Wednesday, April 2, 2025
4/2/2025
Georgia Healthcare Preparedness Program - The Healthcare Preparedness Program (HPP), Section of Emergency Preparedness and Response, Division of Health Protection, Georgia Department of Public Health is submitting this project abstract in response to the Health and Human Services (HHS) request for applications for EP-U3R-24-001. The purpose for the 2019-2024 project period is to support the continued growth and maturity of each of our 14 healthcare coalitions (HCCs) as they strengthen and enhance the medical surge capacity in their area. Improved planning and response coordination will be strengthened at the coalition level interfacing with state partners to protect the health of Georgians and the visitors to our state. Georgia’s 14 healthcare coalitions (HCC) have 3000+ member agencies representing acute care and specialty hospitals, public health (PH) districts, emergency medical services (EMS), long term care (LTC), emergency management (EM), hospice, behavioral health, community health clinics, and many other healthcare partners. Our coalitions are led by Coalition Coordinators from the Regional Coordinating Hospital and the Coalition Facilitators which are funded by HPP and based at the local public health districts. This provides a firm relationship between local ESF8 and the coalitions. Each coalition has an executive committee that guides their planning, training, equipping, exercises, response, and evaluation based on the HPP capabilities and priorities. The successful preparedness and response activities in Georgia’s Public Health emergency preparedness and response program has focused on enhancing health care and local public health preparedness and capacity. Georgia’s all hazards approach to its preparedness efforts have allowed Georgia to enhance efforts to address the needs of a broader group of healthcare partners, and to better coordinate the state’s Emergency Support Function 8 (ESF8) which assures health and medical capacities during disasters like our current pandemic, recent hurricanes, and severe weather. Relationships among partners are cultivated and valued in Georgia and form a strong foundation for all preparedness planning and response efforts.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).