Community Resilience Hubs Resource Library

This Resource Library contains a regionally tailored set of tools, toolkits, guides, templates, samples, websites, and informational resources to support your efforts to develop a Community Resilience Hub. Each resource is tagged by its type and Toolkit module to help you easily find resources aligned with the step of the planning process you’re currently focused on. If you have any questions, encounter any technical issues, or have recommendations for additional resources to feature in this library, please contact us.

3C-REN Energy Assurance Services

Tri-County Regional Energy Network (3C-REN)

This program offers tailored energy audits for critical facilities within the tri-county region. These audits are customized to meet the specific needs of each facility, with a focus on resiliency, energy efficiency, and comprehensive load management.

ADA Checklist for Emergency Shelters

U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division

This step-by-step checklist helps state and local governments ensure that emergency shelters are physically accessible to individuals with disabilities, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Austin’s Resilience Hub Toolkit: Site Assessment Checklist

City of Austin, Office of Resilience

This toolkit provides guidance on establishing a resilience hub. The site assessment checklist (PDF pg. 12) contains relevant information for the Facility Improvements module.

Best Available Map (flood hazards)

California Department of Water Resources

These maps display the best available 100-, 200-, and 500-year floodplain data statewide to help users identify potential flood hazards in their area through an interactive web viewer.

Best Practices for Meaningful Community Engagement

Groundwork USA

This brief guide offers tips for engaging historically underrepresented populations in visioning and planning, with strategies to strengthen interpersonal connections across your community.

Building a Collaborative Framework

National Policy Consensus Center

This guide presents a five‑step process to establish effective collaborative governance arrangements, including defining purpose and accountability, selecting an entity type, designing governance structures, drafting formal documents, and adapting over time.

Building a Collaborative Governance Framework: A Five Step Process

National Policy Consensus Center

This implementation guide walks through five structured steps, from clarifying group purpose and accountability to choosing an entity type and drafting governance documents, aimed at helping diverse stakeholders form an effective collaborative governance structure.

Cal-Adapt: Local Climate Change Snapshot

California Energy Commission (CEC)

This tool is a starting place if you are looking to get a quick sense of climate impacts in your region. The Snapshot tool provides climate projections for temperature, precipitation, and wildfire.

CalHeatScore

California Department of Public Health (CDPH)

CalHeatScore shows daily rankings of forecasted heat impacts across California ZIP codes based on historical data and weather modeling.

California Adaptation Planning Guide

California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES)

The California Adaptation Planning Guide provides guidance to support communities in addressing the consequences of climate change. Phase 4: Implement, Monitor, Evaluate, and Adjust (PDF pg. 149-162) offers relevant guidance for the Funding Strategy module.

California Grants Portal

California State Library

This website serves as a centralized location to find state grant opportunities.

California Healthy Place Index: Extreme Heat Edition

Public Health Alliance of Southern California & UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation

The tool provides datasets on projected heat exposure for California, place-based indicators measuring community conditions and sensitive populations. It also provides a list of state resources and funding opportunities that can be used to address extreme heat.

Caltrans QuickMap (traffic information)

California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)

This map presents several types of real-time traffic information, including traffic speed, lane and road closures due to construction and maintenance activities and incident reports.

Candidate Resilience Hub Mapping Tool

PSE Healthy Energy

This interactive tool allows users to explore opportunities for resilience hubs in communities throughout California. This interactive map contains information about potential resilience hub building sites (e.g., community centers, libraries, places of worship), local populations (e.g., CalEnviroScreen Score, poverty level, climate vulnerability), and local climate risks (e.g., extreme heat, poor air quality, public safety power shutoffs).

Climate Change & Health Vulnerability Indicators for California (CCHVIs)

California Department of Public Health (CDPH)

This interactive tool allows users to examine health risks at the census-tract level, compare counties to statewide benchmarks, and identify communities with intersecting vulnerabilities.

Climate Stewards Certification Program

Community Environmental Council

This certification program empowers individuals to advance equitable climate solutions in their communities. The course provides the resources, training, and confidence for participants to join the grassroots climate action movement on California’s Central Coast.

Collaboration Toolkit: Creating an MOU

Colorado Nonprofit Association

A practical guide on developing memoranda of understanding (MOUs) for nonprofit strategic partnerships, outlining key components such as roles, responsibilities, timelines, risk sharing, and financial arrangements to foster clear and collaborative agreements.

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program

FEMA

The CERT program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may occur where they live. CERT trains volunteers in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.

Community Resilience Centers (CRC) Grant Program

California Strategic Growth Council (SGC)

SGC’s CRC program will fund new construction and upgrades of neighborhood-level resilience centers to provide shelter and resources during climate and other emergencies. The program will also fund year-round services and ongoing programming that build overall community resilience.

