Medical Reserve Corps
NACCHO is pleased to publish the request for applications (RFA) for 2022 MRC Operational Readiness Awards (ORA)! The 2022 MRC ORA aims to build the operational readiness capabilities of MRC units to meet the emergency preparedness and response needs of their local, regional, or statewide stakeholders. The awards are intended to be flexible to meet the needs of all MRC units, support efforts to build MRC capabilities, strengthen stakeholder awareness of MRC capabilities, and identify or sustain the integration of the MRC into local, state, and/or regional emergency response plans.
The MRC ORA is a competitive award open to MRC units that meet the eligibility requirements as outlined on the MRC website and RFA. Prospective applicants should thoroughly review the RFA and ensure they understand the intent of the awards and the requirements for accepting funding. In addition to answering the application prompts, applicants are required to upload 1) proof of active registration on SAM.gov, and 2) a budget using NACCHO's budget template. NACCHO will accept applications via the NACCHO Applications Webpage from Monday, November 1, 2021 until Wednesday, December 1, 2021.
On October 28, 2021, NACCHO staff held an informational webinar on the 2022 MRC ORA. Prospective applicants are encouraged to view the recording of the webinar and slide deck.
Please direct any questions to NACCHO staff at mrc@naccho.org.
The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a national network of local volunteer units that engage their local communities to strengthen public health, reduce vulnerability, build resilience, and improve preparedness, response, and recovery capabilities.
NACCHO works in partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services, Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), Medical Reserve Corps Program Office to:
- Build the capabilities of MRC units to meet needs during emergencies and disasters;
- Identify and address barriers to the use of MRC units and volunteers during emergencies and disasters;
- Support the sustainability of MRC units to maintain and develop response capabilities.
For more information, visit the ASPR MRC Program Office Webpage.
NACCHO's MRC Team has developed the following to support MRC units across the country including deployment readiness resources, funding opportunities, and information on the most recent Network Profile Study.
Fact Sheets
NACCHO has developed the following Fact Sheets to highlight MRC units across the national network and encourage peer sharing:
- Medical Reserve Corps: Community Resilience
- Medical Reserve Corps: Response to the Opioid Epidemic
- Medical Reserve Corps: Shelter Operations Support
E-Learning
MRC Train is a free, online e-learning platform with training modules for MRC unit leaders and volunteers. MRC units can also upload their own individualized training content to the TRAIN platform.
NACCHO University is another eLearning platform with self-paced learning modules created for MRC units including Deployment Readiness, Factors for Success, and MRC Core Competencies.
Communications
NACCHO has developed resources to assist MRC Unit Leaders and Stakeholders with their communication and messaging strategies. The NACCHO MRC Strategic Messaging Guide provides a roadmap for MRC units as they conduct community outreach and media interviews. It touches on the history of the MRC and shares some of the facts and figures behind this extraordinary organization.
NACCHO has also developed a Social Media Toolkit: A Primer for Local Health Department PIOs and Communications Professionals. The toolkit helps local health departments get started and grow their social media programs, one tweet at a time. For beginners as well as experienced practitioners, this toolkit features a description of platforms; how to develop a social media policy; how to integrate social media with your emergency communications plans; social media strategy; and emerging trends.
Advocacy
Advocacy can build relationships with and educate policymakers; influence new and existing policies, laws, and budgets; and, encourage the creation of new programs. Learn how you can better collaborate and communicate with your local elected officials using NACCHO's Advocacy Toolkit.
From August 24 – 27, 2020, NACCHO hosted the 2020 Virtual MRC Leadership Summit at the Preparedness Summit. This was an opportunity for MRC unit leaders, state coordinators, regional liaisons, and program office staff to convene for a series of peer-to-peer learning, facilitated discussions, and networking sessions.
The following includes links to the recordings and presentation slides for each of the 2020 MRC Leadership Summit sessions. Please note, the recording links below include the audio to accompany the slides, as well as an option to view the chat box or audio transcript. You can toggle between the chat and audio transcript.
Feel free to share this with other unit leaders, your volunteers, and partner organizations. If you have any questions or have issues accessing the links, please reach out to us at mrc@naccho.org.
August 24, 2020 - Main Session
- Main Session Meeting Recording
- Main Session Slides
August 25, 2020 - Special Topic Session: Funding Strategies
- Funding Strategies Webinar Recording
- Funding Strategies Slides
August 26, 2020 - Special Topic Session: Building Community Partners
- Building Community Partners Webinar Recording
- Building Community Partnerships Slides
August 26, 2020 - Special Topic Session: Branding & Communications Strategies
- Branding & Communications Strategies Webinar Recording
- Branding & Communications Strategies Slides
August 27, 2020 - MRC Unit Leader Wellness
- Unit Leader Wellness Webinar Recording
- Unit Leader Wellness Slides
August 27, 2020 - MRC Closing Session
- Closing Session Webinar Recording
- No meeting slides.
MRC units work on a broad range of emergency preparedness and public health projects. We have highlighted select projects to celebrate the variety and creativity of our MRC units across the country.
- South Hadley/Granby/Northampton MRC, Sheltering Residents with Substance Dependency
- Richmond City MRC, Preventing and Treating Chronic Disease
- Bureau Putnam MRC, Addressing the Opioid Epidemic
- Siouxland District Health Department, Iowa MRC, Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program
- Greater Monadnock, New Hampshire MRC, Prescribe for Health
- LeFlore County, Oklahoma MRC, Mass Fatality Training
- King County MRC, Enhancing Community Collaboration & Coalition
NACCHO also features a number of emergency preparedness blog articles through the Preparedness Brief. Some posts including MRC unit highlights, press releases, and general topics include:
MRC Photo Gallery
California Exercise
MRC volunteers in California participate in an emergency preparedness exercise.
Manasota MRC, Florida
Manasota MRC support response to a fire at Port of Manatee in Palmetto, Florida by setting up a firefighter rehabilitation station in their Medical Aid Station Trailer (MAST).
Slack Water Training
South Carolina Veterinary Reserve Corps volunteers participate in a slack water training.
Public Health Preparedness Program
Katherine Deffer
Director of Preparedness
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Public Health Preparedness Program
Meagan Doran
Senior Program Analyst, MRC
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Public Health Preparedness Program
Keirsten Andersen
Program Analyst, MRC
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Public Health Preparedness Program
Lean Abdelaziz
Program Analyst, Preparedness
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Programs
Caitlyn Harper
Senior Program Assistant
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Public Health Preparedness Program
Beth Hess
Communications Specialist
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