Emergency Response
Public health agencies, health care workers, emergency managers, and policymakers are grappling with core legal preparedness and response efforts to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States. The Network’s real-time resources, guidance, and information are available to assist the public health community in this challenging time, and law and policy experts are available to provide direct assistance – get details.
Resources
Explore more sub-topics related to COVID-19
Civic Engagement and Voting
COVID-19 and Health Equity
Crisis Standards of Care
Food and Housing Insecurity Measures
Health Data Sharing and Privacy
Legal Protections for Public Health Officials
Legislation and Legal Challenges
Public Health Advocacy and Decision-Making
Social Distancing Measures
Spotlight
Avian Flu Response: Who Does What?
From Pandemic to Endemic: Legislative Oversight and Termination of Public Health Emergencies
The Strength of Our Collective Commitment to Health and Equity
Learn More
Real-time assistance for questions related to COVID-19 response
The Network can assist local, county, tribal and state health agencies with timely guidance, resources and information critical to key COVID-19 response measures, particularly in the areas of:
- public health authority and emergency powers,
- constitutionality of practices,
- health data privacy,
- protections for disadvantaged and vulnerable individuals,
- crisis standards of care, and
- ethical decision making.
See below for contact information for law and policy experts at each of our Region Offices, or submit your question online using the form.
Want our help?
Western Region Office
Experts at the Western Region Office can assist with a broad range of questions related to COVID-19 legal preparedness and response, including:
» Emergency declarations
» Isolation and quarantine
» Constitutionality of actions
» Crisis standards of care
- Contact a Western Region Law & Policy Expert
James G. Hodge, Jr. Director (480) 727-8576
jhodge@networkforphl.orgApril Shaw Staff Attorney (480) 727-2091
ashaw@networkforphl.orgLeila Barraza Consultant (480) 965-9741
lbarraza@networkforphl.orgSarah Wetter Staff Attorney (570) 906-1921
swetter@networkforphl.org
Northern Region Office
Experts at the Northern Region Office can assist with law and policy questions related to COVID-19 response, particularly in the areas of:
» Impact on mental health
» Telehealth, distance learning, and broadband access
» Challenges/responses for rural communities
» Environmental and climate issues
- Contact a Northern Region Law & Policy Expert
Jill Krueger Director (952) 452-9705
jkrueger@networkforphl.orgBetsy Lawton Senior Staff Attorney (952) 452-9697
blawton@networkforphl.org
Mid-States Region Office
Experts at the Mid-States Region Office can assist with law and policy questions related to COVID-19 response, particularly in the areas of:
» Data privacy and freedom of information laws
» Public health authority, emergency powers and decision-making
» Americans with Disabilities Act
» Emergency contracting and procurement
» Sick leave and Family Medical Leave Act
» Employer and employee rights
- Contact a Mid-States Region Law & Policy Expert
Denise Chrysler Director (734) 647-1316
dchrysler@networkforphl.orgPeter D. Jacobson Co-Director Jennifer Bernstein Deputy Director (734) 764-6772
jbernstein@networkforphl.orgColleen Healy Boufides Deputy Director (734) 764-2089
chealyboufides@networkforphl.orgSallie Milam Deputy Director (952) 452-9700
smilam@networkforphl.org
Southeastern Region Office
Experts at the Southeastern Region Office can assist with law and policy questions related to COVID-19 response, particularly in the areas of:
» Medicaid and COVID-19 response
» Drug prevention and local boards of health
» Messaging
- Contact a Southeastern Region Law & Policy Expert
Gene Matthews Director (734) 647-1316
gmatthews@networkforphl.orgJane Perkins Senior Attorney (919) 260-4303
jperkins@networkforphl.orgSarah Somers Managing Director (919) 968-6308 Ext. 102
ssomers@networkforphl.orgCorey Davis Deputy Director (310) 736-1657
cdavis@networkforphl.orgAmy Lieberman Senior Attorney (952) 500-9105
alieberman@networkforphl.org
Eastern Region Office
Experts at the Eastern Region Office can assist with law and policy questions related to COVID-19 response, particularly in the areas of:
» Eviction bans
» Utility shutoff bans
» Food access during school closures
- Contact an Eastern Region Law & Policy Expert
Kathi Hoke Director (410) 706-1294
khoke@networkforphl.orgMegan Griest Chief of Staff (410) 706-0584
mgriest@networkforphl.orgKerri McGowan
LowreyDeputy Director & Director
of Grants & Research(410) 706-5994
klowrey@networkforphl.orgMathew Swinburne Associate Director (410) 706-4532
mswinburne@networkforphl.org