September was first declared as National Preparedness Month in 2004. Since then, September has been a time to acknowledge the importance, and take steps to prepare for emergencies in our homes, businesses, schools, and communities.
Disasters, violence, and terrorism can have devastating physical and psychological effects on children and families. Children and adolescents are at risk for stress reactions including sleep and eating disturbances, irritability, anger, headaches, and stomachaches. They may also have behavior problems at school, lose interest in activities they once enjoyed, avoid friends, or engage in dangerous or risky behaviors. To significantly improve the emotional well-being of children and families after a disaster, many strategies can be put in place beforehand. Being prepared for terrorism and disasters reduces anxiety, and promotes confidence and resilience in children and families.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) has compiled a list of helpful resources for parents and caregivers, children and teens, mental health providers, first responders, educators and school staff, and policy makers.
Includes a 5-hour interactive course that puts the participant in the role of a provider in a post-disaster scene. This course is for individuals new to disaster response who want to learn the core goals of PFA, as well as for seasoned practitioners who want a review.
Helps child welfare agencies support children and youth during and after natural disasters. This toolkit is for child welfare staff, supervisors, and administrators who work with and on behalf of children, youth, and families who experience a natural disaster.
Los Primeros Auxilios Psicológicos constituyen un enfoque modular basado en la evidencia y cuyo objetivo es ayudar a niños, adolescentes, adultos y familias a afrontar las consecuencias inmediatas de desastres o actos de terrorismo.
Aims to help survivors gain skills to manage distress and cope with post-disaster stress and adversity. This course utilizes skills-building components from mental health treatment that have been found helpful in a variety of post-trauma situations.
Allows families to list important telephone numbers and other information that could be useful in the case of an emergency. Each member of the family should carry these cards with them at all times in case an event occurs and all family members are not together.
Provides external resources related to National Preparedness Month.
Provides strategies for establishing and expanding partnerships, discusses considerations for networking in rural and frontier communities, and highlights the role of health care coalitions and schools.
Provides current recommendations for partnering with local organizations; resources available after a disaster or terrorism event; and strategies for staging response activities to address recovery.
Accompanies the Family Preparedness Wallet Card. This guide helps families develop a safety plan so that they may be prepared in the event of a disaster. This is the Russian version of Family Preparedness: Thinking Ahead.
Accompanies the Family Preparedness Wallet Card. This guide helps families develop a safety plan so that they may be prepared in the event of a disaster. This is the Vietnamese version of Family Preparedness: Thinking Ahead.
Accompanies the Family Preparedness Wallet Card. This guide helps families develop a safety plan so that they may be prepared in the event of a disaster.
Accompanies the Family Preparedness Wallet Card. This guide helps families develop a safety plan so that they may be prepared in the event of a disaster. This is the Korean version of Family Preparedness: Thinking Ahead.