We were excited to be a part of Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) Critical Response Training this past week in Maryland. Â This two day training focused on specialized deployments including acts of terrorism, man-made disasters, and aviation/transportation disasters. Â We heard from the American Red Cross, FEMA, NTSB as well as others. Â Katie Nees (child life […]
Critical Response Training Read More »
Our partner, Children’s Disaster Services is still on stand-by with the Red Cross for potential deployment. Â Thank you to the CDS team that was ready and prepared to deploy already! Â They have not been sent out yet at this point. Â As of right now, the needs are continually being assessed along with the changing status
Hurricane Matthew Deployment Update Read More »
There is potential for a significant need to help children affected by Hurricane Matthew.  If you are certified with our partner, Children’s Disaster Services, please consider your availability to deploy and email the CDS office with that information: [email protected]. NOTE: If you recently trained in Tampa, FL or Kalamazoo, MI, send in your paperwork and your availability.
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 »
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 »
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 »