Disaster Preparation and Response Panel

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Disaster Preparation and Response Panel
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Topics

• Save the Children Overview
• U.S. Emergency Program Summary
• Federal Advocacy

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Save the Children Overview
Save the Children Overview
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Save the Children 75 Years Serving Children

• Independent, non-sectarian non-profit
• Focus Improving childrens health, education and
  well-being
• U.S. and international
• Part of the International Save the Children
  Alliance
• 28 organizations at work in 110 countries

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Save the Children U.S. Programs

• In the U.S. since 1932
• Long-term programs
• Poor rural communities in the southeast and west
• Literacy, nutrition/obesity prevention and early
  childhood programs
• Emergency programs
• Local, state and national level
• Preparedness and response/recovery work

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Domestic Emergencies Unit (DEU)

• Mission
• Safeguard US children before, during, after
  emergencies
• Methods
• Partnerships
• Advocacy
• Programs preparedness and response/recovery
• National VOAD member
• FEMA National Advisory Council member

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U.S. Emergencies Program
U.S. Emergency Program Details
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Save the Children and Disasters

• International emergencies unit founded over 20
  years ago
• Domestic Emergencies Unit (DEU) founded after
  Hurricane Katrina

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Current Status Emergency Preparedness for
Children

• Unique needs children differ from adults
  physically, emotionally, socially
• Grouped with Special Needs
• In most states/communities
• Virtually no planning except for
  medically-dependent children
• Virtually no coordination with/planning by child
  care facilities
• Limited coordination with schools and child care
  facilities

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DEU Programs Preparedness

• American Red Cross/Childrens Disaster Services
  Partnership
• Planning
• Children in Emergencies Planning Guide
  savethechildren.org/usemergency
• Child care facility planning
• Disaster Preparedness Workshops for children
• Community Emergency Prep Pilot
• Legislation
• National Commission on Children in Disasters
• Emergency Child Care Services Act

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DEU Programs Response

• Safe Spaces Program
• Designated areas for children with
  supervision/structured activities
• Shelters and aid centers
• Used in
• Katrina
• California
• Smaller-scale events

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Safe Space Partnerships

• American Red Cross
• Church of the Brethren

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DEU ProgramsRecovery

• Psychosocial
• Menu of programs for children and caregivers
• Recovery and resilience components
• Protection
• Restoring services for children
• Schools, out-of-school, child care facilities,
  playgrounds
• Building community in temporary housing

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DEU Programs Disaster Operations

• Catastrophic Hurricane Katrina
• 3 states, opened office, 2.5 years limited
  continuing programming
• Served 190,000 children and caregivers
• Major Southern California Wildfires
• Targeted coverage, temporary response team
  deployed, 8 weeks
• Served 12,000 children and caregivers
• Limited Various 2007 responses
• Assisted partners to implement Safe Spaces
• Provided short-term on-site support in New Jersey
  floods, April 2007

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DEU Programs Future Goals

• Continue to roll out Safe Spaces Program
• Continue to respond to large incidents
• Planning
• Integrate children into all the state, tribe and
  local emergency plans (including 0-5)
• Work with large cities to support integration
• Encourage local planners to incorporate child
  care facilities

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U.S. Emergencies Program
Federal Advocacy
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Federal Advocacy National Commission on
Children and Disasters

• Conduct a comprehensive study to examine and
  assess the needs of children as they relate to
  preparing for response to and recovery from
  disasters and emergencies.
• Build upon investigations of other entities and
  avoid unnecessary duplication by reviewing
  findings, conclusions and recommendations of
  other commissions, Federal and State, and local
  governments or nongovernmental entities
• Report to the President and Congress on its
  findings, conclusions and recommendations.

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Federal Advocacy National Commission on
Children and Disasters

• Childrens physical, mental health and trauma
• Child care in all settings
• Child welfare
• Elementary and secondary education
• Sheltering and affordable housing and temporary
  housing
• Transportation
• Juvenile justice
• Relevant activities in emergency management and
  evacuation

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Federal Advocacy National Commission on
Children and Disasters

• Timeframe of Commission
• Final Report issued no later than 2 years after
  first meeting

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Federal Advocacy H.R. 2479, the Emergency Child
Care Services Act

• HR 2479 A bill to amend the Robert T. Stafford
  Relief and Emergency Assistance Act relating to
  emergency child care services, and other purposes
• Introduced last year by Rep. Bennie Thompson
  (D-MS)

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Federal Advocacy H.R. 2479, the Emergency Child
Care Services Act

• To amend the Stafford Act so that funds can be
  allocated to states for families to access for
  emergency child care services
• Definition of emergency child care training,
  supervision, recreation, and other services
  provided for children, in the event of an act of
  terrorism, major disaster, or other emergency, by
  a private nonprofit facility licensed by a State
  to provide such services.

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Federal Advocacy H.R. 2479, the Emergency Child
Care Services Act

• Status
• Referred to the House Committee on Transportation
  and Infrastructure

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Contact Information

• Ashley Musselman
• Manager, Federal Public Policy Advocacy
• [phone]
• amusselman_at_savechildren.org
• www.savethechildren.org/usemergency