Preparedness
Preparation puts the partnerships, policies, processes, and protocols from planning initiatives in place. 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.
Federal Guidance on Disaster Planning
These federal resources offer guidance and examples on disaster planning and preparedness.
Statewide Disaster Plan (or Disaster Plan for a Tribe’s Service Area) for Child Care
This information memorandum provides guidance to Lead Agencies on the development and implementation of a disaster plan for child care.
This website features resources for child care businesses and families, such as social media toolkits and a preparedness messaging planning calendar.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
SAMHSA offers training, resources, and immediate relief via help line services like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and Disaster Distress Helpline.
Technical Assistance Resources
These resources provide guidance for lead agencies to consider when creating disaster preparedness plans and policies.

Tip Sheets: CCDF Flexibilities in Disaster Response and Recovery
Three worksheets expand the 2020 document’s scope to include natural and human-made disasters and public health emergencies.
Refining CCDF Disaster Plans Following the COVID-19 Pandemic
This discussion brief identifies disaster response and recovery considerations from the COVID-19 pandemic, many of which could be appropriate for other more localized emergency and disaster responses.
A Quick Guide to CCDF Disaster Plan Continuity
This guide can help Lead Agencies think about what is needed for each type of continuity.
A Tool for Strengthening Infant/Toddler Care Quality
This tool supports state child care leaders as they plan, implement, and evaluate state policies to strengthen the quality of child care services received by infants, toddlers, and families.
Collaboration with Key Partners Tool: Statewide Child Care Disaster Plan
This customizable tool can be used to develop and track key contacts for revisions to the plan and as a contact list in disaster response and recovery.
Developing and Disseminating Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Content
This suite of resources covers using consumer education websites to disseminate disaster response information.
CCDF Health and Safety Requirements on Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning
This brief provides an overview of requirements for emergency preparedness and response planning for emergencies.
This brief highlights some ideas and resources to share with providers as you think about the challenges of winter weather.
Developing a Disaster Plan
These resources include information that may be used by Lead Agencies, their contractors, and providers to support the development of the child care emergency plan in a child care center or family child care home.

Resource Guide: Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery for Child Care Programs
This resource helps child care programs develop or update their emergency plans.
Emergency Preparedness Manual for Early Childhood Programs
This resource includes helpful information and lists for child care centers and family child care providers.
OST Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Toolkit
This toolkit assists out-of-school-time (OST) programs in developing emergency preparedness plans that address the programs' distinct needs .
Supporting Breastfeeding in Child Care Programs During Epidemics
This resource guides modification of policies to ensure ongoing, safe breastfeeding practices in child care programs during infectious disease occurrences.
Return to Child Care and Development Fund Disaster Plans page.