NURS FPX 4055 Assessment 3 Disaster Recovery Plan

Name

Capella university

NURS-FPX4055 Optimizing Population Health through Community Practice

Prof. Name

Date

Disaster Recovery Plan

Tall Oaks faces considerable challenges in disaster recovery, largely due to socio-economic inequality, cultural diversity, and language barriers. These issues hinder efficient communication, delay services, and limit collaborative responses during crises. To mitigate these challenges, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) model provides a structured framework. This model emphasizes responsive, inclusive communication and guides community-specific interventions that reduce health disparities and improve service equity.

The city’s proposed disaster recovery approach hinges on strengthening trust, interprofessional collaboration, and acknowledging diverse community perspectives. A central element of this approach is cross-sector communication guided by the CERC framework, which supports coordinated responses and ensures that recovery efforts address both immediate and long-term needs with cultural sensitivity.

Tall Oaks’ demographic profile presents unique hurdles to recovery. With a population of approximately 50,000, the city has a median income of \$44,444, leaving many unable to afford emergency services or housing repairs post-disaster. In areas like Pine Ridge and Willow Creek, the risk is elevated due to flood-prone geography. Health literacy, at just 22.5%, remains low due to educational deficits and minimal access to tertiary institutions. The racial makeup—49% White, 36% Black, and 25% Hispanic/Latino—brings rich cultural diversity but also contributes to disparities in disaster communication and healthcare access (Capella University, n.d.).

Vulnerable groups, including uninsured residents under 65, people with disabilities, and seniors with limited mobility, face disproportionate hardship during emergencies. Deficient public infrastructure worsens their access to timely evacuation and medical aid. Thus, recovery planning must be holistic and inclusive.

Table 1

Key Socioeconomic and Demographic Barriers in Tall Oaks

Barrier Type	Impact on Disaster Response
Low Income	Limits access to healthcare and shelter
Poor Health Literacy	Leads to misinterpretation of emergency protocols
Cultural & Language Barriers	Creates communication gaps in disaster outreach
Physical Disabilities	Restricts evacuation and urgent medical access
Damaged Infrastructure	Delays service delivery and access to facilities

When these challenges intersect, recovery becomes prolonged and inequitable. Infrastructure breakdowns can isolate entire communities, worsening economic and health outcomes. Therefore, equity-focused planning is not optional—it is essential.

Interrelationships Among Determinants and Barriers

The obstacles to disaster recovery in Tall Oaks are interconnected, forming a web of compounded vulnerabilities. Families with lower income levels are typically housed in structurally weak, flood-risk areas. Coupled with limited education, this results in low preparedness and limited access to critical updates during emergencies. Language barriers are particularly prevalent among Hispanic/Latino communities, impeding communication and eroding trust in healthcare systems.

Public infrastructure failures further exacerbate these issues. Disconnected neighborhoods struggle to access hospitals, pharmacies, or shelters. Individuals with chronic health conditions or mobility challenges are disproportionately impacted when assistive services are not immediately available (Blackman et al., 2023). These overlapping conditions amplify the impact of disasters, making recovery not only slower but also more unequal.

Bridging these gaps requires a long-term, strategic vision. Enhancing health literacy through public campaigns, strengthening infrastructure in vulnerable zones, and prioritizing culturally responsive messaging are critical. Investments should aim to empower residents through education, healthcare access, and mobility solutions.

Tall Oaks’ equity-driven plan also includes initiatives designed to target at-risk populations through practical, culturally informed interventions. These include mobile clinics, multilingual emergency broadcasts, and accessible transportation options—all of which address the root causes of vulnerability.

Table 2

Disaster Plan Components for Health Equity

Initiative	Target Group	Benefit
Multilingual Outreach	Hispanic/Latino communities	Clear, inclusive emergency communication
Mobile Health Units	Uninsured & disabled	Direct access to healthcare in affected areas
Crisis Transportation & Housing	Low-income families	Safe evacuation and transitional housing support
Community-Based Partnerships	All vulnerable populations	Wider outreach, trust-building

Community partnerships play a pivotal role. By collaborating with local organizations, resources can be effectively distributed, and trust can be cultivated among residents. Equipping first responders with cultural competency training ensures that emergency services are delivered with respect and sensitivity (Kristian & Fajar, 2024).

Role of Health and Governmental Policy: A CERC Framework Approach

Policy-based disaster recovery efforts in Tall Oaks are underpinned by the CDC’s CERC framework, which emphasizes timely, transparent, and culturally relevant communication. More than 5,000 professionals underwent CERC training in 2024, preparing them to navigate diverse crisis scenarios using inclusive strategies (CDC, 2025). These protocols are tailored to ensure that language, literacy, and cultural context are embedded into every emergency communication effort.

Legal provisions like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Robert T. Stafford Act ensure that response plans are inclusive. These policies require the provision of interpreters, mobility tools, and assistive devices to support equitable service delivery (ADA, 2025). In addition, the Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA) of 2018 enables aid to be allocated flexibly for essentials such as medical care, home repair, and displacement relief for underserved populations (Horn et al., 2021).

Modern tools derived from public health practices, such as trace-mapping and vulnerability indexing, help identify at-risk zones. These innovations assist in directing emergency supplies and services to areas in greatest need, ensuring efficient and fair resource distribution.

Effective collaboration across disciplines is vital. Health professionals, emergency response teams, and social workers must operate as a cohesive unit. Cultural competency training ensures all staff can engage effectively with diverse populations (Bonfanti et al., 2023).

Table 3

Strategies to Improve Collaboration and Communication

Strategy	Outcome
Multilingual Alerts & Visual Aids	Wider reach across language groups
Local Radio & Mobile Messaging	Real-time updates in diverse formats
Interdisciplinary Response Teams	Unified and efficient service delivery
Cultural Competency Training	Culturally respectful and sensitive care
Community Leader Involvement	Builds trust and improves outreach accuracy

Trusted messengers such as school leaders, clergy, and community organizers can bridge gaps in public trust and ensure messages are understood. Forums and listening sessions should be held regularly to incorporate feedback into the recovery strategy (Vandrevala et al., 2024). These participatory methods help prevent miscommunication and increase the legitimacy of response plans.

Conclusion

Disaster recovery in Tall Oaks must address the underlying social, cultural, and economic determinants that shape vulnerability. A successful recovery plan integrates inclusive policies, culturally competent communication, and interprofessional collaboration. Grounded in the CDC’s CERC framework, this approach ensures that all residents—not just the privileged few—have equitable access to recovery resources and support systems. Through sustained commitment, Tall Oaks can transform its recovery model into one that is inclusive, just, and resilient.

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, G., Nakanishi, H., Chaffer, J., & Freyens, B. (2023). Disaster preparedness and recovery: How social structures impact resilience. Journal of Risk Research, 26(2), 214–230.

Capella University. (n.d.). Community assessment: Tall Oaks demographic profile [Course resource].

CDC. (2025). Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://emergency.cdc.gov/cerc/

Horn, D., Samuelson, B., & Turner, A. (2021). Improving disaster response through reform: The 2018 DRRA analysis. Journal of Emergency Management, 19(4), 289–297