HERNANDO COAD MEETING NOTES #101
Community Organizations Active in Disaster

Quick recap

This was the 101st meeting of the Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) group, held virtually on Monday, May 18, 2026 with 42 participants. The meeting began with updates from members sharing recent successes and achievements, including a successful rehousing for a fire victim through United Way, NAMI's upcoming hurricane disaster relief support groups starting in June, and various community partnerships. Erin Thomas from Emergency Management provided updates on the HERicane Hernando Camp program receiving a Duke Energy Foundation grant and announced the fifth consecutive year of the camp scheduled for June 22nd. Jeremy from Emergency Management delivered a detailed presentation on disaster declaration processes, explaining the difference between emergency declarations and major disaster declarations, and how federal assistance is determined through damage assessments. The meeting covered resource updates including a successful food drive coordinated by Chrysler Dodge Jeep of Brooksville with United Way, increased demand at food pantries, and requests for safety supplies for homeless populations. Mental health support was discussed with NAMI's new support group schedule for disaster survivors, and various partners shared updates on housing assistance, shelter needs, and employment opportunities.

Summary

COAD Meeting Follow-up Discussion

Angie from United Way Hernando opened the 101st COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster) meeting, noting it was the follow-up to their 100th in-person meeting.  The meeting began at 9:32 AM with 42 participants.

Member WINS & Shout Outs

Angie invited attendees to share updates or successes from the previous month. She discussed plans for a Senior Expo on September 19th and enjoyed strengthening their partnership with Community Policing.Sharon Christian from the American Red Cross highlighted the efforts and great connection to Hernando County's Department of Veterans Services in supporting long-serving veterans, County Veterans Service Officer James Swanson veteran_services@hernandocounty.us. Diana from Endeavors reported on their work in Hernando County for April, including 58 cases, 11 DCMs assigned, 52 referrals, and $75,540 worth of assistance provided to residents. Angie also shared the successful rehousing of a fire victim family of seven, and Ed from St Vincent de Paul provided information on how the thrift store could assist them with needed items. Eric from NAMI announced the launch of new support groups for hurricane disaster relief emotional support, starting in June at various locations.

Hernando County Updates

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT - Erin Thomas from Emergency Management announced that they received a Duke Energy Foundation Strategic Impact Grant to host the fifth consecutive year of HERicane Hernando Camp, scheduled for June 22nd, and encouraged applications through the website. 

LONG-TERM RECOVERY GROUP -  Angie discussed the next Long-Term Recovery Group Meeting #15 on May 26th and emphasized the importance of strengthening participation from local faith communities and ministries. 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH - Erin provided an update on special needs registration, sharing the link and emphasizing that Emergency Management manages the registry while the Health Department runs special needs shelters. She noted that being transportation disadvantaged qualifies someone as a special needs client and that annual contact with registered clients is required by state statute. 

211 HERNANDO & 988 CALL TREND REPORTS - Kimberly from First Contact presented 211 Hernando data showing 182 calls in April from 163 unique clients, with 120 being 18 or older, and reported 7 hurricane-related calls that may be connected to weatherization programs. The discussion highlighted increased food pantry referrals and the need for further investigation into potential causes, including recent weatherization program selections.

Kimberly provided updates on 988 phone calls in Hernando County for April, reporting 113 confirmed callers with 46 referrals provided. She noted one active caller, a veteran, and discussed challenges with frequent calls from other counties affecting overall response times. Regarding minors, Kimberly reported 3 calls from a 10-year-old who hasn't contacted them since April 30th, with DCF involvement due to concerns about isolation and homeschooling arrangements. The discussion concluded with updates on suicide-related calls and plans for an ASSIST training class with the local Coast Guard in June.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Emergency Management on Federal Disaster Declaration Processes

Jeremy Odell from Emergency Management presented on disaster declaration processes, explaining how federal disaster declarations work under the Stafford Act. They detailed the difference between emergency declarations, which focus on life-saving measures before and during events, and major disaster declarations, which provide broader funding availability for recovery after events. The presentation covered the damage assessment process that local jurisdictions must conduct, the role of state verification, and factors that can delay declaration processes including financial thresholds, insurance complications, and accessibility issues. 

Disaster Response Preparation Strategies

Angie and Jeremy discussed improving preparation and communication strategies for disaster response, particularly around FEMA assistance applications and individual assistance declarations. They suggested creating a one-pager document to help residents prepare for disasters, including recommendations for before and after photographs, important document safety, and applying for federal assistance even before official declarations. Erin shared a link to Jeremy's recent appearance at a press conference about hurricane season preparation.

