Linn County Public Health and Linn County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) are excited to bring on two AmeriCorps members to help promote disaster preparedness and support networks among older populations.

AmeriCorps members will work with their host agencies to promote the Disaster PrepWise program. Developed by researchers at the University of Iowa College of Public Health, Disaster PrepWise is designed to prepare individuals and their households for emergency situations. Community members who utilize the Disaster PrepWise program will work with AmeriCorps members to develop a personalized disaster management plan they can share with their family, friends, and neighbors. Linn County Public Health and Linn County EMA support the Disaster PrepWise program because it assists communities in raising resiliency by encouraging and facilitating preparedness among Linn County residents.

• Joseph Miller is the newest AmeriCorps member working with Linn County EMA on the Disaster PrepWise program. Joe is a junior at Mount Mercy University who is working towards receiving a BA in Criminal Justice. In addition to promoting the Disaster PrepWise program, Joe will also promote Alert Iowa, develop public education messaging and videos, and assist with preparedness planning and training.

• Sidny Miner is serving with Linn County Public Health and Benton County Public Health as an AmeriCorps member promoting the Disaster PrepWise program. She will complete her BA in Public Health from the University of Iowa later this year.

Anyone interested in creating a personalized plan for themselves or who would like a Disaster PrepWise AmeriCorps member to present for an audience about disaster preparedness, please call 319-467-1193 or email [email protected].

AmeriCorps and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have joined forces through Public Health AmeriCorps. Together, they are supporting the recruitment, training, and development of the next generation of public health leaders who will be ready to respond to the nation’s public health needs.

Public Health AmeriCorps has two main goals:

1. Address public health needs of local communities by providing support in state and local public health settings and advancing more equitable health outcomes for underserved communities.

2. Create pathways to good quality public health-related careers through onsite experience and training, with a focus on recruiting AmeriCorps members who reflect the communities in which they will serve.

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.

Linn County EMA and Linn County Public Health are grateful to the AmeriCorps members for their efforts in helping us educate individuals about disaster preparedness and also reach specific parts of our communities.