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Emergency Preparedness for Child Care Programs

The following is a sample of Federal agencies, national organizations, and publications that have information for child care providers about preparing for emergencies. Related resources for parents, child care providers, and schools are also included.

Federal Agencies and Federally Funded Projects

• Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
  Washington, DC 20528
  202-282-8000 (Citizen Line)
  World Wide Web: 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 the important issue of 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. The Web page is available at www.dhs.gov/xprepresp/resources/editorial_0306.shtm.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
  500 C Street SW
  Washington, DC 20472
  202-566-1600
  World Wide Web: http://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 lead the effort 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. It has the following resources related to emergency preparedness for child care programs.

  • FEMA’s Web site provides information about actions families can take to prepare for emergencies in the Plan Ahead section, including the following:
    
    • Are You Ready? An In-Depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness;
    • Prepare for hazards;
    • Protect your family and property; and
    • Prevent disaster losses.

  These resources are available on the Web at www.fema.gov/plan/index.shtm.

  • 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. This resource is available on the Web at www.fema.gov/kids.
  • The resources for Parents and Teachers Web site includes lecture materials, suggested classroom exercises, and sources of more information in support of World Disaster Reduction Day, which is celebrated in October 14 both in this country and around the world. This resource is available on the Web at www.fema.gov/kids/98wd.htm.
  • The Emergency Management Guide for Business & Industry (1993) is a step-by-step approach to emergency planning, response, and recovery for companies of all sizes. This resource is available on the Web at www.fema.gov/pdf/library/bizindst.pdf.
• National Child Care Information Center (NCCIC)
  Child Care Bureau, Office of Family Assistance
  Administration for Children and Families
  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  800-616-2242
  http://nccic.acf.hhs.gov

  NCCIC, a service of the Child Care Bureau, Office of Family Assistance, is a national clearinghouse and technical assistance center that links parents, providers, policy-makers, researchers, and the public to early care and education information. To assist States and communities, the NCCIC Child Care Resources for Disasters and Emergencies Web site brings together information and key resources about emergency preparedness, disaster response, and recovery that relate specifically to child care. Links to general emergency preparedness resources provide disaster-specific information in the event of an emergency. This resource is available on the Web at http://nccic.acf.hhs.gov/emergency/.

National Disaster Preparedness Organizations

• American Red Cross National Headquarters
  Washington, DC 20006
  202-303-4498
  Disaster Assistance Information: 866-GET-INFO (866-438-4636)
  World Wide Web: www.redcross.org/

  The American Red Cross developed one-page lists recommended actions from the Homeland Security Advisory System for individuals, families, schools, businesses, and neighborhoods to take for each of the color-coded alert levels. These recommendations are available on the Web at www.redcross.org/article/0,1072,0_1_1418,00.html.

• Center for Public Health and Disasters (CPHD)
  University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
  Los Angeles, CA 90024
  310-794-0864
  World Wide Web: www.cphd.ucla.edu/

  CPHD was established in 1997 to address the critical issues that arise when a disaster impacts a community. It has an extensive curriculum focusing on emergency and disaster public health, which is offered through the departments of Community Health Sciences and Epidemiology in the UCLA School of Public Health and community partners through UCLA Extension. CPHD has developed the following workbook:

  • Head Start Disaster Preparedness Workbook (January 2004) is designed to help Head Start programs prepare for and respond to disasters and other emergencies. It is based on numerous assessment activities that were undertaken to obtain information directly from Head Start personnel regarding their disaster preparedness and planning needs. The results of these assessments were then used as the basis for creating a workbook designed to guide Head Start programs through the development and implementation of comprehensive disaster plans. The workbook is available on the Web at www.cphd.ucla.edu/headstart.html.
• Disaster Resources
  University of Illinois Extension
  World Wide Web: www.ag.uiuc.edu/~disaster

  Disaster Resources provides access to information about disaster preparedness and recovery. Its Web site includes links to disaster agencies, organizations, and information networks. The topics covered include the following

  • Preparing for disasters;
  • Responding to disasters;
  • Receiving help after disasters;
  • Helping disaster victims; and
  • Resources for educators.