PARTNER UPDATES & LOCAL TRENDS

The meeting focused on hurricane preparedness and disaster relief efforts in Hernando County. Angie led discussions on various topics including supplies, mental health support, food distribution, shelters, and employment opportunities. Key updates included NAMI's new support groups starting in June, a successful food drive collecting 2 tons of food, and St. Vincent de Paul's pantry visits increasing by 20%. The group discussed creating safety bags for people in encampments, including items like whistles and air horns. They also addressed the need for cooling centers during heat waves, with plans to reconvene the warming/cooling center subcommittee. The conversation ended with information from Kim at LifeSouth about blood donation needs, especially during the summer season when donations typically decline.

NEXT MEETING

Next Hernando COAD Meeting #102: Monday, June 29, 2026 9:30am -11am via Zoom

Next steps

Angie

• Share the updated NAMI flyer (once received from Eric) with the group and promote the new mental health support group dates/locations. 

• Share the link to the press conference with Jeremy's remarks about hurricane season in the follow-up notes.

• Share the slides from EM's Disaster Declaration presentation with meeting attendees. 

• Add air horns/whistles to the toiletry item wish list for safety bags for vulnerable populations, and communicate this need to partners. (UW secured a whistle donation through Target)

• Reconvene the Warming/Cooling Center Sub-Committee to discuss criteria/thresholds for Cooling Center activation at PHP and prepare communications/flyers.

• Send out the Youth Workforce paid training opportunity flyer again in the follow-up. 

• Follow up with Barbara regarding mattress needs for recently rehoused fire victim family.

• Share Department of Health's preferred partner link for birth certificate requests (as provided by Justine) with Dana and interested partners.

• Share contact information for Senior Expo VENDOR opportunities. 

• Share information about the Prescription Drug Take-Back event flyer with all attendees.

• Share information about the Back to School Bash point of contact (community policing) with Cheyenne and interested parties. (contact Deputy Ashley May amay@hernandosheriff.org) 

Cheyenne

• Send updated flyers and contact information to Angie for New Beginnings Youth Shelter volunteer/activities opportunities.

Kim

• Connect with Sasha to investigate the increase in food pantry referrals and weatherization program calls, and report findings back to Angie.

• Send answers to Angie regarding the 7 hurricane/disaster-related calls and their connection to weatherization programs.

Kim (LifeSouth)

• Send information about blood drive hosting and community grant to interested parties who reach out.

Collaboration

• Jeremy/Erin: Develop a one-pager/checklist for residents on what to do and what documentation is needed before/after a disaster for FEMA/assistance, and share with COAD partners.

​​ 

Monday, April 27, 2026 9:30am-11am at Emergency Management

• 35 attendees

COUNTY UPDATES

• 21 COAD Partners participated in Sunday’s Hurricane & Safety Expo
• This Friday, May 1^st’s Table Top Exercise through Project Phoenix Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council – registration has stopped, but as Erin mentioned, please feel free to join this 8:30am-4pm session at Emergency Management
• Encourage Pre-registration for Special Needs Sheltering and anticipated transportation barriers.
• March 2026 Hernando Call Trends: 211 = 170 calls with electric and homeless prevention resources continuing to be the top identified needs. 988 = 185 calls, 46 referrals made, and 4 calls being from 2 10-year-olds experiencing crisis. Continue to share 988 as a resource www.988LifeLine.org. NY Times article on decline of youth suicides.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

• Capacity Path Relief DCM mental health resources. See follow up email for slides.

RESOURCES & UPDATES

• Supplies: Toiletry outreach bags will be available for distribution mid-May via United Way, thanks to Challenger K8!
• Mental Health & Substance Abuse: A successful Mental Health First Aid Training for 18 Disaster Relief Volunteers & COAD Members was hosted on 4/22 (thank you NAMI Hernando). Disaster Emotional & Spiritual Care Academy Sessions ends this month.
• Food & Distribution: 5/9’s National Stamp Out Hunger food drive (volunteers will be needed at People Helping People to unload that day between 2pm-7pm) + 5/16’s local Drive Out Hunger food drive 
• Shelters & Housing: Warming/Cooling Station Sub-Committee will meet again; Point in Time Count figures are in; Mid Florida Homeless Coalition’s Homeless Prevention and Housing Assessment for those experiencing homelessness can now be completed online by scanning a QR Code. This allows clients to access and complete the assessments either from your office—with your guidance and support—or from the comfort of their own home.
• Emergency Assistance: Hernando County CDBG deadline was 4/24 and United Way Hernando’s CIG Eligibility was 4/27 @ 5pm.
• Childcare & Schools: Parent Academy’s Mobile Resource Bus is now active; Kindergarten Sneak Peek; Poverty Simulation Volunteers Needed for May 7^th (see details below for sign up)
• Employment: Paid Youth Workforce Training available 
• Volunteerism: Pre-register as a Disaster Relief Volunteer

COMING UP

• COAD Meeting #101: Monday, May 18, 2026 @ 9:30am via Zoom (date change due to holiday) Link below & calendar invite to follow.
• LTRG Meeting #15: Tuesday, May 26, @ 2:00pm at EOC. Calendar invite will be sent to LTRG Members.

