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              Faith-Based & Volunteer Partnership Resources
                          Faith-Based & Volunteer Partnership Resources

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          Voluntary and Community-Based Organizations
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FEMA Voluntary Agency Liaisons (VALs) establish, foster, and maintain relationships among government, voluntary, faith- and community-based, private sector, philanthropic, and whole community partners who help communities plan for, respond to, and recover from disasters. Through these relationships, the VALs support the delivery of inclusive and equitable services and empower and strengthen capabilities of communities to address disaster-caused unmet needs.



Learn How to Volunteer & Donate Responsibly



VAL Fact Sheet



Celebrating Partnerships



FEMA is proud to recognize the more than 40 years of collaboration between FEMA and its voluntary and faith-based organizations.



alert - infoContact us to get connected to your FEMA regional and headquarters Voluntary Agency Liaisons and Donations Specialists.



VAL Technical Assistance



Voluntary Agency Liaisons can provide information, guidance, and support on a range of topics, tailored to the needs of your organization or event. Some of the VALs capabilities include:



Information-sharing (including Routine Use, Written Consent, and Referrals)Planning, Preparedness, and MitigationMission AssignmentsThis Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) sets out how Individual Assistance staff will request, implement, and process FEMA Invitational Travel for Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD).



Voluntary Agency Liaisons Also Support:



Response and Recovery



Individuals & Households Program (IHP)Public Assistance Donated ResourcesDuring Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs):Documents activity and evaluates capacity of government agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGO) providing mass care/emergency assistance care and supportResponsible for coordinating with NGOs, including Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) and/or Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) members in order to document activity and evaluate capacity of those organizationsCommunity Services Programs



Crisis Counseling Program (CCP)Disaster Case Management Program (DCMP)Disaster Legal Services (DLS)Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)Voluntary, Faith-Based and Community Efforts



Cleanup (including Debris Removal, Tarping, and Muck and Gut)Volunteer and Donations Messaging and Management(including spontaneous unaffiliated volunteers, and in-kind donated goods)Volunteer Reception Centers (VRCs)Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARCs)Long Term Recovery Groups (LTRGs)Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOADs)Training



FEMA training and exercise resources may enhance the disaster preparedness – and response and recovery capabilities and capacity – of FEMA voluntary, faith-based, and community partner organizations, staff, and volunteers.  Offerings also support mutual understanding and integration across the non-profit, public, and private sectors.



Visit the Emergency Management Institute to Find Training CoursesExternal Link Arrow



Preparedness Webinars



Watch previously recorded webinars that focus on topics impacting individual and community preparedness.



View Webinars
Last updated November 28, 2023

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