Ensure the safety of children

• Identify staff members appropriate for Child Care and Supervision
• Be vigilant for predatory behavior by adults in the area. Staff children’s areas with at least two adults. Assign staff such as childcare workers with experience and security clearance if available. Provide security camera supervision of the area.

Unaccompanied children

• Document information on children who are unaccompanied. Attach this with the child
  • Location where child is found (i.e., cross streets, latitude & longitude, facility/school)
  • Gender
  • Ethnicity / race
  • Hair / Eye color
  • Name (if possible)
    • For toddlers (ages 1-3) – If they don’t tell you their name, try taking a photo of them and showing it to them. Ask “who is this?”
  • Other distinguishing characteristics (i.e. birthmarks, tattoos, scars)
    
• Contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) 1-800-THE-LOST if a child presents at your location without a caregiver. The child’s information is entered into the national database.
• Designate special areas for temporary housing of unaccompanied children. 
• Collect identifying information on children if they arrive by themselves

Identify Child-Appropriate Food and Formula Supplies

•  Support mom’s efforts to continue breastfeeding.

Determine available pharmaceutical types and use appropriate pediatric dosing

Whenever possible, encourage a child’s parent or guardian to stay with the child at all times

If caregiver is not available, accompany pediatric victims at all times including triage, treatment and disposition. 

Establish a Family Information Center that will be a central location for family members trying to find children

Identify locations within the facility appropriate for accommodating children. (Reference to NYC Hospital Guidelines for Pediatric Preparedness) 

• Remove and store cleaning supplies, medications, choking hazards and cords securely. 
• Modify those spaces to prevent child injury.   (away from stairwells, unauthorized access, cover electrical outlets, ensure furniture is not able to be tipped over or pulled down onto children)

Providing psychosocial support for children

After violence or a disaster occurs, the family is the first-line resource for helping. Tasks for parents and other caring adults to help traumatized children:

• Explain the episode of violence or disaster as well as you are able.
• Encourage children to express their feelings.
• Listen to them without passing judgment.
• Help younger children learn to use words that express their feelings. However, do not force discussion of the traumatic event. 
•  Let children and adolescents know it is normal to feel upset after something bad happens.
• Allow time for the youngsters to experience and talk about their feelings. At home, a gradual return to routine can be reassuring to the child.
• If your children are fearful, reassure them that you love them and will take care of them. Stay together as a family as much as possible.
• If behavior at bedtime is a problem, give the child extra time and reassurance. Let him or her sleep with a light on or in your room for a limited time if necessary.
• Reassure children and adolescents the traumatic event was not their fault.
• Do not criticize regressive behavior or shame the child with words like "babyish."
• Allow children to cry or be sad. Don't expect them to be brave or tough.
• Encourage children and adolescents to feel in control. Let them make some decisions about meals, what to wear, etc.
• Take care of yourself so you can take care of the children