Caring through Crises: Uniting for Child-Centered Disaster Response

Author: Kelsie Hull, UCLA

Contact: kelsieh10@g.ucla.edu

Date: June 4, 2025

Caring through Crises: Uniting for Child-Centered Disaster Response 

With the increase in natural disasters like Hurricane Helene and the LA Fires, it becomes clear just how essential a coordinated approach to child-centered care is for all of us. After 7 months of deployments across North Carolina and Los Angeles, we have seen firsthand how important it is to come together with like-minded organizations to ensure children and families have the support they need in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, but also throughout their long road to recovery. From our lens, we have seen, collaborated and worked alongside (4) primary national organizations that leap into action in the aftermath of disasters. And it takes all of us, together, to fill the gaps in care for children and families. 

At the National Emergency Childcare Network (NECCN), our model is led by a grassroots, community-rooted approach. We train local volunteers in trauma-informed care who understand the disaster first-hand. Our volunteers stay embedded in their local community to provide direct, flexible care whenever and wherever families need it. This can be in homes, offices, and temporary shelters. Our model works to support all children, from infants to teens, and aims to empower local families during both severe emergencies and long-term recovery. 

Formed in 1979, Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) is a program of Brethren Disaster Ministries. It provides free, developmentally-appropriate child care in Red Cross disaster shelters that pop up from disaster to disaster. CDS volunteers complete a specialized two-day training and screening process. Ready with a “Kit of Comfort,” CDS volunteers prepare a basket filled with carefully selected toys that aim to promote imaginative play. CDS volunteers create safe, nurturing spaces for children to play amid the chaos of a disaster. While the CDS is rooted in faith, their mission is welcome to all and their work at these Family Assistance Centers alongside the American Red Cross and other county disaster shelters help to bring stability and calm children facing upheaval.  

Another global leader focused on children in disaster responses is Save the Children. While Save the Children does not deploy volunteers, it invests heavily in training of other volunteers, systems building, and local investments. They train communities in psychological first aid, how to support the health and education systems and do a lot of advocacy for child protection policies. They have programs rooted in health care, education programs, protection against child-abuse, international emergency response, policy and advocacy and localization programs. This organization’s approach emphasizes long term resilience using programs that will ensure children not only survive but are also able to continue learning, growing and healing. Save the Children often reaches out to many child care organizations that respond to disasters to offer training, support and assistance. 

Project:Camp takes a different approach using pop-up youth camps in the immediate aftermath of disasters. Their camps serve children ages 6-18. Through working with local partners, they are able to provide a structured, playful and emotional supportive camp for free in affected neighborhoods. In the wake of a disaster, Project:Camp works with local organizations, such as Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCA’s, or churches to provide a site, where trauma-informed volunteers help families in need. These camps allow more than just playful fun, but also support stability. Project:Camp is able to build connections and introduce children and families to long-term support services. 

The Child Life Disaster Relief (CLDR) deploys child life consultants to provide trauma-informed care to shelters, clinics and communities. They utilize trained professionals to provide one-on-one support, lead community outreach and contribute to research and education. This all works to ensure children have the resources and resilience to cope with crises globally. The CLDR focuses on emotional health as they work to soften the psychological blow disasters can inflict on children.  

Together, we are all filling important gaps in the child care ecosystem during disaster response — from pop-up youth camps, to free child care in an office or even in a family’s home. Without all of us playing our parts, many families would not get the services they desperately need to heal, recover, and rebuild their lives after a disaster.