National Commission on Children and Disasters. 2010 Report to the ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Background The <strong>National</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> on Children and Disasters (“the <strong>Commission</strong>”) was established pursuant to the Kids in Disasters Well-being, Safety, and Health Act of 2007 as provided in Division G, Title VI of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008. 1 The <strong>Commission</strong>’s status as an independent Federal Advisory Committee was clarified in Division A, Section 157 (b) of the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2009. 2 The <strong>Commission</strong> was instructed to conduct a comprehensive study to independently examine and assess the needs of children (0-18 years of age) in relation to the preparation for, response to, and recovery from all hazards, including major disasters and emergencies, by building upon the evaluations of other entities and avoiding unnecessary duplication by reviewing the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of these entities. In addition to this report, the <strong>Commission</strong> submitted an Interim Report 3 in October 2009. The <strong>Commission</strong> reports specific findings, conclusions, and recommendations relating to: 1) child physical health, mental health, and trauma; 2) child care in all settings; 3) child welfare; 4) elementary and secondary education; 5) sheltering, temporary housing, and affordable housing; 6) transportation; 7) juvenile justice; 8) evacuation; and 9) relevant activities in emergency management. The <strong>Commission</strong> also provides specific recommendations on the need for planning and establishing a national resource center on children and disasters, and reports on the coordination of resources and services, administrative actions, policies, regulations, and legislative changes as the <strong>Commission</strong> considers appropriate. 4 The <strong>Commission</strong> is bipartisan, consisting of 10 members appointed by President George W. Bush and Congressional leaders. <strong>Commission</strong> members represent a variety of disciplines, including pediatrics, State and local emergency management, emergency medical services, non-governmental organizations dedicated to children, and State elected office. The <strong>Commission</strong> organized four subcommittees comprising <strong>Commission</strong>ers and Federal and non-Federal representatives: 1) Education, Child Welfare, and Juvenile Justice; 2) Evacuation, Transportation, and Housing; 3) Human Services Recovery; and 4) Pediatric Medical Care. The <strong>Commission</strong> met publicly on a quarterly basis and subcommittees met monthly to address their focus areas. 1 Public Law (P.L.) 110-161 (2008). 2 P.L. 110-329 (2009). 3 <strong>National</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> on Children and Disasters, Interim Report, (Washington, DC: NCCD, October 14, 2009), http://www.childrenanddisasters.acf.hhs.gov/20091014_508IR_partII.pdf. 4 P.L. 110-161 (2008). NATIONAL COMMISSION ON CHILDREN AND DISASTERS: 2010 REPORT 5
Executive Summary The President and Congress charged the <strong>National</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> on Children and Disasters with carrying out the first-ever comprehensive review of Federal disaster-related laws, regulations, programs, and policies to assess their responsiveness to the needs of children and make recommendations to close critical gaps. In this Executive Summary, the <strong>Commission</strong> assembles all the recommendations in this report. As is customary for a Federal advisory body such as the <strong>Commission</strong>, the recommendations are primarily directed toward the President, Federal agencies, and Congress. However, in order to achieve a coordinated national strategy on children and disasters at all levels of government—including Federal, State, tribal, territorial, and local— the <strong>Commission</strong> urges non-Federal executive and legislative branches of government to consider and apply the recommendations, as appropriate. To assist Congress, Federal agencies, and non-Federal partners in quickly identifying recommendations most relevant to them, the <strong>Commission</strong> provides an index organized by the agency, group, or individual charged with implementing the recommendation (see Appendix B: Index to Recommendations and Responsible Entities). 1. Disaster Management and Recovery Recommendation 1.1: Distinguish and comprehensively integrate the needs of children across all inter- and intra-governmental disaster management activities and operations. - The President should develop a <strong>National</strong> Strategy for Children and Disasters. - The Executive Branch, Congress, and non-Federal partners should prioritize children separately from “at -risk” population categories. - The Executive Branch at all levels of government should establish and maintain permanent focal points of coordination for children and disasters, supported by sufficient authority, funding, and policy expertise. FEMA should establish Children’s Integration Specialists at the regional level. - The Executive Branch and non-Federal partners should incorporate children as a distinct priority in base disaster planning documents and relevant grant programs. - The Executive Branch and non-Federal partners should incorporate education, child care, juvenile justice, and child welfare systems into disaster planning, training, and exercises. - The Executive Branch and non-Federal partners should incorporate children as a distinct priority in relevant target capabilities, preparedness training, and exercises, with specific target outcomes and performance measures. - The Executive Branch and Congress should institute accountability and progress monitoring measures to track implementation of <strong>Commission</strong> recommendations and capability improvements. NATIONAL COMMISSION ON CHILDREN AND DISASTERS: 2010 REPORT 7
Page 1 and 2: NATIONAL COMMISSION ON CHILDREN AND
Page 3 and 4: ii The 2010 Report to the President
Page 5 and 6: Each new disaster presents distinct
Page 8 and 9: Contents Abbreviations.............
