If you haven't already, please visit the Ready America website for more information and resources about preparing yourself and your family for all types of emergencies. Preparing makes sense. The likelihood that you and your family will survive a house fire depends as much on having a working smoke detector and an exit strategy, as on a well-trained fire department. The same is true for surviving a terrorist attack or other emergency.
We must have the tools and plans in place to make it on our own, at least for a period of time, no matter where we are when disaster strikes. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security urges all Americans to: get a kit of emergency supplies; make a plan for what you will do in an emergency; and be informed about what might happen. Just like having a working smoke detector, preparing for the unexpected makes sense. Get Ready Now.
The following are links to great resources on being prepared and talking to your kids about challenging subjects.
Emergency Planning
Ready Kids In-School Materials Developed by Scholastic Inc.
U.S. Map Poster (PDF, 645Kb)- Lessons and Activities in Language Arts and Geography (PDF, 1.2Mb)
Ready Kids Activity Book
- Activity Book (PDF, 2.4Mb)
Children's National Preparedness Month Song
Written by Teachers and Students of Parks Elementary School in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (PDF, 519kb).
U.S. Department of Education
Materials to help teachers and school administrators prepare for all types of emergencies.
Federal Emergency Management Agency
FEMA has prepared materials to help schools prepare for all types of disasters. Further information and materials can be found at http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/emischool/
FEMA, National Weather Service, American Red Cross and Weather Channel have developed "Hurricane Strike!", a multimedia learning package on hurricanes for middle school students. The package integrates hurricane safety and preparedness with science instruction which provides an engaging interactive learning environment.
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross has developed a curriculum that can help educators talk to children about emergency planning entitled "Masters of Disaster".
The American Red Cross has developed a program that can help parents and educators talk to children and help them recover from a disaster entitled "Facing Fear: Helping Young People Deal with Terrorism and Other Tragic Events".
In addition, the American Red Cross and FEMA developed a booklet, "Helping Children Cope with Disaster" to guide parents, caregivers, and other adults as they help children cope with the effects of disaster.
Coping
American Academy of Pediatrics
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) represents the nation's pediatricians, doctors devoted to taking care of infants, children and teenagers. The AAP Web site provides guidance on how to communicate with children in the wake of a disaster and links to a readiness kit to help families handle disasters.
American Psychological Association
The APA developed a set of tips to give parents tools to help them show their children and teens how to deal with emotional pain and sadness.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
BAM! Body and Mind is an online destination for kids created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Designed for kids 9-13 years old, BAM! Body and Mind gives them the information they need to make healthy lifestyle choices. The site focuses on topics that kids told us are important to them - such as stress and physical fitness - using kid-friendly lingo, games, quizzes, and other interactive features.
National Association of School Psychologists
Download publications designed to help parents and teachers talk to children about coping with natural disasters, terrorism, or other tragedies. Many of their materials are available in languages other than English.
Scholastic, Inc. The global children's publishing and media company created,"Helping Children Feel Secure During Uncertain Times" to help parents understand what they can do to help their children feel safe in these uncertain times.
National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement
The staff of the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement collaborates with professional organizations, governmental and non-governmental agencies and community groups to help students, school officials and families in times of crisis and loss.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network is funded by the Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Network's purpose is to improve the quality, effectiveness, provision, and availability of therapeutic services delivered to all children and adolescents experiencing traumatic events. The Network develops and disseminates effective, evidence-based treatments; collects data for systematic study; and helps to educate professionals and the public about the effects of trauma on children.
Psychological First Aid
The University of California, Los Angeles School of Public Health/Center for Public Health and Disasters has developed two psychological first aid guides entitled "Listen Protect and Connect." One guide is for parents and the second is for teachers and schools. These guides provide ways to support children's emotional well being before, during and after emergencies. They build on ideas, strengths, and practices parents, teachers and schools naturally use with children and provide additional ideas and tools they can call upon in times of disaster or terrorism. Please note, both documents print two pages per sheet of letter sized paper to create a booklet.
- "Listen Protect and Connect" - Psychological First Aid for Children and Parents (PDF, 860Kb)
- "Listen Protect and Connect" - Psychological First Aid for Teachers and Schools (PFD, 2Mb)
Additional Resources
For more information about different types of emergencies, including how to prepare, visit these helpful resources:
American Psychological Association
U.S. Department of Education
Emergency Preparedness Plans for Schools
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program
Residential Shelter-in-Place Video
Federal Emergency Management Agency
The official Web portal of the U.S. Federal Government
Department of Heath & Human Services
Disasters and Emergencies
Home Safety Council
Tips for staying safe in and around your home
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Care for child victims of traumatic stress
National Safety Council
A public service organization dedicated to protecting life and promoting health
Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network
Organization Coordinating Unaffiliated Volunteers in Disasters
Federal Citizen Information Center
Provides answers about consumer products and government services
American Red Cross
Emergency response organization