Publications for Child Care Providers

• How To Write a Disaster Plan For Family Child Care (2004), by BANANAS, provides information about writing disaster plans for family child care. The plan describes steps adults and children should take in an emergency like a fire or earthquake. The plan suggests that emergency cards with important contact phone numbers be made for every child in care. Fire safety and earthquake safety plans are outlined. This resource is available on the Web at www.bananasinc.org/uploads/1080333354.pdf.

• Ready to Respond Emergency Preparedness Plan for Early Care and Education Centers (2003), by Bright Horizons Family Solutions, covers the following:

  • Evacuation procedures and process;
  • Sheltering/Sheltering in place;
  • Medical emergencies;
  • Natural disasters, including hurricanes, tornados, and severe storms;
  • Utility disruption;
  • Fire/Smoke emergencies;
  • Hazardous materials;
  • Bomb threat and suspicious articles;
  • Potentially violent situations and random acts of violence;
  • Disgruntled impaired parents/guardians or parent’s/guardian’s authorized representatives;
  • Hostage situations; and
  • Missing children.

  This resource is available on the Web at www.brighthorizons.com/talktochildren/docs/emergency_plan.doc. Additional resources by Bright Horizons are available on the Web at www.brighthorizons.com/talktochildren/.

• Planning for Disasters in Child Care (January 2003), by the Massachusetts Office of Child Care Services, Northeast Region, describes the steps needed for writing disaster plans for child care programs. This resource is available on the Web at http://nccic.acf.hhs.gov/pubs/emerdisa.pdf.

• Child Care: Emergency Management Plan (December 2001), prepared by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and the Office of Child Care Services, is designed to assist staff in responding to emergency situations, provide information to family members concerning emergency planning, and provide a basis for restoration of services. This plan contains emergency response information for natural hazards, technological hazards, and personal safety. This resource is available on the Web at http://nccic.acf.hhs.gov/pubs/emergenc.html.

• Emergency Preparedness: Planning for Child and Adult Care Programs (2001), by Judy Collins and Jim Loving, published by the National Association for Regulatory Administration, is a PowerPoint presentation for regulated child and adult care programs and regulatory agencies about emergency preparedness for disasters. This resource is available on the Web at http://nccic.acf.hhs.gov/emergency/emprep.pdf.

• Disaster Planning: Self Assessment Guide for Child Care Centers and Family Child Care Homes (October 1999), by the California Department of Social Services, can serve as a planning tool for family child care homes and child care centers. It provides basic disaster preparedness and emergency planning information that can be customized to fit the size and population of any facility. This resource is available on the Web at http://ccld.ca.gov/Res%5Cpdf%5CDisasterGuideforHomesCenters.pdf

• Emergency & Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Issues for Family Child Care Homes and Child Care Centers (December 1996), by the Public Counsel Law Center, gives child care providers and nonprofit child care centers basic information about disaster preparedness and recovery issues. This pamphlet includess existing California State laws, which outline emergency and disaster related requirements for licensed child care facilities. It also explores the rights and responsibilities of child care providers regarding disaster preparedness and recovery efforts. This resource is available on the Web at www.publiccounsel.org/publications/edp.pdf. It is also available in Spanish [Preparacíon en caso de emergencia y asuntos de recuperacípara guarderías domesticas de cuidados infantiles y centros de cuidados infantiles] at www.publiccounsel.org/publications/edpspan.pdf.

• Taking Charge: A Disaster Preparedness Guide for Child Care and Development Centers (1996), by the California Department of Education (CDE) Press, provides training for child care providers about how to prevent, prepare, manage, and recover from emergency and crisis situations. There are checklists and other resources to help providers prepare for a disaster, such as the companion video, Taking Charge: Preparing for Disaster, which is available in English and Spanish. For additional information, call CDE Press at 800-995-4099 or visit the Web at www.cde.ca.gov/re/pn/rc/ap/pubcat.aspx.

• Disaster Preparedness Planning Manual for Day Care Centers (1994), by Nicole L. Child, published by Normandy Books, is a step-by-step guide that can aid staff in assessing hazards and help them prepare a disaster response plan. It can also be used as a family guide for assessing hazards in the home and for preparing a family emergency response plan. The manual includes the following:

  • Emergency drills;
  • A guide for assessing hazards;
  • Sample forms, including a sample Emergency Preparedness Plan;
  • Ways to deal with children’s fears and anxieties;
  • Hypothetical scenarios for discussion;
  • A Food Storage Table and Emergency Supply Inventory; and
  • Ways to identify alternative sites for the relocation and release of children in an emergency.

