Page 9 - Creating a Community of Resiliency
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in the working sessions, with a much more varied group of suggested partners. When asked about how well providers are prepared, results suggested that those who have state or federal funding (e.g., Head Start) may be more prepared compared with private centers, family child care homes, and license-exempt providers.
When asked about their readiness to play a major role in creating a community of response and resiliency, responses indicated that the interest exists at the R&R agencies. However, challenges also exist, such as lack of technology (robo-call or robo-text to connect with many providers or parents at once), coordination, a lead person, and funding. The strengths that exist at the R&R agencies serve as a solid foundation for this work. These include an extensive reach across all of Los Angeles County, the R&R agencies’ training experience with providers, their niche as the
Executive Summary
only group to have a long-standing and trusted relationship with these providers (including the license-exempt providers), and the Gateways for Early Educators program (a training program for providers to earn a certificate for participating in specific trainings, including health, safety, and nutrition).
Provider Focus Groups
A recurring theme in the surveys, focus groups, working sessions, and training workshops was the thirst for more information. Early childhood educators want more workshops and want them repeated. They want better information on psychological preparedness and types of emergencies for which they feel less prepared.
When early care and education providers participated in focus groups, it became clear that they are experienced in a variety of emergencies, with earthquake, fire, and lockdown being the most common. The Spanish-speaking providers cited the greatest variety of emergencies. Although many providers stated that they have good communication with staff and parents, and that they have a plan and practice it, many others stated that these areas are lacking and they need help. They specifically stated they do not feel prepared for terrorist attacks, explosions, kidnapping, restraining orders, and natural disasters such as tornados and hurricanes. Providers stated they wanted more of the following:
Individualized trainings at their home/center
Information on videos
More trainings/refresher trainings
Information on how to prepare psychologically for emergencies
Training on communication with parents
Early care and education providers had a number of creative ideas on how to get parents involved in emergency preparedness at the child care site: hold meetings and training workshops for parents with emergency personnel and the R&R staff, conduct a drill at
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