Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement regarding a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the Virgin Islands Department of Health:
“Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services granted the U.S. Virgin Islands $300,000 for the Virgin Islands Department of Health for The Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP). HPP is the only source of federal funding for health care system readiness. HPP prepares the health care system to save lives through the development of regional health care coalitions. HCCs are groups of health care and response organizations that collaborate to prepare for and respond to medical surge events. HCCs incentivize diverse and often competitive health care organizations to work together. HPP prepares the nation’s health care system to save lives during emergencies and disasters.
“When people experience a disaster, they may experience a variety of reactions, many of which are natural responses to difficult situations. Most people show resilience after a disaster. Resilience is the ability to bounce back, cope with adversity, and endure during difficult situations. Thankfully, resilience in disaster recovery is ordinary, not extraordinary, and people regularly demonstrate this ability. This grant will help with the resources needed to address stress and other hardships.”
