Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (OKVOAD)

Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (OKVOAD)

What is VOAD? National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) was founded almost 50 years ago in response to the challenges many disaster organizations experienced following Hurricane Camille, a category 5 storm that hit the Gulf Coast in August, 1969. Up until that time, numerous governmental, private sector and nonprofit organizations served disaster survivors independently of one another. As a result, help came to the survivors haphazardly.

What is VOAD? Unnecessary duplication of effort often occurred, while at the same time, other needs were not met. People who wanted to volunteer to help their neighbors affected by disaster were often frustrated by the variety of organizations competing in some areas of service or the total lack of opportunities to serve other apparent urgent needs. Further, there was only limited availability to training for potential volunteers. Access to information on services available to survivors during disasters was woefully inadequate.

What is VOAD? Likewise, communication among voluntary disaster agencies and coordination of services was negligible. In fact, mechanisms for this were non-existent. Money In 1970, seven national disaster response organizations convened for the first time to find a way to better coordinate responses and more effectively serve disaster survivors and their communities. As an outcome, National VOAD was formed as a forum for sharing knowledge and coordinating resources money, materials and manpower throughout the disaster cycle: preparation, response and recovery. Manpower Disaster Materials

What is VOAD? Since National VOAD s founding, many lessons have been learned, skills developed and best practices shared. This resulted in the establishment of a commitment to shared Values, the 4Cs: Communication; Coordination; Collaboration; and Cooperation as guiding principles for how National VOAD operates and resolves conflict, as well as various Points of Consensus and other protocols for guiding the work of individual member organizations and the collective efforts of the collaborative.

What is VOAD? All National VOAD members agree to adhere to such standards of conduct and service delivery developed and approved by the membership. By the end of the 1970 s, many other organizations joined the National VOAD Movement. As similar expectations for Federal interagency cooperation during national level disasters emerged, FEMA was formed. During the 1980 s many local affiliates of National VOAD members began forming Local, Regional and State VOAD s. By the mid-1990 s, VOAD became a true national movement. Today, National VOAD is a coalition of 69 of the nation s most reputable national organizations (faith-based, community-based and other non-profit organizations) and 56 State/Territory VOADs, which represent Local/Regional VOADs and hundreds of other member organizations throughout the country.

What is VOAD? Recognizing that all sectors of society must work together to foster more resilient, self-reliant communities nationwide, National VOAD facilitates partnerships with federal, state and local emergency management and other governmental agencies, as well as for-profit corporations, foundations, and educational and research institutions. National VOAD is the primary point of contact for voluntary organization in the National Response Coordination Center (at FEMA headquarters), a signatory to the National Response Plan, and an Emergency Support Function partner of many other federal agencies as delineated in the National Disaster Recovery Framework. OKVOAD was established as a State VOAD pursuant to the National VOAD guidelines.

What is Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (OKVOAD)? OKVOAD is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, membership-based organization that builds resiliency in Oklahoma communities. It serves as the forum where organizations share knowledge and resources throughout the disaster cycle preparation, response, recovery and mitigation to help disaster survivors and their communities. OKVOAD brings together voluntary organizations active in disaster services in an effort to foster more effective response to the people of Oklahoma in time of disaster. As a Member of National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (National VOAD), OKVOAD works to foster more effective service to people affected by disaster through convening mechanisms, outreach, advocacy, and as a champion and facilitator for the application of our values and core principles.

What is Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (OKVOAD)? Guided by the core principles of the 4Cs cooperation, communication, coordination, and collaboration OKVOAD Members provide the leadership that build strong, resilient communities and delivers hope in times of need. These principles serve as the foundation for the OKVOAD as it collaborates with local, regional and national partners to coordinate disaster relief, response and recovery efforts in times of disaster.

What does OKVOAD do in the wake of a disaster event? In the wake of a disaster event, the services of non-profits, human services organizations, and faith-based organizations are vitally necessary to survivor recovery. However, if each organization responds separately to the disaster, the delivery of vitally necessary services to survivors can be fragmented; it is critical that disaster response is coordinated and organized to identify needs and possible gaps in services so that each organization can deploy in such a way to best deploy its resources, and most effectively impact survivor recovery. OKVOAD is the key to that coordinated disaster response and recovery. VOAD Disaster Survivor The VOAD is comprised of faith based, non-faith based, government and community partners. The goal of the collaborative effort is to locate and provide all the resources and services needed to help the disaster survivor.

What does OKVOAD do in the wake of a disaster event? In the wake of a disaster event, a state or local government may request that Oklahoma VOAD activate. Once a request is received for Oklahoma VOAD membership support, Oklahoma VOAD follows their activation plan by bringing members together via conference call, webinar or email to learn about the emergency response, to discuss and evaluate the needs of survivors, to identify the resources available to service those needs within the Oklahoma VOAD agencies, and to coordinate delivery of those services so resources reach the right places, impact the people who need them most, and are not duplicative. Oklahoma VOAD leadership coordinates with the State of Oklahoma Emergency Management to keep the State EM aware of resources on the ground, and to keep the VOAD membership informed about overall recovery operations. This work also aids in developing much needed relationships between each organization that allows for direct and open lines of communication.

