Health and Human Services
In an era of concern for influenza pandemics and terrorism, the U.S. must be ready to continue essential operations when confronted with all forms of man-made or naturally occurring disasters. Any compromise of essential public services for an extended period of time could cause catastrophic personal and economic losses that could negatively impact the nation's well being as well as that of its diverse state and local jurisdictions.
Consequently, the distinct levels of government (e.g. Federal, State, and local), business and industry, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and citizen groups all have a stake in public health preparedness and the continuity of vital human services. It is therefore critical to recognize that each entity has its own focus, unique mission and responsibility, varied resources and capabilities, and operating procedures and principles, and that each will have its own definition of a disaster and/or public health emergency.
IWA offers public health, public safety and human services subject matter experts who can help clients crystallize their preparedness and response strategies, and construct plans and approaches that holistically take into account the psychological health and wellness needs of both victims and Responders, requirements for coordinated medical intelligence and decision-making, and culturally sensitive and appropriate outreach to priority and traditionally hard-to-reach populations.
Health Communications and Marketing
IWA understands what is needed to successfully meet the challenges of creating standardized health consumer messaging for diverse multi-cultural communities. At times, various community leaders and stakeholder groups may have conflicting agendas. We know how to work with these groups to reach consensus-driven decisions. IWA accomplishes these objectives by employing a health and wellness marketing methodology that builds on the Bronx Health REACH Changing Systems and Changing Communities Model . It is an approach that recognizes that it takes a community working together to address health disparities and effect lasting change.
Public Health Preparedness
On behalf of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Preparedness, Detection and Control of Infectious Diseases, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, IWA conducted a Rapid Assessment Survey that will identify gaps in the readiness of state and local governments regarding their capacities to respond to large scale public health emergencies and support the promotion of best practices in community awareness and communications, organizational training and exercise design, and cross-jurisdictional liaison, as applicable.
Previously, IWA worked with the DC DOH’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Administration (HEPRA) to develop an accredited disaster mental health training curriculum designed to inform and educate critical incident responders on key principles related to Psychological First Aid (PFA) and the rendering of support to special needs populations