*Poverty Simulation Training at Hernando High School (approximately 90+ students)
Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026
Location: Hernando High School Gymnasium
Volunteer Arrival Time: 8:00 AM (orientation from 8:00–8:45 AM; morning refreshments provided)
Simulation Start Time: 9:00 AM
End Time: Approximately 1:30 PM (may end earlier)

Please note that volunteers will assist at designated “community stations” during the simulation. This is not a vendor-style setup—each station will have assigned roles, and all materials and instructions will be provided. 

If anyone is interested in volunteering to facilitate one of the “community stations” during the simulation, please contact me at: figueroa_s@hcsb.k12.fl.us or 352-797-7070 x 70410

HERNANDO COAD MEETING #98 NOTES

2/23/26 - Thank you all for joining this morning’s COAD Meeting. Here’s an accurate summary below, including touched on attachments for follow up. Reference agenda for noted links.

Quick recap

The Hernando Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) meeting focused on updates and coordination efforts related to disaster preparedness and response in Hernando County. Participants discussed the success of the recent Warming Center operations, which served 199 individuals over 16 nights, and highlighted the need for volunteers to staff future centers. The group reviewed the upcoming Hernando Prepares Hurricane and Safety Expo scheduled for April 26th at Hernando High School. Updates were shared on mental health initiatives, including NAMI's new men's group and ongoing support services, while the Early Learning Coalition announced a new trauma-informed parenting class starting in April. The meeting also covered emergency assistance funding challenges, shelter availability at the Dawn Center, and the need for disaster relief volunteers. Participants were reminded to pre-register for volunteer opportunities and to stay informed about upcoming events and training sessions.

ACTION ITEMS

• Angie: Add interested parties (including Mike from NAMI, Diana, Kendra, Erin, Nancy, Ron, and others who express interest) to the Warming/Cooling Center Subcommittee communications list. Aim to schedule meeting over the next 2 weeks.
• Angel (Emergency Management): Send Angie vendor application for the Hernando Prepares Hurricane and Safety Expo for interested parties today.
• Erin and Angie: Share Jennifer's (Warning Coordination Meteorologist) slides from the debrief meeting with the group. (see attached)
• Ron (People Helping People): Finalize and announce new location for March 18th Homeless Initiative meeting and notify all participants.
• Michael (NAMI) and Angie: Meet around 2pm to discuss potential LTRG support group outreach site at East Library branch and determine needs/expectations for the site.
• Angie: Promote next mental health first aid training to Warming Center volunteers and interested parties once date is received from NAMI.
• All COAD members: Pre-register as Disaster Relief Volunteers via the provided link to receive information about training opportunities (e.g., mental health first aid, warming station training).
• Angel: Follow up with Hernando County website/DOH to address and fix the broken link to DOH Hernando's special needs sheltering information page. Promote individuals to pre-register.
• Angie: Distribute outreach flyer for long-term recovery mental health support (provided by Tracy and revised by Angie) to DCMs and the group as an attachment. (see attached)
• Angie: Promote NAMI's new men's group (Thursdays 7-8pm) to the group once details are finalized.
• Wynter (Early Learning Coalition): Send flyer and information about the new trauma-informed parenting class (starting April) to Angie for distribution to the group. (see attached)
• Angie: Share job description link for United Way Program Care Coordinator in the chat. www.UnitedWayHernando.org/Careers
• Angie: Solicit and coordinate with potential breakfast sponsors for the 100th COAD in-person meeting in April.
• All new/unlisted participants: Provide full name, organization, and email in the chat to be added to the COAD distribution list.

Summary

The meeting had 39 participants

Successes & SAVE THE DATE

Angie, the Executive Director of the United Way of Hernando County, welcomed attendees to the monthly COAD meeting, emphasizing its role in building partnerships and collaboration for disaster response. Angel highlighted the success of a recent referral for a chair to assist a hospital patient, attributing it to the seamless coordination among COAD members. Additionally, she announced the upcoming celebration of the 100th COAD meeting in April and provided an update on the VITA program, which has successfully scheduled over 1,700 appointments for free tax preparation services. The conversation ended with a request for updates from Erin Thomas on the Warming Center's impact and any current announcements from Emergency Management.

