NS - Grant - Approval of Grant Application Submission to Expand RSVP Disaster Preparedness Program for Seniors

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: March 15, 2005 Action Agenda Item No. '~-~ SUBJECT: Approval of Grant Application Submission to Expand RSVP Disaster Preparedness Program for Seniors, Particularly for Vulnerable and Disabled Persons DEPARTMENT: Aging ATTACHMENT(S): PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No INFORMATION CONTACT: Jerry Passmore, ext 2009 Kathy Porter, 968-2054 Vicki Hill, 968-2056 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To approve submission of a Project of National Significance (PNS) grant application by the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of the Department on Aging for $20,000 annually to expand its existing volunteer-disaster preparedness program, which aims to empower seniors to better deal with natural disasters through information, training and special projects. BACKGROUND: In 2003, RSVP developed and held a highly successful disaster awareness event attended by over 75 seniors. The education program design came out of a partnership with Emergency Management Services (EMS), Cooperative Extension and local businesses. This special event not only educated seniors, but also showed seniors how to prepare a survival kit to use at home or take with them to a designated emergency shelter. At that time, RSVP became part of the Civilian Corps Council (CCC) developed and housed in EMS to look at ways to partner on disaster preparedness events, especially during the first 72 hours of the event. RSVP maintains its role with CCC. Although this expansion proposal builds on model programs of Orange County RSVP's sister agencies, its overall vision is tailored to Orange County and incorporates health education models for behavior change. The audience is primarily a diverse population of senior citizens, in particular those identified as at risk by demographics, vulnerability or disability. Identification will be supported via Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping along with information from power companies and project partners.