Page 10 and 11: EMSC Emergency Medical Services for
Page 14 and 15: Recommendation 1.2: The President s
Page 16 and 17: - Include pediatric expertise on th
Page 18 and 19: Recommendation 4.3: HHS should deve
Page 20 and 21: 8. Child Welfare and Juvenile Justi
Page 22 and 23: 11. Evacuation Recommendation 11.1:
Page 25 and 26: 1. Disaster Management and Recovery
Page 27 and 28: A major impediment to the prioritiz
Page 29 and 30: children are a core consideration i
Page 31 and 32: Recommendation 1.2: The President s
Page 33 and 34: Recommendation 1.3: DHS/FEMA should
Page 35 and 36: The Commission rec
Page 37 and 38: 2. Mental Health Recommendation 2.1
Page 39 and 40: 2. Mental Health Recommendation 2.1
Page 41 and 42: The Commission rec
Page 43 and 44: Recommendation 2.4: DHS/FEMA and SA
Page 45 and 46: urden on affected States and commun
Page 47 and 48: types of [enhanced] crisis counseli
Page 49: elated adjustment difficulties such
Page 52 and 53: 46 NATIONAL COMMISSION ON CHILDREN
Page 54 and 55: children are largely unavailable or
Page 56 and 57: children may take several years, th
Page 58 and 59: As highlighted in the Commi
Page 60 and 61: Recommendation 3.3: HHS should ensu
Page 62 and 63:
Recommendation 3.4: The Executive B
Page 64 and 65:
Notwithstanding the need for greate
Page 66 and 67:
Finally, the Commission</st
Page 69 and 70:
4. Emergency Medical Services and P
Page 71 and 72:
4. Emergency Medical Services and P
Page 73 and 74:
Recommendation 4.2: Improve the cap
Page 75 and 76:
In addition, the Commission
Page 77 and 78:
NDMS and DoD are not the only entit
Page 79 and 80:
5. Disaster Case Management Recomme
Page 81 and 82:
5. Disaster Case Management Recomme
Page 83:
Not all disasters will involve disa
Page 86 and 87:
80 NATIONAL COMMISSION ON CHILDREN
Page 88 and 89:
The Commission rec
Page 90 and 91:
In response to the Commissi
Page 92 and 93:
Page 94 and 95:
eport, the chronic shortage of pedi
Page 96 and 97:
Page 98 and 99:
expertise. 272 While most school di
Page 100 and 101:
Recommendation 7.2: Congress and ED
Page 102 and 103:
Recommendation 7.3: Ensure that sch
Page 104 and 105:
Another mechanism through which the
Page 106 and 107:
sources. 303 Without comprehensive
Page 108 and 109:
Page 110 and 111:
. Respond to new child welfare case
Page 112 and 113:
Recommendation 8.2: Ensure that Sta
Page 114 and 115:
The Commission sup
Page 116 and 117:
Toward the goal of ensuring that ju
Page 118 and 119:
Page 120 and 121:
evisions to the standards were need
Page 123 and 124:
10. Housing Recommendation 10.1: Pr
Page 125 and 126:
10. Housing Recommendation 10.1: Pr
Page 127 and 128:
corresponding tasks related to the
Page 129:
Page 132 and 133:
Page 134 and 135:
evacuees. 382 States also have the
Page 136 and 137:
The Commission sup
Page 138 and 139:
Recommendation 11.2: Disaster plans
Page 140 and 141:
planning for the evacuation of scho
Page 142 and 143:
Page 144 and 145:
Appendix A. Study Approach The <str
Page 146 and 147:
Appendix B: Index to Recommendation
Page 148 and 149:
Page 150 and 151:
• Include bereavement support and
Page 152 and 153:
Relevant Federal Agencies President
Page 154 and 155:
Page 156 and 157:
• DHS/FEMA should clarify the tra
Page 158 and 159:
● Relevant Federal Agencies Presi
Page 160 and 161:
Page 162 and 163:
• Congress should authorize DHS/F
Page 164 and 165:
Appendix C: Model Executive Order o
Page 166 and 167:
2. Children and Disasters Advisory
Page 168 and 169:
• Support disaster plans, trainin
Page 170 and 171:
• When children exhibit signs of
Page 172 and 173:
Appendix F. Supplies for Infants an
Page 174 and 175:
Non-Perishable Supplies & Equipment
Page 176 and 177:
Supplemental Information Descriptio
Page 178 and 179:
Appendix G. Subcommittee Members an
Page 180 and 181:
Richard Muth, National</str
Page 182 and 183:
Also, the Commission</stron
Page 184 and 185:
Children’s Research Center^ Churc
Page 186 and 187:
Planning and Learning Technologies,
Page 188 and 189:
Honorable Sheila Leslie Appointed t
Page 190 and 191:
Honorable Mark K. Shriver, MPA Chai
Page 192:
NATIONAL COMMISSION ON CHILDREN AND
show all

National Commission on Children and Disasters. 2010 Report to the ...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?