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  • Responding to Disasters

Responding to Disasters

When disasters occur, having the capacity to respond quickly and efficiently at all levels is critical for children, families, and child welfare professionals. On this page, learn how to deploy or reallocate needed resources to respond in the immediate aftermath of disasters or major emergencies. The page also provides guidance for caseworkers serving families during a disaster response. 

  • Resources for caseworkers

Caring for Children in a Disaster
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Provides information and resources to help families and service providers prepare for and respond to disasters.

Community Emergency Response Team
Ready
Describes the Community Emergency Response Team program, which educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills.

Coping With Disaster
Ready
Offers age-specific information about the ways in which children may respond to disasters, including resources for helping children cope with sudden changes.

Coping With Disasters and Strengthening Systems: Leading Your Agency Through a Disaster Tip Sheet 
Capacity Building Center for States (2021) 
Presents information for child welfare leaders on preparing for and responding to disasters. The resource explores how to best adapt leadership for disaster management, considerations for effective leadership across the phases of disaster management, and the importance of equity in disaster management. 

'Embed Equity' in Disaster Response, Experts Say
American Bar Association (2020) 
Discusses connections between responding to disasters and responding to inequality and the way systemic racism heightens disaster vulnerability for certain populations.

Embedding Equity Into Disaster Preparedness Efforts in Child Welfare

Series Title
Factsheets
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
View
Download (PDF - 379KB)
Order (Free)
Year Published
2021
Presents child welfare strategies for reducing disparities for children, youth, and families of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds in the wake of disasters.

How Can Child Welfare Leaders Manage Through Crisis While Maintaining Momentum Towards Transformation? 
Casey Family Programs (2021)
Shares strategies and lessons learned from operations during crises such as during child maltreatment fatalities, natural disasters, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rising to the Challenge: Lessons Learned in Responding to Disasters [Video]
Capacity Building Center for States (2020)
Highlights real-life experiences of youth, families, and child welfare agencies dealing with different types of disasters and presents lessons learned in responding to disasters and tips for disaster management.

What Is Child Welfare? A Guide for Disaster Preparedness and Response Professionals

Series Title
Factsheets
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
View
Download (PDF - 350KB)
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Year Published
2021
Provides an overview of child welfare and describes how disaster preparedness and response and child welfare professionals can support one another’s efforts when responding to the safety and well-being of children and families during all phases of a disaster.

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Resources for caseworkers

Help Rebuild Community Resilience After Natural Disasters 
Regis College 
Explores the role of social workers in disaster preparedness and response and reviews how they can assist families after a disaster.

Online Disaster Technical Assistance Center (DTAC) Training Courses 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Lists trainings available to help caseworkers and other professionals serving their community around disaster response and recovery. The trainings cover building resilience, cultural competency, dealing with stress, effects on mental health, and other topics.

Resources Specific to Emergency/Crisis and Disaster Settings 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families 
Offers information on trauma-informed services and a trauma-informed approach to disaster response. The webpage lists resources on how to become more trauma-informed, how to recognize trauma, how to avoid retraumatization, and more. 

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COVID-19 and Child Welfare

ACF and Children's Bureau Guidance

COVID-19 Resources

HHS Division Updates on COVID-19

Housing Support When Universities, Colleges Close Due to COVID-19

Stay Safe and Be Informed About COVID-19

Guidance in Addressing COVID-19

Additional Resources

COVID-19 State Child Welfare and Related Health Resources
Child Welfare Information Gateway

National COVID-19 Resources
Child Welfare Information Gateway

COVID-19: Child Welfare Resources 
National Conference of State Legislatures (2021) 

National Federal Eviction Moratorium 
National Low Income Housing Coalition (2021)

Spotlight On

Knowledge Management Research: Telework in Child Welfare

Capacity Building Center for States (2020)

Knowledge Management Research: Virtual Meetings in Child Welfare

Capacity Building Center for States (2020)

Supervising Child Welfare Professionals Virtually During a Pandemic

Quality Improvement Center for Workforce Development (2020)

Virtual Workforce Supports

National Child Welfare Workforce Institute

Related Content

Caseworker Visits With Children and Youth in Out-of-Home Care

Virtual and Remote Workforce Needs

Division X Technical Assistance

More From Our Library

2017 to Present

Disaster preparedness, response, and recovery

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