Preparedness

Last Reviewed Date
January 27, 2023

Image removed.Planning requires thinking about what would happen if an emergency occurred.

  • What partners can help with local damage assessments so that children are safe? 
  • How would our licensing staff do their job if their cars were flooded?
  • What would happen if child care was needed for essential workers (for example, convenience store employees and well-paid medical staff)?
  • How will information and data be collected to describe the scope and severity of the impact? What alternative information-collection methods can be put in place when electricity or connectivity is out?

Preparation follows to put the partnerships, policies, processes, and protocols in place. Consider whether you can do the following:

  • Expand a relationship or partnership with other agencies that have local staff and already monitor child care providers, such as the health sanitarian and fire marshal.
  • Develop a policy for the use of personal vehicles or establish a contingency contract with a car fleet. Ensure the policy allows staff in unaffected areas to be deployed for an emergency response.
  • Establish language that can be added to administrative rules allowing flexibility in emergencies or disasters at the discretion of the agency head. 
  • Ensure data and management systems have disaster or alternative use codes and develop protocols that include more traditional approaches such as landline phones, paper checks, and mail delivery.

Preparedness resources include examples and suggestions that support the ongoing planning for emergencies and disasters by both Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Lead Agencies and direct child-serving practitioners.

This section identifies resources for CCDF Lead Agencies as well as resources a CCDF Lead Agency may adopt or adapt for child care providers.