health and Social Services (HSS) Recovery Support Function

The Health and Social Services (HSS) Recovery Support Function (RSF) assists locally-led recovery efforts to restore public health, behavioral health, medical systems, and social services, including education. Coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) (or similar state/local entities, depending on the jurisdiction), it promotes resilience and mitigates long-term, disaster-related physical and emotional injuries.

The HSS RSF supports 1) the assessment of health care, behavioral health, and social services resources in disaster-impacted areas and locations where survivors have been displaced, and 2) the implementation of measures to augment local capabilities and mitigate potential impacts. Examples of activities the HSS RSF can support during a community’s long-term recovery efforts include the following: 

• Development of any local private sector healthcare workforce engagement strategies. 

• Work with HSS partners conducting assessments to collect information relevant to HSS recovery. 

• Work with HSS partners to identify any health, social services, and mental health resources for communities, schools, and vulnerable populations.