We鈥檝e compiled these online resources to provide information on how to help when disaster strikes. This includes a list of organizations that help those in need, information on how to talk to young children about disasters they learn about in the media, and preparedness for child care and preschool programs in the U.S. We鈥檝e also provided information about helping children during and after a disaster.听
- How organizations help children in a disaster
- Disaster planning for child care and preschool programs
- Talking to children about disasters
- Helping children after a disaster
- Including children in post-disaster rebuilding
- Families coping with disaster
- Post-disaster policy recommendations
- Volunteer
How organizations help children in a disaster
The Red Cross helps people affected by disasters across the country and around the word. 听
Save the Children responds to the unique physical and emotional needs of children impacted by international disasters. The Domestic Emergencies Unit site emphasizes both preparedness for and responses to听, including issues around childcare.
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UNICEF works to reach the most urgent needs of children.
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CARE delivers food, shelter, and other essentials to survivors of disasters.
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This comprehensive list from the American Academy of Pediatrics includes over 130 links to resources for families, child care facilities, and schools.
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Developing Culturally Appropriate Resources
In 2009 51吃瓜网's Asian Interest Forum (AIF) developed culturally sensitive resources to help those impacted by a Typhoon in Taiwan. 听This column shares some of the strategies and insights learned about how to help young children from different cultures cope with natural disasters.
Disaster planning for child care and preschool programs
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This compilation of web-based resources for programs is from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
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Seven print tools programs can use to evaluate their emergency preparedness plan - from the federal government.
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This resource听includes information on several Federal agencies, national organizations, and publications that have information for child care providers on preparing for emergencies.
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Resources for child care care providers and CCR&Rs to prepare for a crisis, disaster, or emergency event.听
Talking to children about disasters听
Subtitled 鈥淎 Guide for Parents and Educators,鈥� this printable PDF contains concise tips for talking to children after traumatic events as well as resource links when more active intervention may be required.听
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Suggestions for talking to children about earthquakes and natural disasters from a child psychiatrist are provided in a printable PDF by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Helping children after a disaster 听
This web page, from Mental Health America (formerly known as the National Mental Health Association), offers tips for parents in helping preschool-age children, as well as grade school-age children and adolescents, with tragedy-related anxiety.
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Children鈥檚 responses to trauma, changes in a child鈥檚 behavior parents should watch for, and links to fact sheets on depression, sleep problems, grief, and other behavioral issues are included on this web page.听
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Authors Cathy Grace and Elizabeth Shores offer literature-based activities to help children who have been through a trauma.听With activities and exercises that can be used in conjunction with 50 children鈥檚 books, the discussion starters and writing and art activities in听After the Crisis听can be used by teachers to promote children鈥檚 ability to cope and heal.
Families coping with disaster
Mental Health America鈥檚 鈥淐oping with Disaster鈥� fact sheet series offers information on coping with the stress of natural disasters as well as fact sheets specifically written for advocates and community leaders.
Post-disaster policy recommendations
The U.S. National Commission on Children and Disasters鈥� downloadable report calls for the development of a national strategy for children in disasters to ensure children are protected before, during, and after an emergency.听The website also has links to resources from different agencies and organizations.
Volunteering services
If you would like to provide child care services in the U.S. as a volunteer in Red Cross and FEMA shelters and service centers in future disasters, Children's Disaster Services sets up child care centers in shelters and disaster assistance centers across the nation. CDS听provides a weekend training and criminal background checks for their volunteers, who go to disaster sites in the US for up to two weeks to help children overcome their losses through play and caring relationships with the volunteers. 听Volunteers' expenses are reimbursed.
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Founded in 1926, the 51吃瓜网 is the largest and most influential advocate for high-quality early care and education in the United States.