Community Resilience Toolkit: A Workshop Guide for Community Resilience Planning

Bay Localize

This toolkit guides groups in leading workshops to plan for resilience in their communities while decreasing reliance on fossil fuels. It is designed for community groups that would like to get involved in making a difference in their neighborhood, city, or county

Community-Driven Climate Resilience Planning Framework

National Association of Climate Resilience Planners

This framework advocates deepening democratic practices at the local and regional levels; seeks to put forth the principles and practices defining this emergent field; and outlines resources for community-based institutions implementing community-driven planning processes.

Debris Management Resources

County of Santa Barbara

A resource for Santa Barbara county residents to help manage debris in the cases of major weather events. The resource includes information about the County's Material Exchange website and a list of material management facilities, provided in both English and Spanish.

Developing and Maintaining Emergency Operations Plans: Comprehensive Preparedness Guide

FEMA

This Comprehensive Preparedness Guide provides guidance on the fundamentals of planning and developing emergency operations plans (EOP). The guide shows how EOPs are connected to planning efforts in the areas of prevention, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation

Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool

USDA

Learn about USDA disaster assistance programs that might be right for you by completing five simple steps. The Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool uses your answers to five questions to identify USDA disaster assistance programs that might meet your business needs.

Disaster Preparedness and Response Training Course

Center for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC)

This course has three modules and a final comprehensive capstone activity where learners apply the knowledge and skills learned in the course. After completing all three modules, you will have a better understanding of the disaster-related rapid needs assessments and surveillance necessary to support responses to disasters and other public health emergencies.

Disaster Preparedness Course Catalog

National Disaster Preparedness Training Center (NDPTC)

The NDPTC is authorized to develop and deliver training and educational programs related to homeland security and disaster management, with a specific focus on natural hazards, coastal communities, and the special needs and opportunities of islands and territories.

Disaster Training

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross relies on volunteers to the help prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies and provides free disaster training for all volunteers. Trainings are both online and in-person depending on the course.

Emergency Preparedness Checklist

American Red Cross

This checklist that offers comprehensive guidance for individuals and families to plan ahead, assemble disaster supplies, create evacuation plans, and stay safe before, during, and after various types of natural and man-made disasters.

Emergency Preparedness Services, Kits, and Resources

Access Central Coast

This webpage from Access Central Coast (formerly named Independent Living Resource Center) provides resources for disaster and emergency preparedness, including an application for emergency preparedness services, information about public safety power shutoffs, and emergency preparedness planning. Access Central Coast also offers emergency kits and PPE.

Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program (EHCRP)

California Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI)

EHCRP provides grants to support local, regional, and tribal efforts to reduce the impact of extreme heat. The program funds projects such as creating extreme heat action plans, providing mechanical or natural shade, increasing building and surface reflectance, providing passive or low-energy cooling strategies, and promoting evaporative cooling.

Fire Hazard Severity Zones

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)

This tool uses a science-based and field-tested model to assign a hazard score based on the factors that influence fire likelihood and fire behavior (moderate, high, and very high). Many factors are considered such as fire history, existing and potential fuel (natural vegetation), predicted flame length, blowing embers, terrain, and typical fire weather for the area.

Food Distribution Sites in Santa Barbara County

The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County

This webpage provides a list of over 50 active food distribution sites across Santa Barbara County. Food distribution sites and organizations can serve as critical partners for emergency preparedness and response.

From Community Engagement to Ownership Framework

Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN)

This spectrum can be used by local governments and by non-profit organizations or community groups working to facilitate community participation in solutions development and decision-making.

Guidance on Identifying Key Stakeholders

Resilient NJ

This webpage walks users through forming a planning team by identifying and mapping a broad, diverse set of stakeholders. It emphasizes proactive engagement of underrepresented groups, including socially vulnerable communities, and guides planning teams on roles, outreach logistics, and inclusive participation considerations.

Guide to Developing Resilience Hubs

Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN)

This comprehensive guide offers a step‑by‑step framework for developing Resilience Hubs in communities. It covers planning, site selection, power options, community leadership, and equity considerations to support year‑round community services and disaster response, and is relevant to all modules in the Central Coast Community Resilience Hubs Toolkit.

Guide to Equitable Community-Driven Climate Preparedness Planning

Urban Sustainability Director's Network (USDN)

This guide is designed for local governments to embed racial and social equity into climate preparedness strategies, offering a seven‑step process from readiness through monitoring, and emphasizing inclusive community engagement, data-driven decision-making, and addressing root causes of vulnerability.

