Topic of the Month Archives
Online Disaster Education and Cultural Competence
Efforts to integrate the principles of cultural competence into emergency preparedness and response plans have gained momentum in recent years. While training and education are key to improving cultural competence, the economic recession has prompted cuts to the budgets of public health and emergency management agencies across the country—limiting opportunities for on-sight training and education. Below is a list of free online courses and training modules on cultural competence and related topics, many of which offer continuing education credits.
Cultural Competency Curriculum for Disaster Response: This set of online courses provides guidance for emergency personal responding to the needs of diverse communities following a disaster. The curriculum is grounded in the Office of Minority Health’s CLAS Standards which span the topics of culturally competent care, language access services, and organizational supports. The courses were developed by the Office of Minority Health and CECs are available.
Culture and Health Literacy- Case Studies: This online training module contains pre and post-tests and describes three local efforts to close the health literacy gap in Minnesota, including ECHO Minnesota which focuses on emergency preparedness in culturally diverse communities. The course was developed by the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and CECs are available.
Ethical Issues in Disaster Response: This online training module discusses ethical issues in disaster response as well as cultural competency. The course was developed by the North Carolina Center for Public Health Preparedness and CEUs are available.
Special Needs Planning Considerations for Emergency Management: This web-based course is designed to provide emergency management officials and first responders with a better understanding of special needs populations and strategies for partnering with the organizations that support them. The course is provided by FEMA and CEUs are available.
Special Needs Populations in Disaster Response: This introductory level course on disaster response focuses on the needs of special populations and discusses how culture and religion should be considered when designing and executing consequence management activities during a crisis. The course is provided by the South Central Public Health Partnership.
Title VI—Cultural Competency: This online training module provides general information on Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the integration of culturally competent practices into public health preparedness and emergency response. The module is provided by the North Carolina Center for Public Health Preparedness and CEUs are available.
Building Partnerships with Tribal Governments: This computer-based course is designed to provide participants with basic knowledge to build effective partnerships with tribal governments to protect native people and property against all types of hazards. The course is provided by FEMA and CEUs are available.
Building Systems through Partnerships: This online education session discusses the importance of emergency management in tribal nations. By the end of the session participants should be able to describe emergency management programs and activities in tribal nations in Washington State and discuss the importance of partnering with tribal nations. The course is provided by the Northwest Tribal Emergency Management Council.