The Staten Island Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) / Medical Ecosystem (MES) coalition, managed by the Staten Island Not For Profit Association (SINFPA), was developed after Superstorm Sandy to better prepare our local community organizations for disasters and/or emergencies, be it an act of nature or man-made. In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the SI COAD has been activated for the last several weeks to provide outreach, communications, resources, connections, guidance and coordination between/among nonprofits, the health care community and public officials/government agencies.
In partnership with the Borough President’s Office, SINFPA’s COAD coalition has been collecting status on operations, challenges and the needs of our healthcare and social services providers, nonprofits and community organizations in order to help address any critical needs and serve as a resource for information and assistance. Local organizations are encouraged to fill out this survey to share how they are being impacted and request supplies: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SInfpCOVID-19.
“The Staten Island delegation continues to work collaboratively to find supplies our community organizations on the front line desperately need during this crisis. We know the surge is coming; we’ve got to have the supplies and staffing when it does, which is why we are grateful for the compassion and expertise the Staten Island COAD has provided in our efforts to support our community's first responders and frontline healthcare workers. We will get through this, but we have to continue to work together to do so,” noted Borough President James Oddo.
As of March 30, 2020, the COAD had received more than 50 responses from local organizations with information on how they have shifted operations as well as requests for supplies. As hospitals and nursing homes remain on the priority list for supplies including personal protective equipment (PPE) from NY Emergency Management, the COAD is working with local public official to meet the needs of our other healthcare and social services providers.
COAD staff, board and volunteers have been working in partnership with Borough Hall, local medical, community-based and faith-based partners as well as grassroots networks, to self-source the necessary supplies. These supplies enable our community's frontline healthcare workers to continue caring for our most vulnerable in group homes and other organizations providing essential services such as food delivery, home visits, and other crucial social services.
The SI COAD has also assisted in promoting the request for PPE donations the Staten Island elected official delegation announced on March 21, 2020 by actively contacting pharmacies, medical/dental offices and other small businesses that may have supply to share that match the need in the community. The Delegation put out a call to dentists and physicians who may be closing their offices during this time to donate their PPE so that healthcare professionals on the front lines of this crisis can continue to safely care for ill patients. The call has now extended to all small businesses that are closed or seeing fewer customers during this time. Those interested in donating should visit www.statenislandusa.com/PPE and complete the intake form.
“It has been invaluable to have Borough President Oddo's not only support, but complete team's engagement and efforts to lead our local response and relief efforts on Staten Island. No other borough has this type of leadership, public official support all around working in partnership with our community-based nonprofit organizations, social service, healthcare and medical providers. It's amazing what we have been able to do together. Literally, in a matter of 36 hours we sourced needed medical supplies from generous community partners like local pharmacies and got them in the hands of our frontline healthcare workers at our group homes and other healthcare and social services providers. This is truly a model of cross-sector collaboration and collective impact. The BP, his staff and this coalition of leaders came together to quickly assess the critical needs of our communities source supplies, coordinate securing them; and get them where they needed to go. This was no easy feat, but one we needed to do seeing the need of our community groups and frontline providers,” said Sharmila Rao Thakkar, MPH, MPA, Executive Director, Staten Island Not For Profit Association / SI COAD.
ABOUT STATEN ISLAND NOT FOR PROFIT ASSOCIATION:
Since 2005, the Staten Island Not For Profit Association, Inc. (SINFPA) has provided resources, support and advocacy for the borough’s nonprofit community. The Association was created to provide a single "voice" for nonprofits in Staten Island, and to enhance the economic impact that nonprofits provide to Staten Island communities. Members include 100+ cultural institutions, faith-based organizations, health care providers, senior & youth service providers, and local community groups that provide services and programs for our diverse Staten Island communities and neighborhoods. Through educational workshops, group trainings and facilitated conversations, SINFPA strives to make sure nonprofits have what they need to continue being a service provider, employer, volunteer opportunity, and active part of the Staten Island community.
The Staten Island Community Organizations Active in Disaster (SI COAD) facilitates ongoing collaboration within the Staten Island nonprofit sector to enhance and strengthen its state of readiness in times of crisis and disaster; interfaces with response organizations on the federal, state and local level; and provides opportunities for learning and sharing resources to promote a culture of preparedness in the borough. The Medical Ecosystem (MES) subcommittee of the COAD brings the voice and expertise of our local hospitals, nursing homes, mental health providers, volunteer EMS and other health care organizations that provide assistance in the event of a large-scale emergency into the network. COAD participants include representatives of our public officials, human service agencies, service providers, educational organizations, hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and private ambulances, including Staten Island University Hospital/Northwell Health, Richmond University Medical Center, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Meals on Wheels, Project Hospitality, SI Long Term Recovery Organization, JCC of Staten Island, Eden II Programs, Staten Island Partnership for Community Wellness, Snug Harbor, IlluminArt Productions, Volunteer Heart Ambulance, Gotham Health, Visiting Nurse Service, and Port Richmond CERT. Response agencies such as the NYC Department of Health & NYC Emergency Management are also members. Visit us at www.sinfpa.org.