OKVOAD Disaster Involvement In recent years, OKVOAD has been involved in coordinating partner response for dozens of disaster events throughout Oklahoma, including: 2013 tornadoes; 2014 tornadoes; 2015 flooding, tornadoes and ice storms; 2016 flooding; 2017 ice storms, wildfires, tornadoes and flooding; and 2018 wildfires and tornadoes

OKVOAD Committees The work of OKVOAD utilizes strong member driven committees to enable the successful delivery of services throughout the disaster cycle, as well as to build a platform for cooperation and communication. The VOAD is broken into ten different areas to include advocacy/communications, preparedness, case management, health, donations, emotional/spiritual care, housing, long term recovery, mass care, and volunteers. Through work in those areas the VOAD establishes best practices and points of consensus.

Advocacy/Communications Committee The purpose of the Advocacy/Communications Committee is to identify emerging issues and empower policy and advocacy efforts across the VOAD movement by working closely with National VOAD staff, Oklahoma VOAD membership and other committees. The Committee will support VOAD goals to increase public awareness of the Oklahoma VOAD organization and movement, and to promote its values, vision and mission. The Committee also supports information sharing among all stakeholders by developing policies and procedures, tools and strategies to enhance internal and external communication and thereby support the mission of Oklahoma VOAD.

Community Preparedness Committee The purpose of the Community Preparedness Committee is to apply and promote the 4C s to nationwide community preparedness, including promoting preparedness as a national civic virtue and duty, identifying and sharing best practices, and collaborating with all sectors to identify and promote innovative ways to enhance community preparedness.

Disaster Health Committee The purpose of the Disaster Health Committee is to identify emerging disaster health issues and opportunities to facilitate the efforts across the VOAD movement by working closely Oklahoma VOAD membership and other committees.

Disaster Case Management Committee The Purpose of the Disaster Case Management Committee is to: Provide a forum for the sharing of information regarding emerging issues and ongoing trends in disaster recovery case management; Work collaboratively to identify and overcome systemic barriers that prevent individuals and families from accessing disaster recovery case management services and resources; and To advocate for best practices and processes in disaster recovery case management in support of Oklahoma VOAD s over-all mission and values.

Donations/Volunteer Management Committee The Donations/Volunteer Management Committee is focused on having more affiliated volunteers and better managed unaffiliated volunteers in disaster, as well as focusing on issues related to unsolicited donations. The committee works closely with VOAD members and government donation coordinators in times of disaster to serve as advisors and to support relief efforts.

Housing Committee The Housing Committee focuses on assisting local, state, tribal, and national disaster response groups in educating, facilitating, and coordinating for disaster related housing activities. This includes the clean up process, repairing and rebuilding after a disaster as well as temporary and permanent housing.

Long Term Recovery Groups Committee The Long Term Recovery Groups Committee is charged with reviewing issues related to Long Term Recovery Group formation and support. The Committee will also assist local, state, and national disaster response groups in their efforts to address long term recovery needs and programs in their communities.

Mass Care Committee The Mass Care Committee is a group comprised of OKVOAD members involved in the provision of Shelter, Feeding, Bulk Distribution of Relief supplies and related services during disasters. Its purpose is to pursue avenues for joint action and planning among these and other willing partners to communicate, coordinate, cooperate and collaborate. It is the intention of the committee to speed the provision of critical services to those affected by disaster, reduce the duplication of efforts so that the greatest use can be made of limited resources during crisis, and establish a united voice for advocacy in working with our public institutions, including emergency management at the local, state and federal levels, to prepare our communities for the disasters they will face in the future.

Emotional and Spiritual Care Committee The Emotional and Spiritual Care Committee's mission is to foster emotional and spiritual care to people affected by disaster in cooperation with state and local response organizations and Regional VOADs. The Committee accomplishes its mission by Embracing the unique contribution of various mental health disciplines and faith based groups; Identifying specific issues of emotional and spiritual needs as a significant component of disaster response; Educating state and regional VOADs and non-affiliated partners about the emotional and spiritual needs in disasters; and Promoting best practices, standards and models to provide effective emotional and spiritual care.

Who may be an OKVOAD member? Any organization, qualified under the Internal Revenue Service Code 501 (C)(3) in Oklahoma, that can respond statewide or which is a member of the National VOAD, either directly or by affiliation through its national organization, is entitled to full membership and participation in all activities of the Oklahoma VOAD. Organizations which cannot respond statewide or are not representative of a National VOAD Member Organization may seek membership as an Associate Member or Partner. Other organizations eligible for membership are those with Not-for-profit structure. The services and resources that are provided by that organization also need to be available to respond statewide to all disaster victims. Therefore, voluntary organizations that have a disaster response capability, supported by governing documents, are encouraged to seek their proper level of membership.

Current OKVOAD Members

Current OKVOAD Members

OK Durable Medical Equipment Reuse Program Current OKVOAD Members

RESOURCE CENTER: www.nvoad.org/resource-center

RESOURCE CENTER: Includes governance documents

RESOURCE CENTER: Member Resources include many folders with printed materials and videos

RESOURCE CENTER Member Resources Ex: Emergency Law Inventory for Volunteers

RESOURCE CENTER Member Resources Ex: Active Shooter Training Houses of Worship