From Analysis to Action: CPCA’s Emergency Management Training and Climate Resilience Efforts

Communities across California face growing impacts from climate-related and other emergencies of increasing frequency and scale, highlighting the crucial role of emergency management in community health center (CHC) operations. CPCA is dedicated to supporting CHCs in building organizational resiliency through comprehensive training, resources, and operational flexibility to maintain services during and after such events.

In partnership with Westward Disaster Consultancy, LLC, CPCA conducted a comprehensive landscape analysis of CHC emergency management programs. Findings from the report indicated a need for consistent, foundational training tailored to CHCs to keep up with the dynamic nature of emergency management. Based on these insights, we established an advisory committee of CHC member peers to design the EmergencyManagement+ training cohort program.

Slated to launch early 2025, EmergencyManagement+ aims to enhance CHC emergency preparedness and response capabilities. The program will offer peer learning opportunities, networking with colleagues and access to CHC emergency management subject matter experts. The curriculum will cover crucial topics like regulatory compliance and emergency preparedness, which directly impact health center readiness. Trainers will cover the latest trends and empower participants to contribute strategically to their health center’s growth, lead new planning initiatives, and build sustainability into their preparedness efforts. Given CHCs’ growing awareness of the risk climate change poses to public health and healthcare infrastructure, the program will also explore the implications of climate change and strategies for resilience.

CPCA is invested in health equity and will continue equipping CHCs with essential resources and training to optimize healthcare delivery during emergencies and fostering a diverse, skilled workforce capable of addressing the unique challenges of emergency management. This ensures CHCs are prepared to serve their communities effectively and Californians have access to high-quality care during crises.

For additional resources, including the full landscape analysis report and new on-demand trainings, visit CPCA’s  revamped Emergency Preparedness webpage. For updates, more information, or questions about CPCA’s Emergency Management programmatic and advocacy efforts, contact Ivan Prado, Program Coordinator or Health Center Optimization and Emergency Management lead, at iprado@cpca.org.