Tribal Disaster Preparedness Resources

As indicated in the Office of Child Care (OCC) Information Memorandum titled Statewide Disaster Plan (or Disaster Plan for a Tribe’s service area) for Child Care (CCDF-ACF-IM-2017-01), the reauthorization of the CCDBG Act requires Lead Agencies to develop and maintain a comprehensive Disaster Plan to address emergency preparedness, response, and recovery efforts specific to child care. Under section 658E(c)(2)(U) of the Act 3 and 45 CFR 98.16(aa) of the CCDF final rule, Tribal Lead Agencies are required to demonstrate how they will address the needs of children, including the need for safe child care before, during, and after a state of emergency declared by the Governor or a major disaster or emergency (as defined by section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 4) through a Disaster Plan (or Disaster Plan for a Tribe's service area). CCDF Tribal Lead Agencies can play an important role in helping to better prepare child care providers and support programs after a disaster to help them quickly recover and be able to care for children in a safe and effective manner. This includes ensuring continuity of care and services for families receiving assistance through the CCDF program and for providers caring for children who receive subsidies. These sessions seek to support Tribal Lead Agencies in navigating the processes of disaster planning to include coordinating and collaborating with key partners; guidelines for continuation of child care subsidies and services; coordination of postdisaster recovery of child care services; and requirements for CCDF providers and other child care providers. These resources can be used in the development of an effective Disaster Plan to include collaboration efforts with appropriate stakeholders and to address the needs of children, including the need for safe child care before, during, and after a state of emergency.