Infants and Children in Emergency Planning: Best Practices April 26, 2011 Children and Emergencies Briefing

Overview State of Children in Texas National Progress for Children Best Practices and Success Stories Tips to Achieve Disaster Resilient Communities for Children

State of Children in Texas

Who is ACF? Administration for Children and Families provides funding for programs that promote the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals, and communities. Programs include: –Head Start –Child Care –Child Support –Child Welfare –Runaway and Homeless Youth

ACF’s Role in Emergency Preparedness and Response Lead within HHS for ESF-6 planning, response and recovery issues Promoting human services emergency planning Promoting inclusion of “special needs” Support long-term recovery Disaster Case Management Program

Framing the Topic In the U.S., children under 18 represent 25% of the total population There are an estimated 7,149,026 children under 18 years old in Texas 1.5 million or 24% of children under 18 are in poverty in Texas

Framing the Topic There were 71,111 children in Texas who were victims of maltreatment in 2007 – many in protective custody There were 30,127 children in Texas in foster care in 2007 Over 300,000 homeless children in Texas, many in large population centers For example, Houston area vulnerable to hurricanes – over 5,000 homeless children

Framing the Topic Vulnerable children and families are most likely to end up in mass care shelters Few resources and social networks Low socioeconomic status (SES) makes them more vulnerable to a variety of disaster consequences, particularly mental health issues

Children’s Unique Needs in Emergencies Children are not “little adults.” They have unique needs that must be addressed to ensure their safety and well-being:  Physical protection  Psychosocial protection  Cognitive protection

National Progress for Children

Final Report –Publications Includes Appendix E: “Supplies for Infants and Toddlers in Mass Care Shelters and Emergency Congregate Care Facilities” New: Background Check Guidance –Implement common standards and training, including standards for criminal background checks, to mitigate risks unique to children in shelters such as child abduction and sex offenders. New: Recommendations to Governors –Five Actions Governors Can Take Immediately To Improve Disaster Planning for Children National Commission on Children and Disasters

Federal Emergency Management Agency Children’s Working Group DHS 2010 HSGP Supplemental Resource: Children in Disasters Guidance Public Assistance for Child Care Services NEW: CPG 101, Version 2.0 NEW: Regional Disability Integration Specialists within the Office of Disability Integration and Coordination NEW: Typing of resources for Temporary Respite Care

Mass Care Standards & Indicators Disaster Shelter Care for Children –Children are sheltered with families –Essential items for infants are available –Private area provided for breastfeeding Temporary Respite Care for Children –Safe, secure environment –Responsive and equitable care –Minimum of two background checked adults present at all times National Voluntary Agencies Active in Disasters

Information Memorandum for Lead Child Care Agencies –Guidance on Public Assistance For Child Care Services Information Memorandum for Lead Child Care Agencies –Guidance to assist Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Lead Agencies in developing, exercising, and maintaining written child care emergency preparedness and response plans pursuant to submission of the CCDF Plan. Administration for Children and Families

Save the Children and NACCRRA (National Association for Resource and Referral Agencies) Protecting Children in Child Care During Emergencies –Recommended State and National Regulatory and Accreditation Standards for Family Child Care Homes and Child Care Centers Nearly two thirds of children under the age of 6 are routinely cared for by someone other than their working parent each day. Save the Children

Resilient and Ready Communities

Resilient and Ready Communities Initiative Save the Children Domestic Emergencies Unit outgrowth of Katrina National, State and Local focus on children in emergencies Background Piloted in Tulsa, OK from Operating in Houston, Costal Mississippi, and New Orleans Purpose Foster Disaster Resilient Communities for Children Integrate national guidance and best practices into local plans

Resilient and Ready Communities Initiative Key Program Components Advisory Councils Create a group of child-focused and emergency experts with decision making and budget authority to oversee and guide efforts addressing the needs of children in emergencies Community Meetings Pull together stakeholders to include representatives from emergency management, VOAD, childcare, schools, hospitals, juvenile justice, local nonprofits, etc. Leverage resources, build on community strengths, and identify gaps Working Groups Identify technical experts based on gap areas identified Provide technical assistance and guidance to strengthen community readiness for children Children’s Needs Coordinator Designate individual as children’s needs coordinator A Technical Specialist when the EOC is activated, and a partner for planning

Resilient and Ready Communities Initiative Texas Best Practices & Success Stories San Antonio Office of Emergency Management Children in Emergencies Working Group on Mass Care Integrated Children into Annex C Plan Houston Child Care Resource & Referral Agency Emergency Child Care Planning Council GIS Mapping Training for Child Care Providers in Emergency Preparedness

Resilient and Ready Communities Initiative California Best Practices & Success Stories Los Angeles Temporary Respite Care for Shelters American Red Cross and Loyola Marymount University Pre-positioned Materials San Diego Temporary Respite Care for Assistance Centers County of San Diego and Child Care Resource & Referral Agency Pre-positioned Materials San Jose Working Group on Unaccompanied Minors

Resilient and Ready Communities Initiative Additional Best Practices & Success Stories Costal Mississippi Children’s Needs Coordinator Seat in Hancock, Harrison, Jackson County EOC Connecticut ACF Child Care Planning Damage Assessment Process Mental Health Support for Child Care Providers New York City Emergency Preparedness Workshops for Children

Child-Focused Planning

Leave Today Committed to Children Determine demographics Know where the children are Get to know the children-centered programs in your community Identify the resources in your community Discuss concerns with programs that serve lower SES children

Leave Today Committed to Children Advisory Councils Convene key stakeholders to support and drive the process Children In Emergencies Meetings and Working Group Pull together stakeholders to include representatives from childcare, schools, hospitals, juvenile justice, local nonprofits, etc. Children’s Needs Coordinator Designate a children’s needs coordinator Training and Exercises Include the needs of children across emergency training and exercises Include Children in Funding Proposals

Questions? Comments? Administration for Children and Families Allen Applegate, MPH Regional Emergency Management Specialist Save the Children Kate Dischino Thank you!