Barriers and Opportunities for the MCH Workforce to Support Hurricane Preparedness, Response, and Recovery in Florida

In recent years, catastrophic hurricanes have devastated numerous areas, prompting a need to build resilience particularly in at-risk populations that rely on health care and social services. The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) workforce covers a wide breadth of services to pregnant women, families, and children with special health care needs. Research has noted the need to strengthen this workforce with training and skills to help their patients and clients prepare, respond, and recover from disasters.Focus groups and interviews with 35 Florida parents and professionals impacted by Hurricanes Irma, Maria, and Michael were conducted to evaluate the stressors placed on systems of care serving mothers and infants in Florida. Journey mapping was used to explore opportunities for improving MCH training and services.Results highlight the importance of increased communication and collaboration between families and providers, coordination among health care and social services providers, effective public messaging, tailored preparedness materials and processes, and the need for post-disaster mental health services and employment resources.Ultimately, hurricane preparation and mitigation are key for improving community resilience and these efforts should be tailored to MCH populations as well as delivered by the providers who know their needs best.