Heat Action Platform

Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center & Extreme Heat Resilience Alliance

The Heat Action Platform is a living, engagement-oriented tool for city officials, practitioners, and financial institutions to find guidance, both existing resources and tailor-made solutions, on reducing the human and economic impacts of extreme heat at the regional or municipal level.

Heat Resource Repository

Community Environmental Council

This document outlines resources for extreme heat including definitions of key terminology, health and safety guidance, regional alerts, cooling center information, and tools to help individuals and communities in the Central Coast prepare for, respond to, and recover from the growing threat of dangerous heat events.

In the Eye of the Storm: A People’s Guide to Transforming Crisis & Advancing Equity in the Disaster Continuum

NAACP

This resource provides guidance through the process of building equity into the four phases of emergency management: prevention and mitigation, preparedness and resilience building, response and relief, and recovery and redevelopment.

Listos

Fire Services Training Institute

Listos is a grass-roots disaster preparedness program that can be tailored to meet the individual needs of Spanish-speaking communities. Listos partners with community leaders, jurisdictions, non-profits, faith-based organizations, schools, and other community institutions to provide disaster preparedness information to the Spanish-speaking community.

Make a Plan for Disasters and Emergencies: People with Disabilities

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

This webpage offers practical guidance to help individuals with disabilities and their support networks prepare for emergencies, including personalized planning, accessible communication strategies, and tailored supply kits. It emphasizes inclusive preparedness to ensure safety, independence, and resilience during disasters.

MyHazards

California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES)

MyHazards is a tool for the general public to discover hazards in their area (earthquake, flood, fire, and tsunami) and learn steps to reduce personal risk.

Open Shelters Map

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross provides comprehensive information on finding open shelters and disaster recovery services, with free support available, such as food, shelter, health care, emotional aid, and recovery planning, for anyone affected by emergencies, regardless of background or needs.

Outreach Guide

Community Environmental Council

This outreach guide was developed specifically to support those interested in developing a Community Resilience Hub in creating an outreach plan and includes more information and specific methods on how to implement equitable outreach and engagement.

Outsmart Disaster Preparedness for Small Businesses

California Office of the Small Business Advocate

Outsmart Disaster serves as a one-stop guide to navigating the recovery process after a recent wildfire, flood, or other declared disaster in California. The webpage includes information on accessing financial assistance, filing insurance claims, and finding local and federal support.

Preparedness Guides: Individuals, Communities, Nonprofits, and Small Businesses

National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD)

Compiled resources from National VOAD related to disaster preparedness for individuals, communities and houses of workshop, nonprofits and faith-based organizations, and small businesses.

Ready Monterey County

County of Monterey, Department of Emergency Management

Ready Monterey County is the official County of Monterey Department of Emergency Management site, offering guidance on preparing for local hazards such as earthquakes, wildfires, landslides, tsunamis, and power outages, covering planning, evacuation zones, emergency kits, and alerts

Ready Ventura County

Ventura County Office of Emergency Services

Ready Ventura County serves as the official emergency preparedness portal for Ventura County, offering tools and guidance on building emergency kits, making family preparedness plans, staying informed via VC Alert, and engaging with community resilience initiatives. It also hosts links to the county’s Emergency Operations Plan, hazard‑specific resources (e.g. flood, fire), neighborhood readiness tips for people with special needs, businesses, pets, and seniors, plus county‑level training, notification systems, and recovery support resources.

Ready.gov

FEMA

Ready.gov provides information and resources to support disaster and emergency preparedness, including for flooding, thunderstorms and lightning, severe weather, home fires, wildfires, power outages, hurricanes, and more.

ReadySBC

County of Santa Barbara

ReadySBC is the official emergency management website for Santa Barbara County, providing residents with resources for emergency preparedness, real-time updates during disasters, recovery assistance, and the option to sign up for ReadySBC alerts to stay informed during emergencies.

ReadySLO

San Luis Obispo County Office of Emergency Services

The ReadySLO site is a comprehensive emergency preparedness hub for San Luis Obispo County, offering resources and tools for hazard planning, evacuation zone mapping, emergency alerts, and tailored guidance for families, schools, businesses, and individuals. It also connects to local support services like a Virtual Local Assistance Center for recovery and relief coordination.

Regional Resilience Toolkit

EPA

That Toolkit is designed as a structured step‑by‑step guide to facilitate coordinated resilience planning across jurisdictions. The Knowing the Community's Stakeholders section (PDF pg. 25-26) and Appendix A, Step 1: Engage (PDF pg. 108-125) are recommended to review for Module 1 to identify key stakeholders.

Resilience Funding Plan Matrix

Community Environmental Council

This matrix is designed to be completed as a group to allow team members to share their ideas, align on priorities, and set realistic expectations. The completed matrix will organize needed facility and site upgrades, emergency equipment and supplies, and community programs based on urgency and feasibility to identify immediate, near-term, and longer-term funding priorities.

