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Resources & Capabilities Documents

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Description
Administration for Community Living (ACL) Crisis Management and Emergency Response Capabilities
ACL’s role in disaster response activities, whether it is a disaster, pandemic or domestic terrorism event, is limited to situational awareness and coordination with grantees and other federal offices and agencies. ACL works closely with the Office of the Secretary, particularly the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), and through ASPR, with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to make sure that the needs of older Americans and persons with disabilities are addressed when a disaster occurs.
Administration of Children and Families - U.S. Repatriation Program
The United States (U.S.) Repatriation Program helps eligible U.S. citizens and their dependents repatriated from overseas by providing them with temporary assistance upon their arrival to the United States.
ASPR Technical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange
ASPR’s Technical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange (TRACIE) is a healthcare emergency preparedness information gateway that ensures that all stakeholders—at the federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial government levels; in nongovernmental organizations; and in the private sector—have access to information and resources to improve preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts.
Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) Capabilities
The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) improves national preparedness for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) accidents and attacks, pandemic influenza, and emerging infectious diseases by supporting the development and acquisition of medical countermeasures (MCM) against these threats. BARDA programs and initiatives that provide support to national incident response and recovery preparedness include: Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Medical Countermeasures, Pandemic Influenza Medical Countermeasures, Analytical Decision Support, the Fill Finish Manufacturing Network, Non-Clinical Studies Network, Clinical Studies Network, and Centers for Innovation in Advanced Development and Manufacturing.
CDC CSELS Applied Public Health Advanced Laboratory Surveillance (DHIS)
The primary mission for the Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services (CSELS) is to provide scientific service, expertise, skills, and tools in support of CDC's national efforts to promote health; prevent disease, injury and disability; and prepare for emerging health threats. CSELS has four divisions which represent the tactical arm of CSELS, executing upon CSELS strategic objectives. The Division of Health Informatics and Surveillance (DHIS) advances the science and practice of public health informatics and surveillance.
CDC CSELS Division of Laboratory Systems
The primary mission for the Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services (CSELS) is to provide scientific service, expertise, skills, and tools in support of CDC's national efforts to promote health; prevent disease, injury and disability; and prepare for emerging health threats. CSELS has four divisions which represent the tactical arm of CSELS, executing upon CSELS strategic objectives. The Division of Laboratory Programs, Standards, and Services mission is to improve the quality of laboratory testing and related practices in the U.S. and globally through the development and evaluation of innovative training, technical standards, practice guidelines and reference materials.
CDC CSELS Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development (DSEPD)
The primary mission for the Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services (CSELS) is to provide scientific service, expertise, skills, and tools in support of CDC's national efforts to promote health; prevent disease, injury and disability; and prepare for emerging health threats. CSELS has four divisions which represent the tactical arm of CSELS, executing upon CSELS strategic objectives. The Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development (DSEPD) provides leadership in public health training and education, and manages innovative, evidence-based programs to prepare the health workforce to meet public health challenges of the 21st century.
CDC Infectious Diseases Laboratory Services
The CDC accepts specimens from state public health laboratories and other federal agencies for analysis. Specimens from private healthcare providers and institutions must be submitted to the local state health department laboratory (state, county, city) for appropriate processing.
CDC Public Information and Communications
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Public Health Information Network (PHIN) is a national initiative to increase the capacity of public health agencies to electronically exchange data and information across organizations and jurisdictions (e.g., clinical care to public health, public health to public health and public health to other federal agencies). In addition, the Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, Health Studies Branch (DEHHE/HSB) at the CDC has developed a Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) toolkit, which is used by public health practitioners and emergency management officials to determine the health status and basic needs of the affected community in a quick and low-cost manner.
Ensuring Access to Quality Health Care Programs for CMS Beneficiaries - 1135 and 1812(f) Waivers
When the President declares a disaster or emergency under the Stafford Act or National Emergencies Act and the HHS Secretary declares a public health emergency (PHE) under Section 319 of the Public Health Service Act, the Secretary is authorized to take certain actions in addition to her regular authorities. Under section 1135 of the Social Security Act, she may temporarily waive or modify certain Medicare, Medicaid, and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) requirements to ensure that sufficient health care items and services are available to meet the needs of individuals enrolled in Social Security Act programs in the emergency area and time periods and that providers who provide such services in good faith can be reimbursed and exempted from sanctions (absent any determination of fraud or abuse).
Ensuring Access to Quality Health Care Programs for CMS Beneficiaries - DME Policy
Durable medical equipment is equipment which can withstand repeated use; is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose; generally is not useful to a person in the absence of an illness or injury; and is appropriate for use in the home. This can be items such as walkers, wheelchairs, or hospital beds.
Ensuring Access to Quality Health Care Programs for CMS Beneficiaries - ESRD Tracking
The Kidney Community Emergency Response (KCER) Program provides technical assistance to End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Networks, Medicare organizations, and other groups to ensure that dialysis services are available in the event of an emergency or disaster.
Ensuring Access to Quality Health Care Programs for CMS Beneficiaries - Survey and Certification
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Survey and Certification Group (SCG) maintains oversight for compliance with Medicare health safety standards for laboratories, acute and continuing care providers (including hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies (HHAs), end-stage renal disease (ESRD) facilities, hospices, and other facilities serving Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries). In the event of an emergency, SCG provides continuous guidance and communication to providers that service Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. SCG uses an “all hazards” approach for disruptive events to include but not limited to pandemic flu, hurricanes, tornados, fires, earthquakes, power outages, chemical spills, and nuclear or biological terrorist attacks.
Ensuring Access to Quality Health Care Programs for CMS Beneficiarries - SME Support
In any kind of event that adversely impacts beneficiaries of CMS programs (Medicare, Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP) and Health Insurance Marketplaces) CMS possesses a wealth of programmatic knowledge at headquarters and in the each CMS regional office to assist in response and recovery efforts. Additionally staff located in Washington DC, possess subject matter expertise in activities and policies related to Continuity of Operations (COOP) Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Response Resources
During a disaster or other crisis situation, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may assist other federal, state, local, and/or tribal authorities in response/recovery activities which deal with FDA regulated products such as drugs, medical devices, biologics, human food and animal feed, and cosmetics. This assistance may take a variety of forms, such as assistance in inspections of establishments which produce or distribute FDA regulated products, providing subject matter expertise on the use, storage, or quality of these products, or assistance in sample collections of these products. FDA response/recovery activities may be initiated through FDA’s inherent regulatory authority over these products, or through mission assignments as part of a larger federal response.
Fusion Analytics Capabilities
Fusion Analytics is a web-based data analysis and visualization tool that integrates multiple real-time, event-related data sources to support decision making during emergency responses. Fusion Analytics runs 24/7 and can be accessed on the HHS network, at home, or in the field as long as you have an “HHS.gov” email address.
GeoHEALTH
GeoHEALTH is Fusion’s secure Geographic Information System (GIS) based, electronic, interactive mapping application. This application incorporates information from numerous sources both internal and external to HHS. It includes other federal and public agencies such as (NOAA, USGS as well as other NGOs) into a single visual environment for enhanced situational awareness, assessment, and management of resources for planning, response to natural, man-made or pandemic events
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Response and Recovery Resources
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is the primary federal agency for improving access to health care by strengthening the health care workforce, building healthy communities and achieving health equity. HRSA’s programs provide health care to people who are geographically isolated, economically or medically vulnerable.
Incident Response Coordination Team
The HHS Incident Response Coordination Team (IRCT), coordinates all deployed Public Health and Medical (ESF #8) assets.  It is staffed by a combination of HHS, NDMS Intermittent staff, PHS and other Govt Agency (OGA) staff (such as Veterans Affairs and DOD).
Indian Health Services Resources
The Indian Health Service (IHS) is the principal federal health care provider and health advocate for American Indians and Alaskan Natives (AI/AN) people.  Its goal is to raise the health status of AI/AN peoples and their communities by providing a comprehensive health service delivery system to members of 566 federally recognized Tribes located across 36 U.S. States. 
National Healthcare Preparedness Programs (NHPP) - Guidance on Crisis Standards of Care
ASPR has developed a Communities of Interest (COI) site  to better disseminate information and manage documents; share promising practices and ideas; and provide a workspace where users from inside and outside HHS/ASPR can come together to share documents and ideas regarding the crisis standards of care (CSC) and allocation of scarce resources (ASR). HHS/ASPR uses the term "communities of interest" to describe and include all of the interested parties involved in CSC and ASR planning.
National Incident Support Teams
The U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) National Incident Support Teams (NIST) provides resources and assistance to State, Tribal and local health authorities throughout the United States, usually as the Commissioned Corps component of an Incident Response Coordination Team (IRCT). They were created in 2009 as part of the National Response Framework’s ESF-8 public health and medical asset provisions. They may be deployed in response to an ESF-8 or non-ESF-8 public health emergency.
Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Logistic SME Support
ASPR/OEM Logistics personnel may provide technical experts to support planning for State, Local, Tribal and Territorial government in conjunction with Regional Emergency Coordinators (REC).
Office of Policy and Planning (OPP)- Missions and Functions
ASPR’s Office of Policy and Planning (OP) protects the health of all Americans through integrated policy approaches, plans and courses of action to strengthen the nation’s public health and healthcare preparedness, response and recovery that are evidence based, intellectually rigorous, ethical, and enhance the resilience of the American people. It leads strategic planning and evaluation, preparedness and response policy development and analysis, and leads coordination and collaboration with domestic and international partners to reduce adverse health effects of public health emergencies and disasters.
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response - Liaison Officers
ASPR Liaison Officers (LNOs) can be deployed to state and local public health offices during an incident to provide guidance and subject matter expertise on Federal public health and medical services assets.
Rapid Deployment Forces
The U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Rapid Deployment Forces (RDF) provides resources and assistance to State, Tribal and local health authorities throughout the United States. They were created in 2006 as part of the National Response Framework’s ESF-8 public health and medical asset provisions. Like all Commissioned Corps response teams, they may be deployed in response to an ESF-8 or non- ESF-8 public health emergency.

Regional Emergency Coordinators
Regional Emergency Coordinators (RECs) serve as ASPR’s primary representatives throughout the country at the regional level. Building relationships with federal, state, local, tribal and territorial officials and healthcare representatives (partners and stakeholders) in order to conduct planning for effective federal emergency response, and to facilitate coordinated preparedness and response activities for public health and medical emergencies, is the main role of the RECs.
Regional Incident Support Teams
The U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Regional Incident Support Teams (RIST) provides rapid assessments and initial incident coordination resources and assistance to State, Tribal and local health authorities within defined regions of the United States. They were created in 2009 as part of the National Response Framework’s ESF-8 public health and medical asset provisions. Like all Commissioned Corps response teams, they may be deployed in response to an ESF-8 or non-ESF-8 public health emergency or to meet urgent health needs. Each RIST is a short-term response asset available to Regional Emergency Coordinators and Regional Health Administrators within the region.
The National Advisory Committee on Children and Disasters
The National Advisory Council on Children and Disasters (NACCD) provides advice and consultation to the HHS Secretary on issues related to the medical and public health needs of children as they relate
to disasters.
The National Preparedness and Response Science Board
The National Preparedness and Response Science Board (NPRSB) is a federal advisory committee that provides advice and guidance to Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and to the HHS Secretary on preventing, preparing for, and responding to adverse health effects of emergencies.