The Health & Equity Workgroup ensures that RV COAD’s preparedness, response, and recovery activities provide appropriate support to address unmet human needs of individuals with access and functional needs (AFN) and advance inclusion. We center culturally responsive, trauma-informed approaches that recognize emotional and spiritual well-being as essential components of health and safety in disaster. We embed equity and inclusive practices across disaster planning, coordination, and implementation. In partnership with health and human services providers, community partners, and emergency management, we strengthen the region’s capacity to serve diverse communities in Jackson and Josephine County. We align our efforts with the Jackson County Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) to the extent practicable.
2026 Workplan Goals
Increase participation and representation, recruiting agencies providing mental health supports, and serving access and functional needs populations and culturally specific organizations.
Facilitate exercises and collaborate on partner-led exercises with a focus on including mental health, and supports for access and functional needs and culturally specific populations.
Evaluate and improve sheltering protocols in coordination with emergency management and evacuation shelter providers.
Facilitate Psychological First Aid training to strengthen responder and partner capacity.
Establish and maintain coordination with emergency response partners in Josephine County.
Review Rogue Valley COAD planning documents to align work group efforts with regional recovery and preparedness priorities.
Participate in Rogue Valley COAD after-action review conversations to support continuous improvement and shared learning.
Promote health and emotional support trainings for partners, leadership, and Steering Committee members.
Access and Functional Needs (AFN) Definition
This definition aligns with FEMA and Oregon Emergency Management guidance on planning for individuals with access and functional needs.
The term Access and Functional Needs (AFN) refers to individuals who may require additional assistance before, during, or after an emergency due to specific functional needs in one or more of the following CMIST areas:
Communication – Individuals who may have limitations related to hearing, seeing, speaking, understanding, reading, or writing, including those with limited English proficiency.
Medical – Individuals who rely on medical care, medications, durable medical equipment, or assistive devices to maintain health and safety.
Independence – Individuals who require mobility support, service animals, personal assistance, or adaptive equipment to remain self-sufficient.
Safety, Support, and Self-Determination – Individuals who need behavioral, cognitive, or protective support to remain safe and maintain autonomy.
Transportation – Individuals who need accessible or assisted transportation to evacuate, relocate, or access services.
AFN planning recognizes that these needs exist across all segments of the population and aims to ensure equitable access to emergency information, services, and resources for all residents.