Capella FPX 4055 Assessment 3

Capella FPX 4055 Assessment 3

Student Name

Capella University

NURS-FPX4055 Optimizing Population Health through Community Practice

Prof. Name:

Date

Disaster Recovery Plan for Valley City

Determinants of Health and Barriers

Valley City’s recovery from disasters is complicated by social and health disparities, aging infrastructure, and demographic diversity. With a population of approximately 8,295 and a median age of 43.6, a significant portion of residents (22%) are over the age of 65. More than 200 older adults experience chronic health issues, making them particularly vulnerable during emergencies. These individuals require consistent access to medications, medical equipment, and transport assistance during evacuations. Additionally, nearly 150 residents face communication or physical disabilities, which makes accessing emergency alerts especially challenging when systems fail or are not inclusive of alternative communication methods (Capella University, n.d.).

The city’s increasing Latino population—currently around 3%—includes undocumented individuals with limited English proficiency, posing further challenges for equitable access to emergency communications. Language barriers prevent many from understanding critical alerts, and fear of deportation discourages engagement with public health services. Financial difficulties have further weakened Valley City’s infrastructure. Budget constraints have led to staff cuts in essential services like police and fire departments, and the regional hospital, operating at 97 out of 105 bed capacity, faces equipment shortages and possible staff reductions (Capella University, n.d.). These layered vulnerabilities underscore the need for a disaster recovery strategy grounded in health equity and inclusive planning.

Interconnected Health Determinants and Response Barriers

The interconnection between social, cultural, and financial barriers in Valley City reduces overall disaster readiness. Vulnerable groups, including the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and undocumented residents, face compounded risks. Many lack access to emergency support due to mobility restrictions or communication limitations. Inadequate infrastructure—like non-ADA-compliant shelters—and limited transportation options hinder timely evacuation and care. Furthermore, the fear of discrimination or deportation often prevents undocumented individuals from seeking necessary aid (Mucha et al., 2024; Walter et al., 2021).

Financial instability exacerbates these issues. Public safety departments have undergone layoffs, and shelters operate at full capacity, leaving many without safe housing or transport during crises. The hospital is overwhelmed, and the lack of updated medical equipment and personnel threatens its emergency response capabilities. These conditions necessitate a disaster recovery plan that considers the cultural and socioeconomic dimensions of community health. Proactively addressing these systemic gaps will lead to more equitable and effective recovery outcomes.

Policy Integration, Communication, and Interprofessional Collaboration

Effective disaster response in Valley City requires cohesive policy integration and coordinated communication strategies guided by the Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) framework. CERC encourages the dissemination of accurate, prompt, and empathetic messaging, especially important in multilingual and underserved populations (CDC, 2024b). Utilizing multilingual emergency alerts—across audio, visual, and text formats—ensures inclusive communication. Visual cues and mass notification apps can bridge accessibility gaps for individuals with hearing or vision impairments.

Policy alignment is also vital. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates accessible evacuation routes and shelter accommodations, yet recent events have revealed shortfalls in compliance, particularly in communicating with disabled residents (Iezzoni et al., 2022). The Stafford Act enables federal assistance for emergency responses and infrastructure repairs, while the Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA) supports proactive investments in hazard mitigation and hospital preparedness (FEMA, 2021; Borges et al., 2024). Utilizing these legislative tools allows Valley City to improve medical surge capacity, invest in resilient infrastructure, and track equity in service distribution.

Interprofessional collaboration is another key strategy. Implementing a unified Incident Command System (ICS) among hospitals, law enforcement, and emergency responders facilitates coordinated efforts. Joint simulation exercises and shared digital platforms, such as WebEOC or Teams emergency modules, improve real-time communication and operational synergy (Hanlin & Schulz, 2021; Gundran et al., 2022). Cultural liaisons and health navigators further strengthen outreach by addressing cultural sensitivities and ensuring vulnerable populations receive timely care. These integrated strategies promote community trust, reduce disparities, and bolster Valley City’s resilience.

Disaster Recovery Plan Table

References

ADA. (2021). Introduction to the Americans with disabilities act. ADA.gov. https://www.ada.gov/topics/intro-to-ada/

Borges, J., Harari, L., Jung, H., McFeely, M., & Siegrist, N. (2024, June 27). Indigenous worldviews and tribal priorities in hazard mitigation planning. Washington.edu. https://digital.lib.washington.edu/researchworks/items/9162b396-de70-4eaf-868d-77374f8d2be9

Capella University. (n.d.). RN to BSN | online bachelor’s degree | Capella University. https://www.capella.edu/online-nursing-degrees/bachelors-rn-to-bsn-completion/

CDC. (2024a, October 22). Social vulnerability index. Cdc.gov. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/place-health/php/svi/index.html

CDC. (2024b, November). Crisis & emergency risk communication (CERC). Cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/cerc/php/about/index.html

Capella FPX 4055 Assessment 3

Census.gov. (2023). QuickFacts: Valley City, North Dakota. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/valleycitycitynorthdakota/PST045…

Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2021). Disaster recovery reform act of 2018. FEMA.gov. https://www.fema.gov/disaster-recovery-reform-act-2018

Gundran, A., Li, M., & Zhao, C. (2022). Enhancing team communication through simulation-based interprofessional training. Journal of Emergency Preparedness, 14(2), 87–94.

Hanlin, T. J., & Schulz, C. R. (2021). Improving coordination in emergency responses through shared command models. American Journal of Disaster Medicine, 16(1), 22–29.

Iezzoni, L. I., Rao, S. R., Ressalam, J., Bolcic-Jankovic, D., Agaronnik, N. D., Donelan, K., & Lagu, T. (2022). Medical practice accommodations and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Health Affairs, 41(4), 500–509.

Mucha, A., Rivera, C., & Zhang, Y. (2024). Social justice and immigrant participation in emergency preparedness. Health Equity Review, 6(1), 12–19.

Walter, M. L., Kim, D., & Allen, R. (2021). Vulnerability and aging in disaster contexts: Barriers to resilience. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 64(3), 215–230.