Warming Center Operations and Expo

The meeting focused on the recent operation of the Warming Center, which served 199 individuals over 16 nights between December and February. Angel and Erin presented statistics and discussed the transportation logistics, highlighting the success of bus routes from Walmart in Brooksville to the enrichment center. The group also reviewed plans for the upcoming Hernando Prepares Hurricane and Safety Expo, scheduled for April 26 at Hernando High School, and discussed the need for special volunteers to staff the Warming Center.

Volunteer Pre-Registration and Weather Briefing

Angie thanked Mike for his outreach efforts and encouraged others to pre-register as Disaster Relief Volunteer or CERT volunteers. She proposed establishing a Warming/Cooling Center Sub-Committee of the COAD, inviting interested participants to sign up. Erin provided a weather briefing, noting a freeze warning and red flag warning in effect, urging caution with wildfires and reminding everyone of the county-wide burn ban. She emphasized the importance of spreading the word about the fire danger without causing fires.

Emergency Preparedness and Recovery Updates

The meeting covered updates on several initiatives, including the upcoming expo, where new strategies will be implemented, and vendor information will be shared through COAD. Erin highlighted the importance of the Alert Hernando program for emergency notifications and encouraged participation. The Long-Term Recovery Group's next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, February 26th, and participants were reminded to visit the LTRG website for updates and to connect individuals in need with available services. DCMP Manager Diana from Endeavors expressed gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate and mentioned ongoing efforts to address unmet needs. The Department of Health emphasized the importance of pre-registering isolated, special needs, and elderly individuals for hurricane season and provided resources for further information.

Special Needs Registry Partnership Meeting

The meeting discussed the partnership between DOH and Emergency Management for special needs registry management and shelter operations. Erin emphasized that the lengthy intake form is necessary for proper emergency planning, and Angel Turner was identified as the Special Needs Coordinator. Angie noted that the DOH Hernando website's landing page for more information on Special Needs Sheltering was broken, and Erin committed to fixing it. The meeting also covered the 211 Hernando and 988 January call trend reports, highlighting key statistics FYTD (July-Jan) about caller demographics, needs, and resource referrals (reference back of Meeting agenda for outline). Participants were encouraged to keep their resource database information up-to-date and to use the United Way's 211 website for accurate resource information: www.UnitedWayHernando.org/211

Hurricane Relief and Homelessness Response

The team discussed the ongoing hurricane supply drive and the positive impact of toiletry prep bags provided to the unhoused population. They reviewed the recent county-wide point-in-time count, with TaVon sharing her first-year experience and the importance of providing physical assistance during the count. Angie mentioned the successful recruitment efforts for the Warming Center subcommittee and encouraged further participation. The team also discussed receiving figures from the point-in-time count, which are expected in about a month.

Hernando County Homeless Count Update

Roneige provided a detailed update on the recent point-in-time homeless count in Hernando County. The event involved 54 volunteers across 21 teams who covered 4 sites, distributing 250 bags of food and supplies to 157 people. Data collection methods included paper surveys, online forms, and a call-down from the local homeless management information system. The final count numbers are still pending review by Middle Florida Homeless Coalition and the school district, with results expected by the end of March.

Homeless Initiative Outreach Updates

The meeting discussed updates on the homeless initiative, including a successful outreach effort during extreme cold weather and plans for the next meeting in March at a new location. Ron provided details on the initiative's annual nature and emphasized the importance of advance planning. Will F.Nicholas from the Dawn Center shared updates on 10 available beds and the program's 8-week duration. Michael reported on NAMI outreach efforts to the unhoused population and ongoing work with the Red Cross for support group sites. Angie highlighted an enhanced partnership with the Hernando County library system for additional support group outreach and dementia care opportunities.

Program Updates and Training Initiatives

The meeting discussed updates on various programs and initiatives. Eric announced a change in the NAMI’s Men's Support Group schedule, moving it to every Thursday from 7 to 8 p.m. at NAMI. Wynter from the Early Learning Coalition shared information about a new trauma-informed parenting class starting in April, which Angie requested outreach materials for (attached). Eric mentioned that mental health first aid training was recently completed, and they could schedule another course if agencies are interested. The team also briefly touched on food distribution updates and emergency assistance needs.

Emergency Funding and Volunteer Updates

The meeting covered updates on emergency assistance funding, which is currently depleted, and upcoming opportunities with CDBG funds. Partners shared employment opportunities, including positions at United Way Hernando (Program Care Coordinator), Dawn Center (Shelter Advocates) and St. Vincent de Paul CARES (Case manager for Leesburg Office). The group discussed volunteerism, events and disaster relief training. Upcoming events were announced, including the 100th COAD meeting in April and the 11th annual Kickstart to Early Literacy Kickball Tournament on March 28th.

Next COAD Meeting

Meeting #99 will take place Monday, March 30^th from 9:30am-11am. Zoom link below and calendar invite to follow to registered COAD Members.