Coping With Disasters and Strengthening Systems Guide

Browse the Coping With Disasters and Strengthening Systems Guide to build foundational knowledge about disaster planning, response, and recovery; see examples of real-life strategies from jurisdictions around the country; and begin the process of planning to effectively respond to any disaster. The guide is divided into three sections.

The first section, “Planning for Disaster,” helps disaster planning teams assess existing disaster plans, offers steps for developing new disaster plans, and prompts thinking about key partnerships, communication, youth and family preparedness, and technology.

The second section, “Responding to Disaster,” walks teams through steps and considerations for their agency’s initial response to a disaster and offers guidance for how to coordinate an ongoing disaster response.

The third section, “Recovering From Disaster,” presents insights about how to manage short- and long-term recovery efforts, while keeping families and communities at the forefront, focusing on innovation, and addressing disproportionate impact.

By working through the steps and considerations in the Coping With Disasters and Strengthening Systems Guide, agencies can be well prepared to respond to and recover from any kind of disaster. This comprehensive resource supports child welfare agency efforts to plan for, respond to, and recover from disasters.