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REUNITING AFTER AN EMERGENCY
The process of reunifying children with their family after an emergency can vary based on your state and local area as well as the disaster circumstances. It may take some time to reunite a child with their parents. Until this happens continue to provide safe shelter and care for the child. Below are agencies that can provide assistance with reunifying children with their families.
• The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reunification system is a 24-hour hotline. 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) / TTY 1-800-826-7653 or www.missingkids.com
• The Unaccompanied Minors Registry (UMR) is a tool for reporting children who have been separated from their parents or legal guardians as a result of a disaster. www.missingkids.com/DisasterResponse
• The National Emergency Child Locator Center (NECLC) will be activated immediately after a Presidentially-declared disaster. 1-866-908-9572 or https://egateway.fema.gov/inter/nefrls/home.htm
• Your local Child Care Resource & Referral agency 1-415-882-0234 or www.rrnetwork.org
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AND RECOVERY FOR CHILDREN AND ADULT CAREGIVERS
Responding to the immediate emotional needs of children and adults during a traumatic experience is important for effective recovery. Trauma is the result of extraordinarily stressful events that shatters one’s sense of security, resulting in feelings of helplessness and vulnerability. With the right self-help strategies and support you, your staff and children can experience a faster recovery.
It is important to communicate openly with children following trauma. Let them know that it’s normal to feel scared or upset. Children will also look to you for cues on how they should respond to traumatic events, therefore it is important that you deal with symptoms of trauma in a positive way.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides guidance for adults to better understand common reactions of children post-disaster based on levels of emotional, cognitive and physical development of the child.
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