Welcome

If this is your first time receiving our newsletter, we welcome you! This newsletter provides resources and information on preparing and planning for public health emergencies with a focus on the Disability, Access, and Functional Needs (DAFN) community.

DAFN Team

Left to right: Annerose Penalba (she/her) is an Asian woman with brown medium length hair wearing a black and grey sweater. Kim Vuong (she/her) is an Asian woman with a black pixie cut wearing a black jacket. McKenzie Stribich (she/her) is a white woman with brown curly hair wearing a red long sleeve shirt. Esme Garcia (she/her) is a Latina woman with brown skin, dark brown curly hair wearing a black zipped up jacket. Saturne Sam (she/her) is an Asian woman with long black hair wearing a red long sleeve shirt.

CBS News interviewed DAFN team members McKenzie Stribich, Kim Vuong and Esme Garcia, who shared the Sensory Area for Everyone (S.A.F.E.) Vehicle, which will be a resource for those with sensory needs during emergencies.

Thursday, June 27th is PTSD Awareness Day

PTSD Awareness Day is observed every year on June 27th. PTSD stands for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event, such as combat, natural disasters, car accidents, or sexual assault. PTSD is considered an invisible disability because it is not as visible to others as a wheelchair or crutches would be.

Learn how you can take care of your mental and emotional health during an emergency or disaster by clicking the button below:

Register for the 3rd Annual AFN Symposium (FREE & Virtual)

July 11-12, 2024

The National AFN Symposium will bring the disability community together with emergency managers, disaster planners, and first responders from across the country in an online forum.

3rd Annual Long Beach Disability Pride Celebration (FREE)

Friday, July 26th at 5pm - 7 pm

Celebrating Long Beach's diverse disability community all day, every day. 

Join us to celebrate at Long Beach Disability Pride’s celebration at Harvey Milk Park. There will be family-friendly activities, food, and much more! 

Event Address

Harvey Milk Promenade Park

185 E. 3rd St. 90802

Download Flyer Here

Learn More About Long Beach Cooling Centers!

If the sun is making it hard to get through the day, then come enjoy the cool air conditioning at several Long Beach Community Centers. The following is a list of community centers near you that will offer a cool place to stay during center hours. Some centers may be opened after hours on an emergency basis.

Stay Cool This Summer

A cooling center is a special place where you can go when it's very hot outside and you need to cool down. Check out some of the places you can visit!

Download Coloring Sheet Here

🌡️It's hot out there! Be sure to stay hydrated and cool to avoid heat exhaustion. Know the signs so you can take action.💪☀️ 

To learn more, visit https://www.cdc.gov/extreme-heat/signs-symptoms/index.html

#BeatTheHeatLB

Earlier this month, Beach Area BARK therapy dogs visited the PHEM Staff. BARK is an all-volunteer program that encourages children to increase their reading skills and self-confidence by reading aloud to certified therapy dogs. Students find it intimidating to read in front of classmates, but love to read to the non-judgmental, calming dogs. BARK now has teams listening to kids in more than 60 schools and libraries.  

The DAFN team has hosted several successful “Lunch and Learns” to strengthen our PHEM team’s knowledge on accessible and equitable emergency planning and response. If you would like to present during our Lunch and Learns, please complete the linked form below. 

In case you missed last month's newsletter, click the button below!

Visit longbeach.gov/dafn or email he-dafn@longbeach.gov

Connect with us @lbhealthdept