The National I&R Support Center held a contest in the spring of 2022 to identify and disseminate promising practices that can help strengthen current and future disaster readiness and response within the Information & Referral/Assistance (I&R/A) field. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and a wide range of disaster and emergency situations, I&R/A programs have played a vital role in connecting individuals, caregivers, and families to needed services and resources. The Support Center is pleased to release promising practice profiles of Atlantis Community, Inc. and the Aging and Disability Resource Center – Hawai’i Island, the first and second place contest awardees. Atlantis’ I&R/A program has been an anchor point for responding to the needs of community members during the pandemic, engaging with new and existing community partners, and fostering development of new programs in areas such as technology access, vaccine information, and emergency transition services. The ADRC – Hawai’i Island, in responding to the pandemic, developed and implemented a Person-Centered Emergency Planning Program that includes training, an individualized Emergency Planning Workbook and support in completing this workbook, and items to start personalized emergency kits. See the promising practice profiles to learn more about these innovative approaches to disaster preparedness and response.

Click here for the profile Atlantis Community Inc. Strengthens Disaster Response through Intentional Partnerships

Click here for the profile Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) – Hawai’i Island Fosters Disaster Preparedness through Person-Centered Emergency Planning