Preparing organizations for disasters
Developing an emergency preparedness plan helps organizations and systems return to functioning as quickly as possible when disaster strikes. This can promote community-wide resilience and recovery and reduce the social and structural vulnerabilities that increase risks of sexual violence in disasters.
Prairie women prepared for disaster: An emergency planning guide for women’s community organizations
Prairie Women’s Health Center of Excellence (May 2009)
Guidance, templates, and additional resources to create and apply customized plans for emergency preparedness and response for organizations addressing gender-based violence.
Emergency preparedness toolkit: A guide for domestic violence organizations
California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (2018)
Disaster preparedness and response recommendations for domestic violence organizations, including detailed protocols for specific emergencies and accessibility considerations.
Now is the time to start planning for the next disaster - 33 questions
Fakequity (April 2020)
Questions to help nonprofit organizations assess their preparedness for future disasters with a focus on racial equity.
Standards and indicators for emergency preparedness and response
Public Health Seattle & King County (February 2020)
Thirteen standards for community organizations to prepare for and respond to emergencies, with action steps and additional resources for meeting each standard.
Ready Rating
American Red Cross
Tools, resources, and information to help organizations, schools, and businesses evaluate and improve their disaster preparedness.
Prepare My Business
Prepare My Business
Checklists, templates, and other resources to assist small businesses in creating and testing disaster recovery plans to continue operations in an emergency.
Ready.gov (English)
Listo.gov (Spanish)
Information and recommendations for individuals, families, communities, and businesses to prepare for and respond to disasters, including specific guidance for different types of disasters and emergencies.
Emergency preparedness and response
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (March 2020)
Detailed information and preparedness recommendations for different types of public health emergencies and specific groups, including older adults, people with disabilities, children and caregivers, people experiencing homelessness, and tribal communities.
COVID-19: Workplaces and businesses
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (September 2021)
Preparedness and safety recommendations for workplaces and workers in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nonprofit disaster planning and recovery
TechSoup
A holistic guide to IT (information-technology) disaster planning and recovery for nonprofit organizations, as well as planning worksheets, recorded webinars, and other resources.
Leading organizations through a disaster
Organization leaders have to make difficult and rapid decisions about strategies, priorities, staffing, funding, and more during disasters. Leaders and managers around the world have faced these challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. The resources below, many of which were created during and about COVID-19, offer recommendations and lessons learned that apply in the current moment as well as future disasters or other crises.
Reimagining strategy in the context of the COVID-19 crisis: A triage tool
Center for Community Investment (March 2020)
A tool to assist community organizations in reordering strategies based on changing community priorities during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
Strategic thinking in crises
Up With Community (May 2020)
A framework for strategic thinking about short-, medium-, and long-term community needs and organizational objectives in the context of a prolonged crisis, including guiding questions, examples, and links to additional resources.
A compass for the crisis: Nonprofit decision making in the COVID-19 pandemic
Bridgespan (April 2020)
Overview and examples of values-based principles to help nonprofit leaders make strategic decisions that are more consistent, more equitable, and more clearly communicated during and beyond a crisis.
Managing change during the pandemic: Thoughts for collective impact and nonprofits
Collective Impact Forum (March 2020)
Recommendations for nonprofit leaders during the pandemic, such as leaning into empathy, adapting to meet community needs, and managing change.
Tough times call for tough action: A decision framework for nonprofit leaders and boards
SeaChange (March 2020)
Recommendations for executive directors and board members to manage the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nonprofit organizations.
Financial leadership in uncertain times
Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (April 2020)
A recorded webinar for sexual and domestic violence agency leaders on practical strategies for coping with the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
From survivability to sustainability: 5 steps nonprofits must take to survive the coronavirus pandemic
Nonprofit Leadership Center (March 2020)
Five recommendations for nonprofit leaders to navigate the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 resource center for nonprofits
Donorbox (April 2020)
A round-up of online resources to help nonprofit leaders navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, including information on fundraising, communications, remote work, and supervision.
COVID-19 HR, personnel, and management resources
Resource Sharing Project
Collection of resources developed and curated for sexual assault coalitions and local programs including sample policies, management and supervision tools, and financial planning resources.
People leader resilience playbook: How to lead in the midst of uncertainty
LifeLabs Learning
Tips and resources for leaders and managers to support collective and individual resilience, engage employees, and navigate difficult decisions and tough conversations during a crisis.
Managing remotely during a disaster
Many organizations have shifted to working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic and other disasters, bringing a mix of benefits and challenges for staff and supervisors. In addition to managing the practical logistics of remote work, supervisors can take steps to promote self-care and social connection while their teams are physically distanced.
Working remotely
Resource Sharing Project (2020)
A collection of resources and recommendations for sexual assault coalitions and local programs about working remotely, including tips around technology, supervision, supporting self-care, and re-prioritizing work.
Remote supervision in rural dual/multi-service advocacy agencies (English)
La supervisión a larga distancia en agencias de defensoría de servicio dual/multiple rural (Spanish)
Resource Sharing Project (January 2016)
Strategies for building team connection, creating comfortable workspaces, hiring and supervising staff, and attending to vicarious trauma when staff are working remotely.
Building trust while working remotely
The Engine Room (March 2020)
Tips for building and sustaining trusting work relationships and personal well-being while working in remote teams.
Addressing racism and oppression in organizations and communities
Fundamentally, preventing sexual violence both in and out of disasters requires uprooting systems and structures of oppression and organizing communities around the guiding principles of equity and justice. This work starts at home within organizations and institutions, including victim services, emergency response, disaster management, and other sectors and systems.
COVID-19: Racial equity and social justice resources
Racial Equity Tools (2020)
Library of online resources to help communities and activists understand and respond to the COVID-19 crisis and beyond, including tools for healing and community care, organizing and solidarity, resource building and rapid response, virtual work and online engagement, and more.
Pushing back against habits of white supremacy during a crisis
CompassPoint (April 2020)
Alternative mindsets and practices that can interrupt habits of white supremacy that show up in organizations during a crisis.
White supremacy culture in organizations
The Centre for Community Organizations (COCo) (November 2019)
An overview of common characteristics of white supremacy culture that show up in organizations, with questions for reflection and discussion to spark conversations about racism.
White supremacy culture
Tema Okun (2021)
Writings, poetry, art, videos, and additional resources reflecting on a list of characteristics of white supremacy culture that has been used as a resource for learning and discussion in many anti-racist groups and organizations.
Anti-racism resource collection
Resource Sharing Project
A round-up of resources to aid sexual assault coalitions in anti-racism work within their organizations and communities
Anti-racism is fundamental to sexual assault services
Sexual Assault Demonstration Initiative (2019)
A recorded conversation among three sexual assault technical assistance providers on how to both personally and organizationally build skills and practices for disrupting racism and all forms of oppression to enhance services to survivors.
Anti-racism as violence prevention
Futures Without Violence
Three-part video series for domestic and sexual violence advocates on ways that racism and oppression have shaped our anti-violence movements and ways to dismantle racism in our organizations and communities, along with a large collection of supporting resources.
Plan: Change process
Racial Equity Tools
Collected resources on how individuals, leaders, organizations, coalitions, and communities can advance racial equity work, build movements, and implement accountability practices.
Act: Organizational change process
Racial Equity Tools
Examples of equitable policies and practices, toolkits, and additional resources related to organizational change processes to align internal operations with commitment to racial equity.
Operationalizing racial justice in non-profit organizations
MP Associates, Inc. (July 2020)
Reflections on five commonly asked questions and a curated list of resources for nonprofit organizations seeking to start or sustain a change process to integrate racial equity into their policies, practices, and culture.
Tools & resources for achieving racial equity in policymaking
Independent Sector (February 2021)
Collection of resources to help nonprofits achieve racial justice and systemic change by centering racial equity in their policy and overall strategic work.
Building and sustaining trauma-informed organizations
Disasters shine a bright light on the need for workplace practices, policies, and cultures that are rooted in a trauma-informed framework. In order to provide meaningful services to others, staff and volunteers must have the support and resources they need for their own physical and emotional health and safety. Organizational leaders can take steps to build and sustain trauma-informed environments not only in times of crisis, but in the everyday work of their organizations.