  For additional information, contact Normandy Books at 408-266-4807 or visit the Web at www.normandybooks.com/public_html/disastermanual.htm.

State Emergency Preparedness Publications

California

• Disaster Planning: Self-Assessment Guide for Child Care Centers and Family Child Care Homes, by the Community Care Licensing Division, California Department of Social Services, is available at http://ccld.ca.gov/Res%5Cpdf%5CDisasterGuideforHomesCenters.pdf.

Iowa

• Emergency Response Planning Guide for Iowa Child Care, by Healthy Child Care Iowa, is available at www.idph.state.ia.us/hcci/common/pdf/emergency_planning_guide.pdf.

Massachusetts

• The Massachusetts Department of Early Learning and Care has developed a brief guide to assist family child care providers in meeting the requirements for a written emergency procedures plan. Family Child Care Technical Assistance: Emergency Preparedness is available on the Web at www.eec.state.ma.us/docs/TAEmergencyPlanning.pdf.

North Carolina

• The Emergency Preparedness Web page for providers on the North Carolina Division of Child Development Web site at http://ncchildcare.dhhs.state.nc.us/providers/pv_emergency.asp provides an extensive listing of resources, including the following documents:

  • Emergency Plan Template for Child Care Providers at http://ncchildcare.dhhs.state.nc.us/pdf_forms/evacuation_childcare_providers.pdf .
  • Emergency Preparedness Tips for Child Care Providers at http://ncchildcare.dhhs.state.nc.us/pdf_forms/emrtips.pdf.
  • Security Awareness Tips for Child Care Providers at http://ncchildcare.dhhs.state.nc.us/pdf_forms/sectips.pdf.

Virginia

• It Pays to Prepare! An Emergency Preparedness Guide for Child Care Providers, by the Virginia Department of Health, Division of Child and Adolescent Health, Healthy Child Care Virginia, is available at http://nrc.uchsc.edu/RESOURCES/VAEmergencyPreparBro.pdf.

Related Publications

• The Helping Children Cope with Terrorism and War (May 2006) document under the Child Development topic in the Popular Topics section of NCCIC’s Web site at http://nccic.acf.hhs.gov/poptopics/cope.html provides information about organizations that have resources that may be useful to parents, caregivers, and administrators as they help children and youth deal with stress related to war.

• Family Readiness Kit: Preparing to Handle Disasters (2001), by the American Academy of Pediatrics, is for parents to use at home to help prepare for most kinds of disasters. There are four different areas in the booklet:

  • “Understanding Disasters” has information about different types of disasters and simple steps to prepare for them;
  • “Families As the First Resource for Preparation, Protection, and Recovery” covers ways to create a family disaster plan;
  • “Meeting Your Neighborhood Disaster Ready” has strategies to help build neighborhood cooperation in times of impending disaster; and
  • “Community and National Resources” lists phone numbers and addresses of national and local organizations with more ideas about what to do in case of a disaster.

  This resource is available on the Web at www.aap.org/family/frk/frkit.htm.

• Protecting Our Kids From Disasters: Nonstructural Mitigation for Child Care Centers (1999), by the Institute for Business and Home Safety, is a guide for volunteers in local communities to help prepare child care centers in their area for a natural disaster. The guide includes checklists, sample media advisories, and tips for parents. This resource is available on the Web at www.ibhs.org/docs/childcare.pdf.

• Early Warning, Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools (August 1998), published by the U.S. Department of Education, offers research-based practices designed to assist school communities in identifying early warning signs and developing prevention, intervention, and crisis response plans. The guide includes sections on the following:

  • Characteristics of schools that are safe and responsive to all children;
  • Early warning signs;
  • Getting help for troubled children;
  • Developing a prevention and response plan;
  • Responding to crisis;
  • Resources; and
  • Methodology, contributors, and research support.

  This resource is available on the Web at http://cecp.air.org/guide/default.asp.

Updated July 2007