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.
A few weeks ago, my local CLDR team got our first dispatch call: a multi-family apartment fire with 2 fatalities. We were being called to assist with a grandmother and her child with autism who both were living in the complex and evacuated at this time. Woah…fire, death, autism…this is a big one to handle
One Trauma Unveils Another… 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. Â This is by no means a requirement for CLSs who deploy! Â 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 »
We are excited to have a Michigan Certified Child Life Specialist joining the Children’s Disaster Services(CDS) teams in Louisiana! Â Thus far the CDS teams have cared for over 165 children – keep up the great work! We continue to keep all those recovering from this disaster in our thoughts and prayers as they continue to
Michigan CCLS joining the CDS team in LA! Read More »
We are excited to have a Michigan Certified Child Life Specialist joining the Children’s Disaster Services(CDS) teams in Louisiana! Â Thus far the CDS teams have cared for over 165 children – keep up the great work! We continue to keep all those recovering from this disaster in our thoughts and prayers as they continue to
Michigan CCLS joining the CDS team in LA! Read More »