthcare, community-based organization and internal public health systems.
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