Though disasters vary in type and scope, they tend to disproportionately affect people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs. The role of Functional Assessment Service Teams (FAST) are to conduct assessments of disaster survivors with disabilities and others with access and functional needs and facilitate the process of getting essential resources.

This training will prepare those with experience working with and assessing the needs of individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs to put their skills to use in a disaster setting which may include a shelter, assistance center, or other community location to provide equal access and help individuals maintain their health, safety, and independence.

Participants will learn to:

1. Conduct assessments and evaluations of individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.
2. Identify and track necessary resources.
3. Coordinate services and maintain contacts and service notes.
4. Provide technical assistance to emergency response workers.
5. Coordinate and collaborate with emergency response management.

The intended audience for this training is those with experience working with and assessing the needs of individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs. However, this is the pilot FAST training for Pennsylvania and registration will also be open to partners who may be assisting with FAST program development or are interested in learning about the function of FAST, even if these individuals do not have direct service experience themselves.

Disabilities and access and functional needs include, but are not limited to:

• Physical, sensory, developmental, cognitive, behavioral health, or intellectual disabilities
• Chronic conditions or injuries
• Reliance on durable medical equipment or assistive technology
• Substance abuse concerns
• Children, the elderly, pregnant women
• Limited English Proficiency
• Low income or homeless

Please register by July 12. Registration is free on PA TRAIN

Go to https://pa.train.org and click “Login/Create Account”

Questions? Contact