Disaster Preparedness Education

The main office of Lutheran Social Services in Washington, DC offers disaster preparation education and disaster response.

Disaster Preparation Education

• Through a course called PreAct, staff will educate leaders of local congregations on how to develop response plans that will protect their communities and help them recover after a disaster.
• Volunteer groups wishing to travel to disaster sites and assist with the rebuilding process are also trained. Other local volunteers prepare One+Plus disaster recovery kits, which are stored at local churches that have volunteered space and deploy when needed.

Disaster Response

• Disaster response begins by activating the network of service partners which includes but is not limited to, local and regional churches, schools, hospitals, clinics, and social service groups.  Food, shelter, and medical care can be provided. 
• Using money from Hardship Grants, the staff has been able to provide lasting relief as well as building homes, relocating families, and finding job placements for the recently unemployed.