COVID-19: Considerations for a trauma informed response for work settings
Trauma Informed Oregon (2020)
Strategies for applying trauma informed care principles to support the physical and emotional health of staff members during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A historical trauma-informed care approach to COVID-19
Urban Indian Health Institute (February 2021)
Ways to support communities experiencing multiple traumas during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Leadership during COVID-19: Strategies to support yourself and your team
National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma & Mental Health (April 2020)
Strategies and considerations for managers and leaders in victim service organizations to support the well-being of advocates, recognize stress responses, and promote resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic
Supervising during the pandemic (English)
Supervisar durante la pandemia (Spanish)
Workplaces Respond to Domestic & Sexual Violence (2020)
Tips for supervisors to help reduce the impacts of trauma, lessen employee stress, and foster a sense of safety, power, and control for staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Leading during traumatic & triggering events
Diversity Equity Inclusiveness Consulting (2013)
Recommendations for leading and managing during and after traumatic and triggering events, such as police killing Black and Brown people, violence against women and LGBTQ people, school shootings, or church bombings or fires.
How to lead when you’re afraid
Awaken (March 2020)
Recommendations for leaders of organizations and businesses to help strengthen human connections and build resilient teams during a crisis.
Resources for organizations
Trauma Informed Oregon
Collected resources for human service organizations and systems to recognize and respond to the impact of trauma on the workforce and the people they serve.
Building cultures of care: A guide for sexual assault services programs
Sexual Assault Demonstration Initiative (2017)
Overview of the core principles of trauma-informed care and guiding points and questions to help sexual assault services programs strengthen their organizational and individual responses to survivors of sexual violence through the use of a trauma-informed approach.
Organizational trauma and resilience (English)
El trauma institucional y la resiliencia (Spanish)
Resource Sharing Project (2013)
An overview of sources and symptoms of organizational trauma and strategies for building resilience to prevent and cope with it when it occurs.
The vicarious trauma toolkit
Office for Victims of Crime (2017)
Tools and resources to help victim services, emergency medical services, fire services, and law enforcement organizations address the vicarious trauma needs of their staff.
A guide to trauma-informed supervision
Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (2020)
Recommended practices and tools to help supervisors provide effective, trauma-informed supervision to advocates and other staff in victim services organizations.
Practicing self-care and community care
Finding ways to rest and reset is vital for sustaining wellness, effectiveness, and impact as organization leaders and managers, both during and beyond disasters. It also serves as a model and supports a culture of self- and community care for staff, volunteers, and the people and communities they serve.
Stress management for leaders responding to a crisis
American Psychological Association (2020)
Overview of the effects of stress on a leader’s personal well-being and effectiveness during a crisis, and techniques for coping with and leading through high-pressure situations.
Tips for disaster responders: Preventing and managing stress
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (September 2014)
Strategies for first responders and other service providers to prevent and manage stress before, during, and after disaster response.
Healthcare personnel and first responders: How to cope with stress and build resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (December 2020)
Information about signs of stress, strategies for resilience and coping, and additional resources for professionals providing care to others during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Navigating trauma
Mutual Aid Disaster Relief (2020)
An overview of vicarious trauma for people engaged in solidarity-based disaster relief work and strategies for coping with, healing from, and supporting friends impacted by vicarious trauma.
21 day self-care challenge packet
Move to End Violence (October 2015)
Activities designed for people in anti-violence movements to intentionally practice self-care, examine habits, and take steps towards more mindful practices.
Self-care and trauma work
Sexual Assault Demonstration Initiative (2012)
An overview of vicarious trauma and steps organizations and individuals can take to reduce and manage it.
Self-care ideas and resources list for helping professionals and first responders
Trace Fleming-Trice (June 2020)
A round-up of online resources - including articles, podcasts, videos, social media groups, and more - to support self-care and community care among helping professionals and first responders.
How to rest and recover while you fight for social change (English)
Como descansar y recuperarte mientras luchas por el cambio social (Spanish)
Como descansar e se recuperar enquanto luta por mudança social (Portuguese)
FeministSexEd (June 2020)
Practical strategies for activists to rest and maintain energy, connection, and motivation.
