Children and Youth with Special Health Needs (CYSHN)
Emergency Planning for Families of Children and Youth with Special Health Needs
Emergencies or disasters are difficult for most families, but for those with special needs, the ability to manage can become more difficult. Planning is critical in minimizing the effects of disasters and emergencies. Below are some resources and links to assist families in preparing and reacting to disasters and emergencies.
Disaster Preparedness for Families of Children with Special Health Needs: a disaster preparedness guide for families of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs developed by the Florida Institute for Family Involvement (FIFI), which houses Family Voices in Florida.
Disaster Preparedness for Families of Children with Special Health Needs
Emergency Preparedness for Children with Special Health Care Needs: When a crisis occurs and children with special health care needs must access the emergency system, they are often left vulnerable because of a lack of access to information about their medical problems. There can be delays in treatment, unnecessary tests, and sometimes serious errors as a result of lack of access to information available to the treating emergency physician. To facilitate prompt and appropriate emergency care for children with special health care needs, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) have developed an Emergency Information Form which can be used as a tool to transfer critical information about these children.
American Red Cross: The American Red Cross has developed a guide for Disaster Preparedness for People With Disabilities. It is designed to help people who have physical, visual, auditory, or cognitive disabilities to prepare for natural disasters and their consequences.
Family Voices: We hope emergencies and disasters never happen, especially to our children. But we know they do. As parents, teachers, relatives, neighbors, and friends who care for and about children and youth with special health care needs, we want to keep our children safe. Family Voices (a national grassroots network of families and friends, advocates for health care services that are family-centered, community-based, comprehensive, coordinated and culturally competent for all children and youth with special health care needs; promotes the inclusion of all families as decision makers at all levels of health care; and supports essential partnerships between families and professionals) has information and resources available for families.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Information on Preparing and Planning for a disaster for Individuals with Special Needs
Ready America: When preparing for a possible emergency situation it's best to think first about the basics of survival. Ready America has information available to help in the planning process.
Disabilitypreparedness.gov: Links to resources and plans intended to assist you in your personal planning efforts.
Disability.gov: Disability.gov's Emergency Preparedness section has a number of tools and resources that can help people with disabilities and others prepare for, and recover from, emergency situations and disasters. You'll also find information about the importance of including people with disabilities in emergency preparedness efforts - including planning for, responding to and recovering from a disaster or emergency.
United Spinal Association: developed a free booklet "Fire Safety for Wheelchair Users at Work and at Home (PDF: 9 pages / 258KB)". The booklet is available in English and Spanish and addresses fire prevention and planning for all persons with mobility impairments. It offers some important tips to handle situations before and during a fire, and to address fire prevention within private homes.
After The Storm: A Guide to Help Children Cope with the Psychological Effects of a Hurricane
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): A Resource for Parents and Teachers - After the Disaster: A Children's Mental Health Checklist
National Mental Health Information Center: Emergencies, Mental Health, and Traumatic Stress Information
American Academy of Pediatrics Disaster Preparedness Information for Families with Children
Child Welfare Information Gateway: Mental Health Services in Disasters and Major Trauma
More information on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery is available from the Minnesota Department of Health at: http://www.health.state.mn.us/oep/index.html
