STTRONG Grant Resources for Unit Leaders

Thirty-three awardees in states and jurisdictions across the country received a total of $50 million under the MRC State, Territory and Tribal Nations, Representative Organizations for Next Generation (MRC-STTRONG) grant program.

In MA, the goal of the STTRONG project is to improve the readiness of MRCs to support public health emergencies through providing volunteers with appropriate skills and knowledge, while enhancing unit resources. Objectives include:

1. to build a collaborative and standardized statewide approach to training for both leaders and volunteers;

2. to identify and develop resources to support ongoing unit improvement and sustainability;

3. to lead statewide planning initiatives to better support local unit to fulfill community needs specific to the utilization of volunteers.

Training Resources

• MA MRC Training Plan - includes recommendations on standardized training for MRC volunteers

  • Developing A Unit Training Plan - a guide to help unit leaders in developing a training plan for their unit

  • Customizable Training Requirements Template - a template that each unit can use to develop their own required training requirements

  • Sample Training Schedule & Template - a sample training schedule that can be adapted for the overall training plan

• Essential Elements: MA MRC 101 - this course introduces the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) program, its mission, core competencies, and the role of local MRCs within Massachusetts, including the volunteer registration process, program recommendations and requirements, along with introducing the statewide volunteer database

• Digital Psychological First Aid (PFA) - The 4-hour online course provides volunteers access to self-guided online modules, activities, and additional materials, teaching about trauma, grief, and the 8 core actions of Psychological First Aid. Additionally, volunteers have access to monthly live virtual practice sessions through the duration of the agreement. These live sessions are designed to reinforce learned skills, introduce new potential scenarios, and ensure team readiness to respond to crises. The course remains available until November 2026 or until licenses run out. For access questions, please email massachusettsmrc@gmail.com   

• Spring 2025 Introduction to PFA Regional Sessions - In May 2025, five sessions were offered to MRC leaders and volunteers across the state. Sessions provided practical information for attendees to help meet the immediate needs of individuals impacted by a traumatic event. Attendees received an overview of the impact traumatic events have on an individual and specific techniques on how to work with individuals impacted by an event. Emphasis was placed on the 8 core components of Psychological First Aid.

• MA Responds Orientation Course

  • This course serves as an introduction to the volunteer database, MA Responds, which is used to pre-identify and pre-credential volunteers interested in supporting public health emergencies. Intended for medical and non-medical volunteers, the course provides an overview of how to prepare for and respond to a wide range of hazards. Whether supporting a vaccination clinic, helping at a shelter, or assisting with emergency communications, volunteers strengthen Massachusetts’ ability to prepare for and respond to health threats.

  • This course is intended to complement the Essential Elements: MA MRC 101 and additional training volunteers receive through their local Medical Reserve Corps Unit (MRC), the Massachusetts Volunteer Program for Public Health (MVP), and other courses recommended by volunteer coordinators and training provided on-site when participating in an actual deployment or exercise.

Guides & Toolkits

• MRC Guidance Toolkit - this toolkit was designed to support MRC unit leaders, coordinators, and volunteers with practical, ready-to-use resources, including volunteer management best practices and resources, deployment checklist training resource, volunteer plan, translation services guidance, outreach and partner recommendations, and recruitment flyers

• MRC Outreach & Marketing Guide - includes best practices and ready-to-use tips for email recruitment and newsletters, print collateral, and social media

Visit the Documents page for many more resources.