Emergency Preparedness Resources for Child Care Programs

Publication Date: September 13, 2012
Current as of:

The following is a sample of Federal agencies, national organizations, and publications that have information for child care providers about emergency preparedness and disaster response. OCC does not endorse any non-Federal organization, publication, or resource.

Federal Agencies and Federally Funded Projects

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
800-232-4636
www.cdc.gov

CDC is the agency responsible for developing and applying disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and education activities for the country. Information and resources about responding to many types of emergencies are available on the Emergency Preparedness and Response page of the CDC’s Web site at http://emergency.cdc.gov/ .

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

202-282-8000 (citizen line)
www.dhs.gov/index.shtm

DHS has responsibility for ensuring that emergency response professionals are prepared in the event of a terrorist attack, natural disaster, or other large-scale emergency. This entails providing a coordinated, comprehensive Federal response to any large-scale crisis and mounting a swift and effective recovery effort. DHS also prioritizes citizen preparedness. Special attention is given to educating America’s families about how best to prepare their homes for a disaster and how to respond in a crisis.

The State Homeland Security and Emergency Services Web page lists agencies in each State that work with local government emergency managers, other State agencies, voluntary organizations, and Federal agencies to ensure comprehensive, efficient, and effective responses to emergencies and disasters. This information is available at www.dhs.gov/state-homeland-security-and-emergency-services .

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

202-566-1600
800-621-3362 (disaster assistance)
www.fema.gov

FEMA is a former independent agency that became part of DHS in March 2003. Since its founding in 1979, FEMA’s mission is to prepare the Nation for all hazards and effectively manage Federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA provides a comprehensive, risk-based, emergency management program through mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. 

  • FEMA works with other federal partners to support Ready.gov , a national campaign designed to educate and empower the American people to prepare for, respond to and mitigate emergencies, including natural and man-made disasters. Ready and its Spanish language version Listo ask individuals to do four key things: (1) stay informed about the different types of emergencies that could occur and their appropriate responses (2) make a family emergency plan and (3)  build an emergency supply kit, and (4) get involved in your community by taking action to prepare for emergencies.

    These resources are available at Ready.gov

  • The FEMA for Kids Web site gives activity ideas for children to learn about disasters, provides resources for further study, and offers activity ideas for parents and teachers. http://www.ready.gov/kids
  • The Resources for Parents and Teachers Web site includes lecture materials, suggested classroom exercises, and sources for more information in support of World Disaster Reduction Day, which is celebrated on October 14 both in this country and around the world.

National Commission on Children and Disasters

202-205-9565
https://archive.ahrq.gov/prep/nccdreport/

In an effort to create a coordinated response to the needs of children in disaster recovery, the U.S. Congress created the National Commission on Children and Disasters, which made recommendations to Congress and the President about how to provide comprehensive services to children and families who are victims of disasters. National Commission on Children and Disasters: 2010 Report to the President and Congress (October 2010), includes recommendations about preparing the child care sector to respond to the needs of children, families, and providers.

The report includes the following recommendations with regard to child care and addresses them in detail:

  • Recommendation 6.1: Congress and HHS should improve disaster preparedness capabilities for child care.
  • Recommendation 6.2: Congress and Federal agencies should improve capacity to provide child care services in the immediate aftermath of and recovery from a disaster.
  • Recommendation 6.3: HHS should require disaster preparedness capabilities for Head Start Centers and basic disaster mental health training for staff.

The full report is available on the Commission’s Web site at http://cybercemetery.unt.edu/archive/nccd/20110427002908/http:/www.ch... .

Office of Child Care

Administration for Children and Families
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
/programs/occ

Office of Head Start: Emergency Preparedness

The Office Of Head Start website has information on preparing for emergencies. Some Tip Sheets may also be helpful for child care providers.
 

