NURS FPX 4055 Assessment 3 Disaster Recovery Plan

Student Name

Capella University

NURS-FPX4055 Optimizing Population Health through Community Practice

Prof. Name

Date

Disaster Recovery Plan

In communities such as Tall Oaks, effective disaster recovery often encounters roadblocks due to social and economic disparities, communication challenges, and cultural diversity. These factors complicate cohesive emergency responses. To navigate these issues, it is crucial to merge governmental and healthcare policies with structured communication and interprofessional collaboration. The Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) framework serves as the foundation for evaluating how these combined strategies impact health equity, communication efficiency, and recovery success during emergencies.

A critical component of any disaster recovery strategy is ensuring inclusive communication and equitable services. In Tall Oaks, a city marked by diversity and financial strain, the ability to recover is influenced by various social determinants. Low-income levels and minimal access to education diminish health literacy, creating vulnerabilities during disasters. Residents without health insurance or with disabilities often lack the means or support to seek necessary care. Additionally, multicultural demographics, particularly among Hispanic/Latino populations, bring both benefits and challenges in communication and healthcare access. Trust issues and language barriers hinder effective response efforts. Disadvantaged groups, such as the elderly and disabled, face further isolation in emergencies due to insufficient support systems and infrastructural failures, especially in flood-prone areas like Pine Ridge and Willow Creek.

To ensure health equity in disaster recovery, Tall Oaks must employ a socially just, culturally competent framework. The plan incorporates multilingual outreach, community mobile health units, and financial relief programs aimed at underserved populations. These efforts seek to bridge systemic gaps and prioritize vulnerable groups. Strategic partnerships with local organizations foster trust and enhance the accessibility of support systems. Culturally tailored training for healthcare and emergency staff ensures services are delivered with sensitivity and accuracy. When combined, these elements promote long-term resilience and equitable recovery outcomes.

Interrelationships Among Determinants and Barriers

The challenges that Tall Oaks faces are not isolated but interconnected. Income inequalities lead to poor housing in flood-risk zones, putting financially vulnerable residents at increased risk during disasters. Limited educational opportunities contribute to low health literacy, which hinders residents’ understanding of emergency protocols. Cultural and linguistic divides between healthcare providers and non-English-speaking residents delay critical responses and limit care access. These issues are compounded by damaged infrastructure and transportation barriers, prolonging recovery for those already marginalized.

For a successful disaster response, Tall Oaks must consider the intertwined nature of its social and health-related barriers. Coordination among various services—public health, emergency response, transportation, and community organizations—ensures a unified and efficient approach. When systems remain fragmented, recovery delays are common, and inequities deepen. Policies must therefore invest in resilient infrastructure and culturally aware communication tools to support inclusive disaster recovery strategies.

Investing in culturally appropriate communication also reduces gaps in adherence to emergency guidance. Efforts such as translating materials, providing real-time interpretation services, and holding bilingual town halls address these gaps. Furthermore, incorporating community voices through feedback loops ensures that response plans reflect actual needs, thus enabling both efficiency and equity in disaster responses. The combination of infrastructure development, financial support, and culturally sensitive practices fosters stronger community resilience.

Health and Governmental Policy Integration: The CERC Framework

Health and governmental policies play a critical role in disaster recovery, especially when aligned with the CERC framework from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This model emphasizes clear, timely, and culturally appropriate communication throughout all phases of disaster management. The CDC offers free training sessions through the CERC program, equipping over 5,000 professionals in 2024 with skills to enhance communication and public health responses (CDC, 2025).

Policies like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandate accessible emergency resources for all individuals, including those with mobility or communication challenges. Tall Oaks meets these requirements by ensuring the availability of ramps, interpreters, and adaptable services in recovery centers. In addition, the Robert T. Stafford Act provides federal support to help the city restore infrastructure and deliver services to underserved populations. The Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA) of 2018 expands funding options and enhances flexibility, allowing funds to be used for both medical needs and housing recovery.

A data-driven approach using trace mapping, derived from public health models, enables authorities to pinpoint service gaps and direct aid accordingly. These tools support informed decision-making and ensure targeted support. By embedding these legislative frameworks into the disaster recovery plan, Tall Oaks positions itself to uphold inclusive, fair, and effective recovery practices for all community members, regardless of socioeconomic or health status.

Summary Table

References

ADA. (2025). Health Care and the Americans With Disabilities Act | ADA National Network. https://adata.org/factsheet/health-care-and-ada

Bailie, J., Matthews, V., Bailie, R., Villeneuve, M., & Longman, J. (2022). Exposure to risk and experiences of river flooding for people with disability and carers in rural Australia: A cross-sectional survey. BMJ Open, 12(8), e056210. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056210

Bhugra, D., Tribe, R., & Poulter, D. (2022). Social justice, health equity, and mental health. South African Journal of Psychology, 52(1), 3–10. https://doi.org/10.1177/00812463211070921

Blackman, D., Prayag, N., Nakanishi, H., Chaffer, J., & Freyens, B. (2023). Wellbeing in disaster recovery: Understanding where systems get stuck. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 95, 103839. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2023.103839

Bonfanti, R. C., Oberti, B., Ravazzoli, E., Rinaldi, A., Ruggieri, S., & Schimmenti, A. (2023). The role of trust in disaster risk reduction: A critical review. IJERPH, 21(1), 29. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21010029

Capella University. (n.d.). RN to BSN: Online bachelor’s degree. https://www.capella.edu/online-nursing-degrees/bachelors-rn-to-bsn-completion/

NURS FPX 4055 Assessment 3 Disaster Recovery Plan

CDC. (2025). Crisis & Emergency Risk Communication (CERC). https://www.cdc.gov/cerc/php/about/index.html

Horn, P. D., Lindsay, A. E., & M. E. (2021). The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 (DRRA): Implementation update tables for select provisions. https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R46774

Kristian, I., & Fajar, M. (2024). Integrating community-based approaches into national disaster management policies: Lessons from recent natural disasters. IJLRSA, 2(4), 115–125. https://doi.org/10.58818/ijlrsa.v2i4.150

Sheerazi, S., Awad, S. A., & von Schreeb, J. (2025). Use of mobile health units in natural disasters: A scoping review. BMC Health Services Research, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-12067-9

Vandrevala, T., Morrow, E., Coates, T., Boulton, R., Crawshaw, A. F., O’Dwyer, E., & Heitmeyer, C. (2024). Strengthening the relationship between community resilience and health emergency communication: A systematic review. BMC Global and Public Health, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s44263-024-00112-y

Yazdani, M., & Haghani, M. (2024). A conceptual framework for integrating volunteers in emergency response planning and optimization assisted by decision support systems. Progress in Disaster Science, 24, 100361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdisas.2024.100361