Capella 4055 Assessment 3

Name

Capella university

NURS-FPX4055 Optimizing Population Health through Community Practice

Prof. Name

Date

Disaster Recovery Plan

Valley City faces unique challenges in disaster recovery due to a combination of socio-economic disparities, communication gaps, and the complex needs of its aging and increasingly diverse population. Recent emergencies, including an oil train derailment and heightened tornado activity, underscore the importance of a coordinated recovery strategy. Aligning healthcare systems with government initiatives through evidence-based practices can improve communication and foster interprofessional cooperation. The Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) framework serves as a foundational guide for assessing these needs and directing local responses. Through this lens, Valley City’s preparedness and resilience can be evaluated to reduce health inequities and ensure fair access to essential services during crises (Capella University, n.d.).

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Determinants of Health and Barriers in Valley City

Several demographic and socio-health factors define Valley City’s vulnerabilities. The city’s population of 8,295 includes a significant portion of elderly residents—22% are aged 65 or older, with over 200 experiencing chronic or severe health conditions. These individuals face challenges in emergencies due to mobility limitations and ongoing medical needs (Capella University, n.d.). Adding to this vulnerability are 147 residents who experience communication or hearing impairments, many of whom rely on American Sign Language or lip-reading. Power outages or system failures during crises severely restrict their access to vital emergency information.

Further complicating disaster preparedness is Valley City’s evolving demographic landscape. While the majority of the population remains white, the Latino community is growing (currently at 3%), with an undetermined number of undocumented migrants who may have limited English proficiency. This population often lacks trust in government systems and struggles to receive timely alerts or services due to language barriers and fear of deportation (Capella University, n.d.).

Economic instability compounds these problems. Budget shortfalls have led to staff reductions in critical sectors such as policing and firefighting, weakening emergency response capabilities. The local hospital is nearly overwhelmed, with 97 of its 105 beds occupied, and relies on outdated medical equipment. Should fiscal challenges continue, staffing cuts could further hinder emergency healthcare delivery (Capella University, n.d.).

Table 1. Summary of Key Determinants and Barriers in Valley City

Determinant / Barrier	Description
Aging Population	22% aged 65+; 200+ with serious health issues
Disability and Communication Gaps	147 with disabilities impacting hearing/speech
Linguistic and Cultural Diversity	Growing Latino population; many undocumented and non-English speakers
Economic Constraints	City near bankruptcy; emergency service layoffs
Healthcare Infrastructure	Hospital at 92% capacity; outdated ambulance and equipment

Interrelationships Among Determinants and Barriers

The intersection of socio-cultural, economic, and health-related vulnerabilities creates a compounded effect on Valley City’s disaster resilience. Elderly residents and individuals with disabilities face physical and systemic barriers to evacuation and care. Emergency shelters often lack necessary accommodations, reducing access to essential services for these groups (Walter et al., 2021). Language and cultural isolation further complicate matters; undocumented migrants often avoid seeking aid due to fear of exposure to immigration enforcement, missing crucial health interventions (Mucha et al., 2024).

Economic decline intensifies these barriers. Layoffs in public safety sectors have delayed emergency responses, while homeless shelters operate at maximum capacity and lack the means to support growing needs. The local hospital cannot sustain a large-scale emergency influx without updated resources or additional staffing. This convergence of challenges—cultural separation paired with financial instability—requires comprehensive planning that prioritizes inclusivity and community empowerment (Mucha et al., 2024).

Promoting Health Equity Through a Culturally Sensitive Disaster Recovery Plan

Creating a disaster recovery plan rooted in cultural sensitivity and equity ensures that all community members receive adequate care and communication. For elderly residents, targeted measures like mobile healthcare units, prioritized evacuation, and coordination with long-term care providers can preserve continuity of care during emergencies (Walter et al., 2021).

Valley City fits the CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index profile: high concentrations of older adults, individuals with disabilities, and economically disadvantaged residents. Communication in multiple languages and the deployment of community health liaisons can bridge gaps for Latino and undocumented populations (CDC, 2024a). Integrating cultural competence in planning not only enhances access but also builds trust among marginalized communities.

Table 2. Health Equity Strategies for Disaster Recovery

Strategy	Population Targeted
Mobile health clinics	Seniors and chronically ill residents
Multilingual emergency messaging	Latino, undocumented, and non-English speakers
Health equity training for responders	All community groups
Culturally competent community outreach	Disabled, elderly, and linguistically isolated groups

Addressing systemic disparities through policy-informed strategies ensures that socially vulnerable populations are not disproportionately impacted. Equitable plans result in shorter recovery times and reduced suffering for all (Census.gov, 2023).

Role of Health and Governmental Policy: A CERC Framework Approach

Health and governmental policies have a central role in disaster recovery, especially when guided by the CERC framework, which emphasizes accuracy, speed, and empathy. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates accessible shelters, communication tools, and transportation during emergencies. In Valley City, however, gaps in ADA compliance—evident during the train derailment—highlight areas needing improvement (Iezzoni et al., 2022). Implementing visual and text-based alerts and providing disability-friendly evacuation services aligns with both ADA requirements and CERC principles.

