After disasters, child welfare agencies must continue to manage, capture lessons learned, and rebuild better systems. On this page, find Federal and State resources for longer-term recovery and rebuilding from natural disasters or other major unexpected events, including resources on trauma and mental health services.
Coping With a Disaster or Traumatic Event
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Provides audience-specific resources to help families, communities, governments, and emergency responders cope with natural disasters or other traumatic events.
DTAC Webinars and Podcasts
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Disaster Technical Assistance Center
Offers a variety of podcasts and webinars to address mental health and substance use disorders among diverse populations in the wake of disasters.
Other Recovery Help
Disaster Assistance Improvement Program
Connects to resources that outline various Federal and community programs available to help families recover following a disaster.
Psychological First Aid and Skills for Psychological Recovery
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Discusses two practices for response to and recovery from a disaster. The strategies can be used with children, youth, parents, caretakers, and others who are survivors or witnesses to disasters.
Recovering Emotionally
American Red Cross
Describes emotional responses children and others may have to disasters and discusses tips for recovery relating to safety, rest, connecting with friends and family, and more.
Recovering From Disaster
Ready
Explores steps to take when recovering from a disaster, including taking care of your mental and physical well-being, contacting an emergency manager, filing an insurance claim, and more.
Recovery & Reunification
Youth.gov
Provides information about the steps required to help youth reconnect with family and access resources following a natural disaster.
Understanding Youth Disaster Recovery: The Vital Role of People, Places, and Activities (PDF - 377 KB)
Cox, Scannell, Heykoop, Tobin-Gurley, & Peek (2017)
International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 22
Explores disaster recovery from the perspective of youth and aims to inform the creation of a more inclusive, community-based, and youth-informed understanding of disaster recovery.