Head Start Emergency Preparedness Manual

This website houses the Head Start Emergency Preparedness Manual (currently the 2015 version).
This resource can be found at: https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/head-start-emer...  (PDF)

Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness & Response (OHSEPR) Main Page

OHSEPR is the lead office within ACF that provides leadership in human services emergency preparedness and response while promoting self-sufficiency of individuals, families, and special needs populations prior to, during, and after disasters. OHSEPR helps to promote emergency planning and increase response capacity among States, Tribes and Territories, specifically related to the programs and populations served by ACF.
This resource can be found at: /ohsepr

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide (PAPPG) April/2017: The FEMA Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide (PAPPG) is the official policy guide for the public assistance program. The requirements in the PAPPG applies to all emergencies and major disasters declared on or after April 1, 2017. The PAPG guidance outlines certain child care services that are eligible for reimbursement under the Category B, emergency protective measures provision of the FEMA Public Assistance program. The PAPG policy guide identifies certain types of child care services that are eligible reimbursable costs associated with the provision of child care services during federally declared major disasters and emergencies.
This resource can be found at: https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/111781 .  

FEMA: Individuals and Households Program Unified Guidance (IHPUG) (September 2016)

The Individuals and Households Program Unified Guidance (IHPUG) provides information about FEMA Individuals and Households Program (IHP), which reimburse child care services to individuals or families who have been affected by federally declared major disasters or emergency situations. IHP is designed to help families with critical child care expenses that cannot be covered in other ways. The Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013 (P.L.113-2), authorized FEMA to provide child care assistance under the Other Needs Assistance (ONA) provisions of the IHP.
This resource can be found at: https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/124228

Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Assistance Loan program: Small Business Administration (SBA)  

The Disaster Assistance Loan program provides low-interest loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and most private non-profit organizations to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, inventory, and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster. Lead Agencies could assist child care providers in applying for and accessing these loans for rebuilding proposes.

This resource can be found at: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/

National Organizations

American Red Cross National Headquarters

202-303-4498
Disaster assistance information: 866-GET-INFO (866-438-4636)
www.redcross.org/

The American Red Cross is a great source of information for people, families, schools, and child care provides looking for recommendations on what to do before, during, and after all kinds of emergencies. These recommendations are available at https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/type... .

Center for Public Health and Disasters (CPHD)

University of California, Los Angeles
310-794-0864
http://www.cphd.ucla.edu/

CPHD was established in 1997 to address the critical issues that arise when a disaster impacts a community. It provides extensive information focusing on emergency and disaster and public health. CPHD offers resources for hazard risk assessment, incident action planning, and pandemic flu preparedness. These resources are available at https://cphd.ph.ucla.edu/ .

American Academy of Pediatrics: Child Care Providers

This web page provides specific guidance for early child care and education programs to better prepare. This site includes resources training sessions, use of print materials, and access to downloadable or interactive Web-based tools.
This resource can be found at: https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/...

Child Care Aware of America

This website includes planning materials for resource and referral agencies and child care providers. Publications include: Protecting Children in Child Care During Emergencies: Recommended State and National Standards for Family Child Care Homes and Child Care Centers; Is Child Care Ready?: A Disaster-Planning Guide for Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies; Disaster Preparation: A Training for Child Care Centers; and Disaster Preparation: A Training for Family Child Care Providers.
These resources can be found at: www.childcareaware.org

The National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education: Caring for Our Children, 3rd Edition

This is a collection of 686 national standards that represent the best evidence, expertise, and experience in the country on quality health and safety practices and policies that should be followed in today's early care and education settings.
This resource can be found at: https://nrckids.org/CFOC

National Child and Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) Natural Disasters Main Page

This website contains guidance on working with children who have experienced trauma, as well as information on specific types of disasters and the impact those disasters can have on children and their families. This includes: Psychological First Aid Field Operations Guide; and the Learning Center for Child and Adolescent Trauma.
These resources can be found at: http://www.nctsn.org/trauma-types/natural-disasters

National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD)

A list of organizations active in disaster that can provide temporary disaster-relief support.
The list of organizations can be found at: https://www.nvoad.org/current-members/

Related Publications

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Contact Information
Topics:
Child Care
Audiences:
Tribes , States , Territories