Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Best Practice Case Studies

alert - warning

The COVID-19 incident period ended on May 11, 2023. FEMA will continue to provide funeral assistance until Sept. 30, 2025, to those who have lost loved ones due to this pandemic.

The following is a collection of key findings and considerations for jurisdictions and communities regarding ongoing COVID-19 pandemic operations across the country. They cover topics such as:

  • Food Banks
  • Government Engagement with Citizens
  • Considerations for People with Disabilities
  • Community Emergency Response Teams
  • Volunteer Management


The COVID-19 Best Practices are searchable by title or keyword below, and they can be filtered by FEMA's community lifelines and core capabilities.

Community lifelines enable the continuous operation of essential government and business functions to promote public health and safety and economic security.

Core capabilities are distinct, critical elements that are necessary to achieve our National Preparedness Goal.

Illustration of Email icon

For more information on these COVID-19 best practices, organizations and individuals can email the FEMA Continuous Improvement Team.

Search for Best Practice Case Studies

FEMA does not endorse any non-government entities, organizations, or services. Claims made by third parties have not been independently verified by FEMA.

To offer emotional and social support for nursing home and assisted living residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, facilities can set up video conference calls between residents and loved ones. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released guidance documents on ensuring the safety of patients, residents, and staff amid shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) and life-sustaining medical equipment.
Jurisdictions can increase the accessibility of COVID-19 testing by offering mobile testing services that allow individuals with disabilities to be tested at home. COVID-19 testing sites can also provide video interpreting services or reserve time slots for populations with access and functional needs.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, disability stakeholder organizations and local jurisdictions created phone lines for individuals with disabilities to request grocery or general assistance. Crowdsourced mobile applications can assist individuals with disabilities while they are grocery shopping and cannot ask for in-person assistance due to social distancing guidelines.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides funding for eligible states and non-profit entities to incorporate auxiliary aids and services in COVID-19 related response activities to accommodate individuals with access and functional needs.
Local jurisdictions held virtual town halls during the COVID-19 pandemic to gather community concerns that would inform response efforts.
Displaying 6 - 10 of 17
Last updated
Return to top