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Ramsey County │ Annex H: Mass Care and Shelter 15 <br />Populations evacuating an impacted area or presenting at a heating/cooling center may include some <br />individuals with health or medical needs who normally require home- and community-based services. <br />Conditions that may have been under control before evacuation may be exacerbated, and health <br />conditions may degrade during the evacuation process. Impacted populations with such needs may <br />require ongoing health support in host areas, and jurisdictions should ensure impacted populations <br />obtain that support. Federal law requires individuals with DAFN are not separated from assistive <br />devices, service animals, or personal care assistants during evacuation and transportation to mass care <br />facilities. Separation from these resources will jeopardize the health, safety, and independence of <br />impacted populations with DAFN. <br />Support can be requested from the Ramsey County Disability Office and Functional Assistance Service <br />Teams (FAST) may be requested from the State. FAST teams are often used to provide screening for <br />needed services and other types of assistance. Partnering with Whole Community stakeholders results <br />in more inclusive and integrated emergency planning. Such partners include local independent living <br />centers, regional centers, Areas on Aging, agencies serving the deaf and hard of hearing, paratransit <br />providers, and other CBOs that support individuals with access or functional needs. <br />Considerations for providing accommodations include, but are not exclusive to, the following: <br />3.1.8.2.1 Assistance <br />• Availability of personal services assistants (PSA) specific to the activities of daily living (e.g., <br />aiding in restrooms, assistance getting dressed, grooming, bathing, etc.). Examples of PSAs <br />include In-Home Support Services (IHSS) workers and local home health agencies. This will be <br />necessary if the nurses are understaffed. <br />• Allowance of caregivers or accompanying PSA and the provision of protective equipment for <br />individuals who accompany impacted populations. <br />• Pharmaceutical medications and Durable Medical Equipment (DME) may be necessary to <br />maintain the health and safety of some impacted populations with DAFN. <br />• An established process and place for impacted populations to request DAFN-specific resources, <br />such as DME, privacy screens, quiet rooms, etc. <br />• Ensuring a process of delivering/facilitating individual assistance (IA) programs and services for <br />individuals with DAFN. <br />• Feeding plans that account for dietary needs (e.g., allergies, restricted diets, soft foods, etc.) and <br />culturally appropriate foods. <br />3.1.8.2.2 Communications <br />Populations with DAFN may require accommodations to receive and utilize emergency communications <br />regarding MCS. MCS leadership will work with the PIO or JIC team to ensure inclusive communications <br />are utilized at all sites, and in all communications regarding the MCS services, to ensure messages can be <br />received and clearly understood by all diverse populations, including those who are sight- and hearing- <br />impaired and those with limited English proficiency or non-English speaking.