emergency management

Following the September 29, 2024, Biolab Chemical Fire in Rockdale County, GA, Community Action NOW! (CAN) demonstrated its commitment to environmental justice and public health advocacy by joining local legislators in demanding accountability for the disaster impacting thousands. 

As a member of the Shut Down Biolab coalition, CAN amplified its advocacy efforts. Recognizing the need for long-term recovery, CAN is launching the Post-Fire Public Health Recovery Project. More details to be announced at the upcoming Shut Down Biolab community meeting to be held on February 24, 2025. More information on this important community meeting can be found at www.shutdownbiolab.com  

 Community Action NOW!(CAN) has demonstrated expertise in public health and disaster response, notably during the COVID-19 pandemic. Combining direct service with community engagement, CAN leverages partnerships for maximum impact. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, CAN and the USVI Department of Health launched 20 COVID-19 clinics on St. Thomas, providing education and vaccinations, and partnered with local herbalists to address wellness and dispel misinformation. 

In Rockdale County, Georgia, CAN collaborated with Morehouse School of Medicine and PCOM Georgia to establish 20 community clinics offering free vaccinations and education, reaching over 250 residents with educational resources and vaccinating 125.  This multifaceted approach highlights CAN's commitment to improving public health through targeted interventions and strategic partnerships.

Demonstrating its expertise in disaster management, Community Action NOW!(CAN) coordinated a significant relief effort following Hurricane Dorian, providing crucial support to 250 Bahamian families. CAN spearheaded a Georgia-based donation drive, partnering with twenty community and faith based organizations across the state to collect much-needed disaster supplies. Working directly with on-site community organizers in the Bahamas, CAN ensured the efficient distribution of these resources to those affected. Further showcasing its logistical capabilities, CAN managed the complex international transport of the donated goods, skillfully negotiating shipping arrangements to maximize the impact of donated funds and expedite the delivery of aid to families on the ground. 

Community Action NOW! (CAN) has demonstrated a sustained commitment to disaster management services, evident in its extensive preparedness and response efforts. Since 2014, CAN has provided on-the-ground hurricane preparedness training and support alongside the American Red Cross, including deploying volunteers to assist with shelter setup and the sheltering of unhoused individuals in St. Thomas in 2016. Following hurricanes, CAN coordinated logistics for All Hands and Hearts, facilitating the distribution of over 15,000 disaster relief supplies to U.S. Virgin Islanders through coordinated donation drop-offs. Furthermore, CAN provided direct services through its Disaster Case Management Program, assisting Virgin Islanders with FEMA applications and appeals, identifying an reporting contractor fraud, coordinating referrals for medical, mental health, and other essential services,. CAN delivered these critical case management services to disaster survivors across St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix, showcasing its comprehensive approach to disaster relief.

In 2017 Following Hurricanes Irma and Maria in the USVI,  Community Action Now (CAN) demonstrated its expertise in logistical management for disaster response and public health advocacy by coordinating communication between the USVI government, HHS, the American Red Cross, and FEMA to address the needs of over 255 medical evacuees. CAN advocated for culturally sensitive meals, secured safe hotel accommodations, and hosted weekly accountability meetings with stakeholders at all levels of government to ensure accurate reporting on the evacuees' well-being. Providing direct social services and information referrals, CAN advocated for additional financial support and facilitated on-site visits from USVI officials, including senators and the Governor, to connect with residents in Atlanta. This extended mission, one of the longest in HHS history, showcases CAN's commitment to underserved populations, and its continued advocacy efforts resulted in positive public policy changes.