Resources for Community Partners

The U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit provides an overview of key steps to resilience and case studies, tools, funding opportunities and other resources. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also maintains a Climate Resilience and Adaptation Funding Toolbox.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a more health-specific approach called the Building Resilience Against Climate Effects (BRACE) Framework. The American Public Health Association also provides a Climate Change and Health Playbook with focus on adaptation planning for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. 

Data and mapping tools can help to understand and visualize the expected impacts of climate change at a local level:

• National Climate Assessment Interactive Atlas
• Climate Mapping for Resilience and Adaptation
• Tools for Community Planners

More health-specific action strategies can be found in CDC’s Climate and health: a guide for cross-sector collaboration or the Health section of the U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit. 

• Create a community response plan that identifies protective actions to take on hot days.
• Open a cooling center by following the community cooling center guidance.
• Send out messages via social media or Front Porch Form to communicate to your community about how to prepare for hot weather, what to do, and what resources are available.
• Share information about climate change and dangerous weather with the families you work with. The following resources should be shared widely:
  • Community Cooling Sites Map
  • Hot weather safety in different languages
• Mobilize local care networks to check on people at high risk for heat illness.
• Limit or cancel outdoor job, school or extracurricular activities, including athletic practices, games and other outdoor events.
• Have a plan for hot weather by following the preparedness guidance for schools and child care providers.
• Plant trees and shrubs, and reduce paved surfaces to keep urbanized areas cooler.
• Promote energy-efficient building design, including use of cool roofs and pavements.

Children and youth are highly affected by hot weather and air pollution. Schools and child cares, including before and after school programs and camps, should take extra steps to protect children during days with hot weather or unhealthy air quality.

During Hot Weather

• Watch for signs of heat illness when playing outside or in an area without air conditioning.
• Follow tips to stay safe when it's hot outside.
• Limit or cancel outdoor activities when it's very hot, including athletic practices and games.

During Unhealthy Air Quality

Air pollution from wildfire smoke has become more common in Vermont. Guidelines for air quality depend on the level of pollution in the Air Quality Index (AQI) and an individual's health risk. 

• Follow the Vermont Children and Youth Activities Guide for Air Quality to adjust activities based on the level of air pollution.
• Check the AQI for your area on AirNow.gov before planning outdoor activities.
• Close windows and doors when activities are moved inside due to unhealthy air quality.