Disasters are upsetting to everyone involved. Children, older people, and/or people with disabilities are especially at risk. For a child, his or her view of the world as a safe and predictable place is temporarily lost. Children become afraid that the event will happen again and that they or their family will be injured or killed. The damage, injuries, and deaths that can result from an unexpected or uncontrollable event are difficult for most children to understand.
How a parent or other adult reacts to a child following any traumatic event can help children recover more quickly and more completely. (From Red Cross, "Helping Young Children Cope with Trauma")
Download helping-children-and-adolescents-cope-with-violence-and-disasters-what-parents-can-do.pdf
http://www.childtrauma.org/CTAMATERIALS/Prin_tcare_03_v2.pdf
http://www.traumaresources.org/emotional_trauma_online_video.htm
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/keepsafe/childtrauma.html
Download Childrens_Understandingofdeath.pdf
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/cmhs/EmergencyServices/after.asp
http://www.usuhs.mil/psy/CTCPsychologicalFirstAid.pdf
http://www.childrenofseptember11.org/resources.aspx?s=30
http://www.aboutourkids.org/files/articles/crisis_guide02_w_spanish.pdf
Disaster Preparedness Resources for Children
http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/kids/flash.shtm
http://www.cdc.gov/gcc/exhibit/kids.htm
http://www.fema.gov/plan/index.shtm
http://www.ready.illinois.gov/before/
http://www.homesafetycouncil.org/safety_guide/sg_fire_w001.aspx
http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pyfff/
http://www.ready.illinois.gov/
http://www.childrenofseptember11.org/resources.aspx?s=30
http://www.aboutourkids.org/files/articles/crisis_guide02_w_spanish.pdf
