The Children’s Disaster Services Training in Kalamazoo, Michigan last weekend was a terrific mix of child life specialists, teachers, social workers, emergency management employees, and others with a wide variety of backgrounds and a common love for kids. Take a look at these faces- you might see them on a future deployment!
A Great Training in Kalamazoo! Read More »
We can’t thank the Florida Association of Child Life Professionals (FACLP) enough for hosting the Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) training in Tampa last weekend! We are receiving the final paperwork for participants as we type this and CDS certifications are in process. What a great group of 40 enthusiastic people ready to serve vulnerable kids after disasters! As one
CDS Training Workshop a.k.a. “Superhero Training” – Tampa Read More »
The second half of my trip was spent providing care to children in a couple different shelters and a newly opened DRC, Disaster Recovery Center. This space is located in a huge movie sound stage/warehouse and serves as a one stop shop for people to meet with FEMA and other disaster assistance agencies to find
Play is Powerful- Louisiana Read More »
In preparation for a potential need in Florida: If you are already a certified disaster volunteer with our partner, Children’s Disaster Services, please email [email protected] with your availability to respond. If you are not available in the next few days, but might be available in the coming weeks, please email that info as well.
Are you guys like babysitters? “Yes. That, and so much more, let me tell you more”…As child life specialists we are all too familiar with our ‘elevator speech,’ and are ready to try to summarize all that we do in approximately three sentences. This is nearly impossible and never enough for someone to understand the
Louisiana- Moving from One Shelter to Another Read More »
Brianna Pastewski has written about her first day for us all to share in her experience. This is by no means a requirement for CLSs who deploy! But we are so grateful that she is letting us all get a peak into this with her and grateful for the opportunity for the child life community
First Day in Louisiana by Brianna Read More »
Is anyone else aching over what’s been happening these last several weeks? There’s no simple answer or explanation for any of the recent events. They are each horrific and beyond comprehension. Here’s an article (click on the image above) we found that does an excellent job putting into words the importance of talking with kids and
How to Talk to Our Kids about The Recent Events Read More »
Today I flew home. I hated leaving when the Family Assistance Center is still open and there are some significant things still happening, but I needed to get back today. Four members of our team are still there and will continue to care for the children. I drove away from the football and soccer stadium
Day 7: Leaving a Different Orlando Read More »
We have been seeing a lot more of those who are injured coming to the Family Assistance Center. This is likely due to the fact that they are starting to be discharged from hospitals. Some come in wheelchairs and many with all sorts of bandages. And they come supported by their friends and families. It was
Day 6: Wheelchairs and Boo-boo’s Read More »
A few of us went to a local church service this morning before the Family Assistance Center (FAC) opened. Even though I’m an avid news-reader, I have not been reading the news on this horrible event and only learning details from the kids. But I have to tell you, the church put the names of
Day 5: Numbers Don’t Capture the Story Read More »