Planning for Children Overview

The Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response (OHSEPR) is dedicated to provide visible leadership in disaster preparedness activities and planning for children in all settings recognized that children have unique considerations different than those of adults. As a result, OHSEPR has taken the lead in the development of the followings:

• Development of a comprehensive assessment of State plans for care of children without parents following a catastrophic disaster
• Identification of best practices and tactics to employ in disaster planning for children including: child care facilities, evacuation, unaccompanied minors, and children who may have lost parents in the catastrophic disaster
• In partnership with FEMA and NOAA, identify Pre-K schools for distribution of NOAA Public Alert radios for hazardous weather preparedness and education.

Related Links

• National Commission on Children and Disasters (NCCD):
  The Commission shall independently conduct a comprehensive study to examine and assess the needs of children as they relate to preparation for, response to, and recovery from all hazards, building upon the evaluations of other entities and avoiding unnecessary duplication by reviewing the findings, conclusions and recommendations of these entities. The Commission shall then submit a report to the President and Congress on the Commission's independent and specific findings, conclusions and recommendations to address the needs of children as they relate to preparation for, response to and recovery from all hazards, including major disasters and emergencies.
  


• Report a Missing Child:
  What Parents/Guardians should know about this important tools for law-enforcement to use in the recovery of a missing child.
  


• National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System (NEFRLS):
  The National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System is a tool when activated is designed for use when individuals or families are displaced due to a major disaster. If you are looking for information regarding a missing adult, please contact your local authorities for assistance.
  If you are reporting or looking for information on a missing child, please contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's Hotline at 1-800-THE- LOST (1-800-843-5678).
  Should you need to apply for disaster assistance, please call FEMA's Hotline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
  


• American Red Cross Safe and Well:
  If you have been affected by a disaster, this website provides a way for you to register yourself as “safe and well.” From a list of standard messages, you can select those that you want to communicate to your family members, letting them know of your well-being.


• Preventing the Spread of Influenza (the Flu) in Child Care Settings: Guidance for Administrators, Care Providers, and Other Staff
  
  
• Swine Flu: Information for Concerned Parents and Caregivers
  
  
• Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1) Information for Child Care Providers