The process of developing and implementing emergency response plans for States, Tribes, and child welfare agencies is complex. The resources on these pages are intended to help States and jurisdictions in developing comprehensive disaster preparedness plans and responding to emergencies quickly and effectively to protect children and families. The resources are organized by preparedness (before a disaster), response (the immediate aftermath), and recovery (the longer term reconstruction/healing phase).
Children and Disasters
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Offers resources to address children’s needs throughout preparedness planning, response, and recovery efforts during and following a disaster.
Children and Disasters
American Academy of Pediatrics
Provides audience-specific information and tools to equip families to respond to natural and man-made disasters.
Caring for Children in a Disaster
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2016)
Provides information and resources to help families and service-providers prepare and respond to disasters.
| Series Title | Factsheets |
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability | View Download (PDF - 532KB) Order (Free) |
| Year Published | 2016 |
National Disasters
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Provides information and resources to help families in cases of natural disasters, such as earthquakes, epidemics, fires, floods, hurricanes, and more. The webpage also offers resources to help mitigate the psychological effects these events may have.
Disaster Technical Assistance Center
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (2017)
Supports SAMHSA's efforts to prepare states, territories, and local entities to deliver an effective mental health and substance use (behavioral health) response during disasters.
Public Health Emergency
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2017)
Provides information and resources on natural and manmade disasters and traumatic events for families and individuals; business; practitioners, clinicians, and responders; and federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial emergency planners.