Emergency Preparedness
The Role of ACF
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.
- 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.
State Emergency Management Agencies
- Arizona Division of Emergency Management
- California Emergency Management Agency
- Hawaii State Civil Defense
- Nevada Division of Emergency Management
- American Samoa Department of Homeland Security, Territorial Emergency Management Coordinating Office
- Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Emergency Management Office
- Republic of Palau, National Emergency Management Office
- Guam Homeland Security, Office of Civil Defense
Federal Agencies and Other Links
- HHS Disasters & Emergencies
- HHS Disasters & Emergencies for Families and Individuals
- HHS Office of Preparedness and Emergency Operations
- Department of Homeland Security
- CDC Emergency Preparedness and Response
- Pandemic Flu
- Ready Gov
- FEMA
- National Weather Service
- American Red Cross