Page 38 - Creating a Community of Resiliency

Preparedness and Response Readiness: Providers
Medication Overdose
“A child was diagnosed diabetic and parents dropped off his medication. When he went into shock [staff] didn’t know how to use the insulin and how much to give. This resulted in an overdose of 9 times the amount....There was a protocol in place but [staff] didn’t follow it.”
 English-speaking, center-based provider Accidents
“A child [choked] on food and fell on to the outside stage. The director was there and administered first aid, called 9-1-1, parents, and took him to the hospital.”
 English-speaking, center-based provider
“Stitches, broken arm. We don’t move anyone until we know they are okay. We transport them to
the office and then do an evaluation of whether to call 9-1-1 or the parents.”
 English-speaking, center-based provider Power Outage
“There was a power outage emergency. I had no power for a week. Parents had to take their children to care because they had to work. So I operated my child care without power for a week. I used food that didn’t need to be heated and used ice.”
 Chinese-speaking, family child care provider
What Worked Well during the Emergency Situations
Three common themes emerged during the discussion of what worked during the emergency situation. Providers expressed the importance of communication, both with staff within the child care and with the parents of the children they serve. They also discussed the importance of having plans in place for when emergencies arise and practicing those plans to be prepared when having to confront an emergency situation.
Good Communication
“And the other thing that helped us was the communication with the parents. They responded to my call almost immediately and within an hour they were picking up the children. Even the parents that didn’t answer the calls right away; we left them a message and they responded really soon.”
 Spanish-speaking, family child care provider
“Communication within our staff is what makes it work...we have walkie [talkies], they communicate with me, and we know how to handle things. We know who the calm one is and who would panic.”
 English-speaking, center-based provider
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