Resilience Hub Interest Form

Community Environmental Council

If you are interested in developing or participating in a Community Resilience Hub, provide information on your organization, facilities, and needs to access support from the Community Environmental Council.

Resilient Power Project Toolkit

Clean Energy Group

This toolkit provides practical guidance, tools, and background resources, such as reports, technical guides, and webinars, to support equitable planning and deployment of solar‑plus‑storage (“resilient power”) systems in affordable housing and critical community facilities, especially within underserved and vulnerable communities.

Sample Facility Use Agreement

United Way of Northern Santa Barbara County & Isla Vista Community Services District

This sample facility use agreement between United Way of Northern Santa Barbara County and Isla Vista Community Services District for the use of a property to provide coordinated entry services to individuals experiencing homelessness.

Sample Facility Use Agreement

American Red Cross & City of Fresno

A sample facility use agreement between the American Red Cross and the City of Fresno for the use of a city-owned community center during disasters.

Sample Letter of Agreement

American Red Cross & County of Merced

This sample letter of agreement defines a formal partnership between the American Red Cross and County of Merced's lead Emergency Management Agency in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from emergencies and disasters.

Sample Role Descriptions Worksheet

Public Health Information Institute (PHII)

This workbook provides structured instructions for conducting a stakeholder analysis to support effective communication, engagement, and change management throughout a project. It includes worksheets and templates to identify stakeholders, assess their influence and interest, and tailor communication strategies accordingly.

San Benito County Office of Emergency Services Website

San Benito County Office of Emergency Services

The San Benito County Office of Emergency Services and Emergency Medical Services website provides information on emergency preparedness, disaster response plans, and public safety alerts. It also includes resources on emergency medical protocols, EMS provider training, emergency operations coordination, and links to local, state, and federal emergency guidance.

Santa Barbara County Community Emergency Response Training (CERT)

Santa Barbara County Fire Department

This program educates people in Santa Barbara county about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area, and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.

Santa Barbara County Energy Assurance Services

County of Santa Barbara

This program offers free assessment services in Santa Barbara county to help building owners identify opportunities that will make a difference to energy use and energy resilience. Energy Assurance Services (EAS) provides support with everything from surveying the risks of power loss to your operations to conducting technical assessments for solar and batteries.

Santa Cruz County Office of Response, Recovery & Resilience (OR3) Website

Santa Cruz County Office of Response, Recovery & Resilience (OR3)

The OR3 website provides residents with detailed information on planning, preparedness, emergency alerts, evacuation zones, and sandbag locations, while offering access to operational plans, public comment forms, recovery and resilience resources, and tools like the CruzAware notification system, the SAFER situational awareness app, and more.

Shelter in Place Supplies Check List

American Red Cross

When an emergency happens at your facility, one of the first decisions to make is whether to evacuate or shelter in place. If you need to shelter in place, it is important to have sufficient supplies and equipment on hand to support the needs of personnel and visitors for potentially long periods. Use this checklist to determine if you have the necessary supplies on hand and ready for use.

Shifting Power at the Table: A Virtual Learning Series

Community Economic Mobilization Initiative

Shifting Power at the Table is a virtual Learning Series designed to equip community-based organizations across the state with foundational skills, knowledge, and frameworks to advance racial equity in cross-sector planning processes and shape climate-resilient, equitable workforce and economic development in their regions.

Stakeholder Identification Worksheet

Resilient NJ

This worksheet guides users through the process of identifying and engaging a diverse range of stakeholders, especially socially vulnerable populations, in resilience and adaptation planning. It emphasizes equity, inclusion, and proactive outreach to ensure meaningful participation from underrepresented groups in hazard mitigation efforts.

Toolkit for Memorandums of Understanding

Florida Certification Board

This toolkit provides step‑by‑step guidance on developing clear MOUs, including roles, responsibilities, timelines, compliance, and risk sharing, to support collaboration across agencies. It offers general information, questions to consider, and examples that can be used when developing an MOU.

What Is a Resilience Hub?

Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN)

This video provides an overview of Resilience Hubs, including what resilience is, why it's important, what Resilience Hubs are, and the five foundational areas and three modes of Hubs. The video concludes with information on how to get started.

Wireless Emergency Alerts

California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES)

Sign up to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) to your phone and email for the county(ies) you reside in and work in.

What’s missing in this Resource Library?

4C remains committed to maintaining this Resource Library to ensure Central Coast leaders and organizations have ongoing access to up-to-date, regionally relevant resources to support the development and implementation of Community Resilience Hubs. We invite you to reach out to us if you have suggestions for additional resources to feature.

Community Resilience Hubs Resource Library

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