Preparing for disasters involves creating plans, preparing to manage during a disaster, and enhancing critical infrastructure prior to a disaster. In this section find Federal and State resources for both professionals and families to prepare for disasters–both natural (e.g., hurricanes, floods, fires) and human created (e.g., terrorism) disasters, including examples of State disaster plans.
Child Welfare: Federal Action Needed to Make Sure States Have Plans to Safeguard Children in the Child Welfare System Displaced by Disasters (PDF - 886 KB)
U.S. Government Accountability Office (2006)
Addresses State child welfare disaster planning with specific information on (1) the number of States that have statewide child welfare disaster plans and the primary components of those plans; (2) the extent to which States that experienced federally declared disasters in 2005 also had child welfare disaster plans; and (3) how the Department of Health and Human Services supports States' efforts to develop child welfare disaster plans.
| Series Title | Factsheets |
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability | View Download (PDF - 532KB) Order (Free) |
| Year Published | 2016 |
Coping With Disasters and Strengthening Systems: A Framework for Child Welfare Agencies (PDF 1,032 KB)
National Child Welfare Resource Center for Organizational Improvement (2007)
Helps managers consider strategies to cope with disasters and highlights how taking these steps can improve systems for serving children and families.
Gulf Coast Hurricanes: Lessons Learned for Protecting and Educating Children After the Gulf Coast Hurricanes (PDF - 535 KB)
U.S. Government Accountability Office (2006)
Provides information on the challenges encountered and lessons learned from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita about locating missing children, locating and serving Louisiana's displaced foster children, reopening K-12 schools, and educating displaced school-aged children.
Hurricane Katrina: Providing Oversight of the Nation's Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Activities (PDF - 259 KB)
U.S. Government Accountability Office (2005)
Highlights some of GAO's previous work on challenges faced by government preparedness, response, and recovery programs related to Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters.