Page 10 - Creating a Community of Resiliency

Executive Summary
parent orientation, and create a parent advisory group. Providers suggested the fire department, neighbors, other providers and centers, local schools, and churches as partners in emergency preparedness; however, this varied by language group. Chinese family child care providers did not view churches as viable partners,a and Spanish-speaking family child care providers did not see schools as viable partners unless they connected with them in advance. (This is an important fact for all providers to know.)
When it came to assessing emergency kits, providers found each type of kit of value: the fanny pack and back pack for portability and the bucket for keeping outside. Because providers have many of the supply items already , it was realized that providing a pre- configured kit would not likely be the best option. For future kits it would likely be a good idea to have a large supply of various items so providers can choose the contents of their own kits.
When asked what they expected of the R&R agencies, providers stated the following: temporary site after an emergency, community resources, informational/status updates, and an informational conduit between the child care site and the parents during an emergency to help ensure successful reunification of the parents and children. When asked what information they receive from the R&R agencies, there was a stark contrast between the responses of the family child care providers and the center-based providers. Fewer than 25% of center-based providers said they receive their emergency preparedness information from the R&R agencies, while more than 80% of family child care providers stated they receive this information from the R&R agencies. Most providers reported having training, plans, drills, supplies, parent contact information, and a plan to communicate with parents. More support could be given to help providers develop a reunification plan for parents and their children.
Focus Group Findings and Recommendations
The following recommendations are based on the R&R agencies focus group and the early care and education provider focus groups:
Requirements Information: Disseminate information on requirements.
 Develop a one-sheet list of what is required and some recommendations. What is required appears to be limited to earthquake plan, evacuation plan, fire extinguisher, location to meet parents after an emergency.
 In the training workshops, ask providers to bring their plans with them to review. Emergency Plans for R&R Agencies: Develop a written set of recommendations for
R&R agencies that will be presented to CCALA and requested to be disseminated to all
a CCRC did not have an opportunity during the focus group session to clarify why the Chinese speakers would not partner with churches.
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