SEARCH (Sustaining Essential And Rural Community Healthcare), a local 501(c)(3) organization, is set to conduct a door-to-door survey initiative in Mitchell and Yancey Counties to assess the impact that Hurricane Helene has had on our communities and their citizens at a point in time that is approximately 8 months after the storm hit. The survey, called a Community Assessment For Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER), is currently planned for Friday, June 27 and Saturday, June 28 and consists of 31 questions that can be answered in 10 to 15 minutes. This community health assessment aims to better understand community needs, identify public health issues, inform future recovery and preparedness efforts and generally understand how Hurricane Helene has affected the lives of our citizens. Teams of volunteers from the public health departments at Appalachian State, East Tennessee State and the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, as well as a number of local volunteers will collaborate to visit randomly chosen neighborhoods and households across Mitchell and Yancey Counties on June 27 and June 28 beginning late morning and ending late afternoon each day. Our volunteers will be identifiable by their vests and name tags. Resident participation is greatly appreciated but completely optional.