Federal laws also provide structural support. The Stafford Act permits federal aid during declared emergencies, making funding available for infrastructure, medical supplies, and recovery efforts (FEMA, 2021). For Valley City’s under-equipped hospital and outdated emergency services, Stafford Act provisions can be lifesaving. Additionally, the Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA) of 2018 shifts policy toward proactive planning, encouraging hazard mitigation and long-term resilience (FEMA, 2021).

Table 3. Federal Policy Impacts on Valley City’s Recovery

Policy / Act	Application in Valley City
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)	Enforces accessibility in shelters, alerts, and evacuations
Stafford Act	Provides emergency federal funds for healthcare and infrastructure
DRRA (2018)	Supports pre-disaster upgrades (e.g., water, hospital systems)

Combined, these policies reinforce equitable recovery while enabling local leaders to track and correct disparities through trace mapping and public transparency (Borges et al., 2024).

Strategies to Overcome Communication Barriers and Interprofessional Collaboration

Effective disaster recovery requires strategic communication and teamwork among professionals, especially in a multilingual and medically diverse city like Valley City. The CERC model promotes prompt, truthful, and empathetic outreach, which can help bridge the gap for non-English speakers and individuals with disabilities (CDC, 2024b).

Valley City must employ visual and audio alerts, multilingual mobile apps, and real-time public messaging to ensure that everyone—including undocumented migrants, the hearing impaired, and the elderly—receives crucial information. Inclusive, culturally appropriate communication builds trust and improves compliance with safety directives (CDC, 2024b).

A coordinated Incident Command System (ICS) across police, fire, hospital, and emergency departments enhances collaborative response. Simulation drills and shared digital platforms (e.g., WebEOC, Microsoft Teams emergency modules) are essential to streamline real-time coordination and prevent duplicated efforts (Hanlin & Schulz, 2021). Research supports that interprofessional disaster simulations significantly improve team efficiency and response accuracy (Gundran et al., 2022).

Community health navigators and trained liaisons are vital for outreach to homeless, disabled, and non-English speaking populations. These personnel serve as bridges between emergency services and the people who often go underserved, ensuring no one is left behind.

Conclusion

Valley City’s vulnerability in the face of disasters is shaped by demographic challenges, strained infrastructure, and financial hardship. By applying the CERC framework and enforcing inclusive federal policies, the city can create a disaster recovery plan that ensures equity and trust. Addressing communication barriers, strengthening interprofessional collaboration, and prioritizing culturally sensitive care will allow Valley City to emerge stronger and more unified when future disasters strike.

References

ADA. (2021). Introduction to the Americans with Disabilities Act. ADA.gov. https://www.ada.gov/topics/intro-to-ada/

Borges, J., Harari, L., Jung, H., McFeely, M., & Siegrist, N. (2024, June 27). Indigenous worldviews and tribal priorities in hazard mitigation planning. Washington.edu. https://digital.lib.washington.edu/researchworks/items/9162b396-de70-4eaf-868d-77374f8d2be9

Capella 4055 Assessment 3

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

CDC. (2024a, October 22). Social vulnerability index. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/place-health/php/svi/index.html

CDC. (2024b, November). Crisis & emergency risk communication (CERC). https://www.cdc.gov/cerc/php/about/index.html

Census.gov. (2023). QuickFacts: Valley City, North Dakota. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/valleycitycitynorthdakota/PST045223

Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2021, November 18). Stafford Act. https://www.fema.gov/disaster/stafford-act

FEMA. (2021, July 6). Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 | FEMA.gov. https://www.fema.gov/disaster/disaster-recovery-reform-act-2018

Gundran, C. P. D., Lam, H. Y., Tuazon, A. C. A., Cleofas, J. V., Garcia, F. B., Puli, T. E. M., & Magdales, M. S. I. (2022). Enhancing mass casualty disaster management competencies through an integrated disaster simulation training program. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2022.103124

Hanlin, E. R., & Schulz, K. (2021). Incident command system and national incident management system. In Emergency Medical Services (pp. 263–272). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119756279.ch95

Capella 4055 Assessment 3

Iezzoni, L. I., Rao, S. R., Ressalam, J., Jankovic, D., Agaronnik, N. D., Lagu, T., Pendo, E., & Campbell, E. G. (2022). US physicians’ knowledge about the Americans with Disabilities Act and accommodation of patients with disability. Health Affairs, 41(1), 96–104. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2021.01136

Mucha, J., Tolksdorf, C., Jeangros, C., Refle, J.-E., & Jackson, Y. (2024). Social determinants of the healthcare needs of undocumented migrants living with non-communicable diseases: A scoping review. BMJ Public Health, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjph-2023-000810

Walter, L. A., Schoenfeld, E. M., Smith, C. H., Shufflebarger, E., Khoury, C., Baldwin, K., Hess, J., Heimann, M., Crosby, C., Sontheimer, S. Y., Gragg, S., Hand, D., McIlwain, J., Greene, C., Skains, R. M., & Hess, E. P. (2021). Emergency department–based interventions affecting social determinants of health in the United States: A scoping review. Academic Emergency Medicine, 28(6), 666–674. https://doi.org/10.1111/acem.14201