Emergency Response Resources for Local Elected Officials

With the COVID-19 crisis, residents are looking to local leaders for guidance and reassurance that their community will be protected.  As local government officials prepare to provide safe and healthy communities for residents Penn State Extension's Leadership and Community Vitality Team is working to provide resources and information to assist in guiding your decisions to keep your towns and cities safe.

*updated May 1, 2020

Associations and Organizations

The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania-The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) is the voice of Pennsylvania counties. CCAP provides county leaders with information and guidance related to legislation, education, media, insurance, technology, and many other issues that help create and maintain crucial services for residents throughout the state.

The Pennsylvania Association of Township Supervisors- The Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors is committed to preserving and strengthening township government by lobbying state and federal lawmakers and educating and informing its members through workshops, an annual conference and exhibit show, and award-winning publications.

The Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs- The Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSAB) is a statewide, non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to serving 956 borough governments. Since 1911, PSAB has represented the interests of boroughs and helped to shape the laws that laid their foundation.

The Pennsylvania School Board Association- The Pennsylvania School Boards Association is a nonprofit statewide association of public school boards, pledged to the highest ideals of local lay leadership for the public schools of the commonwealth.

The Pennsylvania Municipal League-The Pennsylvania Municipal League is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization established in 1900 as an advocate for Pennsylvania's 3rd class cities. Today, The League represents participating Pennsylvania cities, boroughs, townships, home-rule communities, and towns that all share The League's municipal policy interests.

The National League of Cities- The National League of Cities has developed a resource page to support cities, towns, and villages during the COVID-19 outbreak and to take measures to reduce its spread. NLC will update this page as information becomes available. 

Other Resources

*USDA has organized a resource list to connect you to the most up-to-date information related to technical assistance and available funding for businesses, organizations, and local governments in response to COVID-19.

COVID-19 A Frontline Guide for Local Decision-Makers- a consortium of experts developed this guide to provide a decision framework for local leaders to think through what will need to be done to help reduce the impact of the outbreak, both by reducing the spread and decreasing the number of cases, but also in responding and supporting communities effectively. 

From the authors -- "This document is informed by existing guidance from U.S. and global authorities, public health research findings, and lessons observed from countries that have been battling COVID-19 since January 2020. It is intended to complement, but not in any way supplant, advice and guidance from global, federal and local public health and other authorities."

National Digital Alliance- The COVID-19 health crisis has shed light on the need for home internet service, and a large number of American households in all kinds of communities who don't have it. Some Internet Service Providers have responded with new or improved discount broadband plans, that will only be available for a short time; others continue to offer plans that were created prior to the crisis.  NDIA commits to keeping this list of Free & Low-Cost Internet Plans updated daily.

Broadband Now- is a website that helps consumers find and compare Internet service providers in their area.

Extension Disaster Education Network- Community organizations, such as faith-based organizations and nonprofits, are instrumental before, during, and after epidemics. This program walks organizations through a process to learn about potential epidemics, serve their members, and serve their communities before, during, and after an epidemic.

Best Practices for Managing and Moderating Community Social Media Groups-this article provides tips and suggestions for managing an online social media account for your community to help residents stay engaged and informed.

The Center for Rural Pennsylvania- The Center for Rural Pennsylvania is a bipartisan, bicameral legislative agency that serves as a resource for rural policy within the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
The Center works with the legislature, educators, state and federal executive branch agencies, and national, statewide, regional and local organizations to maximize resources and strategies that can better serve Pennsylvania's nearly 3.4 million rural residents.

 ICMA (The International City Managers Association)- ICMA helps local government professionals around the world create and sustain thriving communities through a range of activities. ICMA provides current free and fee webinars and training for local government and community officials.

Grant Writing: How to Find Funds and Write a Winning Proposal- This online course is free for a limited time.  It walks you through the steps of how to write a successful grant proposal. Learn about the grant review process, organizational missions, and public and private funding sources.