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

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The <strong>Commission</strong> also recommends that Executive branch leaders at all levels of government create a centralized focal point to identify and fix gaps in disaster policies and programs for children and families (see Appendix C: Model Executive Order or Resolution Creating a “Cabinet on Children and Disasters and Children and Disasters Advisory Council”). Relevant government agencies also may create such a mechanism. In August 2009, FEMA formed a Children’s Working Group to “create a lasting, positive change, at every level of government” by ensuring that the needs of children are incorporated into all disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. The Working Group reports to the FEMA Administrator and a counselor to the Homeland Security Secretary and is composed of representatives from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and FEMA, including the Office of the Administrator, key Program Directorates, the Regional Operations Office, Specialty Areas, and Supporting Offices, as well as subject matter experts and FEMA staff who participate on <strong>Commission</strong> subcommittees. 12 In addition, the Working Group is assisting in the development of disaster planning activities for children with partner agencies, specifically HHS, the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Department of Education (ED), and with non-governmental partners. In March 2010, HHS also formed a Children’s Working Group co-chaired by the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response and the Assistant Secretary for Administration of Children and Families. HHS’ working group will assess current capabilities to address children in disaster planning activities and seek to facilitate coordination across the agency. To expedite progress, the <strong>Commission</strong> urges the HHS working group to synchronize priority areas with critical gaps the <strong>Commission</strong> has identified, such as coordinated disaster planning for children, development of pediatric medical countermeasures, and delivery of disaster mental and behavioral health services to children. The creation of advisory bodies is an important means to place a focus on children and families; however, these entities are currently ad hoc in nature and may be eliminated following a change in Administration. Therefore, the <strong>Commission</strong> urges these advisory bodies be permanently established by statute and replicated across Federal and non-Federal agencies, reporting directly to top-level leadership, with sufficient authority, funding, staffing, and policy expertise to effectively expedite the implementation of the <strong>Commission</strong>’s recommendations and other related activities. The <strong>Commission</strong> also recommended that the Executive Branch and non-Federal partners incorporate children as a distinct priority throughout base disaster planning documents and relevant grant programs. In response to these recommendations, Administrator Fugate directed FEMA staff to review base planning guidance and work to ensure that the needs of 12 <strong>National</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> on Children and Disasters, “Meeting Minutes of the November 10, 2009 Public Meeting,” (Washington, DC: NCCD, November 10, 2009), 2, http://www.childrenanddisasters.acf.hhs.gov/minutes/20091110_MinutesV02.pdf. 22 NATIONAL COMMISSION ON CHILDREN AND DISASTERS: 2010 REPORT
children are a core consideration in disaster planning. 13 Also, the FEMA Children’s Working Group is collaborating with the agency’s <strong>National</strong> Preparedness Directorate to incorporate children’s needs into FEMA’s disaster planning documents, including the Comprehensive Planning Guide 101 and the <strong>National</strong> Response Framework. 14 Making children a priority will have important implications at all levels of government for training, equipment, supplies, and exercises, since priorities drive investment and resource allocation decisions. Not enough attention has been paid nor resources devoted to improving Federal and especially non-Federal disaster capabilities for children. The bedrock of the Nation’s disaster planning and management system lies at the State and local levels. First responders to any disaster are not likely to be FEMA, HHS, or other Federal entities. If requested at all, Federal support may not arrive for several hours or days after the disaster. States and localities supported by Federal emergency preparedness grants should develop disaster capabilities that meet the needs of children. However, a disproportionately small amount of the total Federal funds appropriated for State and local disaster management is specifically allocated to support development of capabilities to assist children. DHS worked closely with the <strong>Commission</strong> to develop and release a Supplemental Resource regarding children in disasters within its FY 2010 Homeland Security Grant Program guidance. 15 The guidance provides States with specific examples of eligible uses of funding to benefit children, such as supplies, planning, and training; however, the guidance does not require States to expend grant funds to address the needs of children. The <strong>Commission</strong> recommends that specific emergency preparedness capabilities for children be developed and integrated into existing capabilities that are supported by Federal emergency preparedness grants. States and jurisdictions would then have greater means to develop disaster capabilities that meet the needs of children. Grantees should assess their performance in meeting the needs of children during exercises and drills, and include performance evaluations in their After Action Reports and improvement and corrective action plans. Based on briefings with national organizations representing State and local governments and knowledge derived from field visits, the <strong>Commission</strong> developed a list of basic disaster capabilities for consideration by elected officials and emergency managers (Appendix D). The <strong>Commission</strong> also recommends that congregate care settings, such as schools, child care, juvenile justice, and child welfare facilities, along with local child serving agencies be included in planning, training, and exercises. Likewise, State child serving government agencies should be incorporated into State-level efforts. The Government Accountability 13 Craig Fugate, Testimony of Craig Fugate before the U.S. Senate, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Subcommittee on Disaster Recovery, Washington, DC, December 10, 2009, 3, http://hsgac.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Hearings.Hearing&Hearing_ID=bba3b475-bd7e-4138-9cdf- 3ed88c17f73e. 14 <strong>National</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> on Children and Disasters, “Meeting Minutes of the November 10, 2009 Public Meeting,” 2. 15 Department of Homeland Security, Fiscal Year 2010 Homeland Security Grant Program Supplemental Resource: Children in Disasters Guidance, (Washington, DC: DHS, June 2009), 1, http://www.fema.gov/pdf/government/grant/2010/fy10_hsgp_children.pdf. NATIONAL COMMISSION ON CHILDREN AND DISASTERS: 2010 REPORT 23
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 12 and 13: Background The National</st
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
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Page 25 and 26: 1. Disaster Management and Recovery
Page 27: A major impediment to the prioritiz
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
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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
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5. Disaster Case Management Recomme
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5. Disaster Case Management Recomme
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Not all disasters will involve disa
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80 NATIONAL COMMISSION ON CHILDREN
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The Commission rec
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In response to the Commissi
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Finally, the Commission</st
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eport, the chronic shortage of pedi
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expertise. 272 While most school di
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Recommendation 7.2: Congress and ED
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Recommendation 7.3: Ensure that sch
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Another mechanism through which the
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sources. 303 Without comprehensive
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. Respond to new child welfare case
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Recommendation 8.2: Ensure that Sta
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The Commission sup
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Toward the goal of ensuring that ju
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evisions to the standards were need
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10. Housing Recommendation 10.1: Pr
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10. Housing Recommendation 10.1: Pr
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corresponding tasks related to the
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Finally, the Commission</st
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evacuees. 382 States also have the
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The Commission sup
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Recommendation 11.2: Disaster plans
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planning for the evacuation of scho
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Appendix A. Study Approach The <str
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Appendix B: Index to Recommendation
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• Include bereavement support and
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Relevant Federal Agencies President
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• DHS/FEMA should clarify the tra
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● Relevant Federal Agencies Presi
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• Congress should authorize DHS/F
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Appendix C: Model Executive Order o
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2. Children and Disasters Advisory
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• Support disaster plans, trainin
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• When children exhibit signs of
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Appendix F. Supplies for Infants an
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Non-Perishable Supplies & Equipment
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Supplemental Information Descriptio
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Appendix G. Subcommittee Members an
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Richard Muth, National</str
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Also, the Commission</stron
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Children’s Research Center^ Churc
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Planning and Learning Technologies,
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Honorable Sheila Leslie Appointed t
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Honorable Mark K. Shriver, MPA Chai
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NATIONAL COMMISSION ON CHILDREN AND
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