At the request of NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), and with support from the Fund for Public Health in New York City, New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS) adapted this toolkit for congregation leaders to utilize during respiratory pandemics, such as COVID-19. This Pandemic Preparedness Toolkit for NYC Faith Communities is adapted from the “Pandemic Community Preparedness Toolkit” published by the NYC DOHMH with the City University of New York School of Professional Studies as a tool for nonprofit community leaders.
This work was made possible by NYDIS’ Faith Sector Community Preparedness Program (FSCPP), a program whose purpose is to build resilience in New York City congregations and faith-based nonprofits through all phases of the disaster life cycle. The FSCPP was formed in 2017 in response to a needs assessment conducted jointly by NYDIS and the NYC DOHMH, and the program’s implementation is guided by an Advisory Committee made up of nineteen religious leaders and twelve key stakeholders.
The FSCPP is a model for city-wide engagement of faith communities in disaster and public health readiness. We hope that the tools and resources developed by the FSCPP build resilience in New York City, and that the best practices formed here can be adapted to your local context.