Resource Library
Public health emergencies, including infectious disease outbreaks and natural disasters, are issues that every community faces. To address these threats, it is critical for all jurisdictions to understand how law can be used to enhance public health preparedness, as well as improve collaboration and coordination across jurisdictions. This Resource Library is designed to provide relevant resources to Tribal Nations seeking to enhance their legal preparedness capacity. While most resources have a Tribal focus, some resources are included that are generally applicable to legal preparedness for public health emergencies and natural disasters.
Toolkits
Emergency Authority & Immunity Toolkit
This toolkit outlines key concepts of how federal and state emergency declarations initiate various response authorities and liability protections. Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (2012)
Emergency Use Authorization Toolkit
This toolkit reviews the use of vaccines and other countermeasures administered under federal Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) protocols and questions about liability. Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (2012)
Emergency Volunteer Toolkit
This toolkit addresses key concepts regarding emergency response volunteers, including types of volunteers, federal and state laws governing or affecting volunteers, and volunteer registration. Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (2012)
Public Health & Information Sharing Toolkit
This toolkit addresses key concepts regarding public health agencies’ authority to collect, use, and share information to prepare and respond to a public health emergency. Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (2012)
Public Health & Schools Toolkit
This toolkit discusses legal and policy issues associated undertaking public health emergency preparedness and response activities within schools and other educational settings. Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (2012)
Public Health and the Law: An Emergency Preparedness Training Kit
This toolkit is designed to prepare public health practitioners, their legal counsel, and other partners to understand and effectively address the changes in the legal environment that occur as a result of an emergency. The kit includes a locally-customizable PowerPoint curriculum and exercise, instructor’s manual, training component summaries, and training videos. National Association of County & City Health Officials (2012) (available for purchase)
Scope of Practice Toolkit
This toolkit reviews key issues regarding the allowable scope of practice of various health care professionals and expanding that scope during emergencies. Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (2012)
Toolkit: Cross-Jurisdictional Sharing Between Tribes and Counties for Emergency Management
This toolkit has been developed to aid Tribes and counties in cross-jurisdictional sharing (CJS) for emergency management (i.e., preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery). California Rural Indian Health Board/California Tribal Epidemiology Center (January 31, 2017)
Tribal Leaders Toolkit Addiction Task Force Strengthening Our Nations 2018
This toolkit outlines the National Congress of American Indian’s research on the opioid crisis. Additionally, this toolkit provides examples of efforts by the Seneca Nation and Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians to address the opioid epidemic in their community. National Congress of American Indians (2018)
The contents of this website have not been formally disseminated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ChangeLab Solutions, and the Center for Public Health Practice. The contents should not be construed to represent any agency/organization determination or policy. These website materials are for instructional use only and are not intended as a substitute for professional legal or other advice. While every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of these materials, legal authorities and requirements may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and change over time. Always seek the advice of an attorney or other qualified professional with any questions you may have regarding a legal matter.
