Page 44 - Creating a Community of Resiliency

Preparedness and Response Readiness: Providers
Expectations of the R&R Agencies
The responses to this topic were mixed, with more of the FCC than center-based providers indicating that they expect information and support from the local R&R agencies during an emergency or natural disaster. Many of the providers in the center-based group indicated that they did not expect support or information from the R&R during an emergency or natural disaster, but that their involvement in the current focus groups had changed that perspective. Participants in the focus groups offered their thoughts on how the R&R agencies could support early care and education providers during an emergency, including a temporary site after an emergency, community resources, informational and 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.
“To help us find a temporary place to take our kids in case our daycare is affected.”
 Spanish-speaking, family child care provider
“As a call-in site for information about what is happening in your district. Let them tell us where to
go. Who still has water on, physical resources, nurse, first aid kit, etc.?”
 English-speaking, center-based provider
“Network the centers so they know who other providers in the community are. Providers can be competitive sometimes, so having someone to bring us together to learn more about disaster preparedness and how we can help each other.”
 English-speaking, center-based provider
“Providers would like to be able to call the Resource and Referral office for help during an emergency or natural disaster. They would like the R&R to provide them with the latest updates on the disaster such as earthquake or storm. They also hope that through their R&R they can let parents know to come and pick up their children. For example, providers can give the R&R the parent contact information and evacuation location to have on file and then the provider can call the R&R and the R&R then contacts the parents during the emergency.”
 Chinese-speaking, family child care provider
Emergency Kits
At the end of the focus group, the early care and education providers were given the opportunity to explore three emergency preparedness supply toolkits: a small fanny pack, a medium-sized back pack, and a bucket. They found value in all three of the kits and indicated that it would be most helpful to have all three available: the fanny pack for portability, the backpack to keep in the center, and the bucket to keep outdoors because it could withstand the elements of weather. Table 8 presents their feedback regarding the three different kits and their contents.
Creating a Community of Resiliency | 30