Helping Kids Deal With Hurricanes/Floods
• Try and keep routines as normal as possible. Kids gain security from the predictability of routine, including attending school.
• Limit exposure to television and the news.
• Be honest with kids and share with them as much information as they are developmentally able to handle.
• Listen to kids’ fears and concerns.
• Parents and adults need to first deal with and assess their own responses to crisis and stress.
• Rebuild and reaffirm attachments and relationships.
Resources
ASCA Resources
Magazine article: Bouncing Back
Magazine article: Lend a Hand
Magazine article: Support Traumatized Students
Magazine article: From Crisis Comes Opportunity
Webinar: Counseling Kids in Crisis
View the webinar
Webinar: Infusing a Caring Climate in Your School
View the webinar
Webinar: Supporting Students After Crisis and Loss
View the webinar
American Red Cross
Flood Safety Tips
Hurricane Preparedness Resources
National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement
Support in the Aftermath of Hurricane Harvey
Save the Children
Helping Kids Cope With Hurricane Harvey
American Academy of Pediatrics
Hurricanes, Tornadoes and Storms
The American Psychological Association (APA) Health Center
Managing Traumatic Stress: After the Tornadoes
Manage Flood-Related Distress by Building Resilience
Strengthening Your Emotional Well-Being Ahead of the Flood
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
Helping Young Children After a Hurricane
Hurricanes
For Parents and Caregivers/Hurricanes
Floods
Simple Activities for Children and Adolescents
AASA: The School Superintendents Assocation
Hurricane Resources
National Association of School Psychologists
Helping Children After a Natural Disaster
Ready.gov
Helping Children Cope
FEMA
US Department of Education
Advice on how to help students recover from traumatic events.
Center for Mental Health in Schools at UCLA
FEMA
FEMA for Kids
Helping Children Cope With Disaster
PBS.org - Talking With Kids About the News
Develop strategies for discussing today's headlines with chlldren. Learn how to calm their fears and stimulate their minds.
Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration
Disaster Distress Hotline
The Child Mind Institute
How to Help Children Cope With Frightening News
Crisis Management Institute
Sample Documents and Publications
Culturally Competent Crisis Response: Information for Crisis Teams
This document talks about the importance of delivering culturally competent crisis responses in our changing society. Although written for school psychologists, this document provides and excellent resource for school counselors in giving strategies and tips for effective crisis response planning and implementing.
Help for the Helpers
Help for Caregivers/Parents
Suggested Publications
Books for Kids:
“A Terrible Thing Happened”
Margaret M. Holmes
ISBN # 1-57759-696-X
Dalmation Press
, P.O. Box 682068,
Franklin, TN 37068-2068
“Reactions”
Allison Salloum
Centering Corporation
, Chicago, Illinois
“Why Did it Happen?”
Janice Cohen
(1994
)
Morrow Junior Books,
New York, NY
Books for Parents:
“Children and Trauma: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Children Heal”
Josey-Bass
, San Francisco, CA
“The Scared Child: Helping Kids Overcome Traumatic Events”
John Wiley,
New York, New York
Professional Publications:
“About Traumatic Experiences”
Joy Berry
(1990)
Children’s Press,
Chicago, IL
The Scared Child: Helping Kids Overcome Traumatic Events
Barbara Brooks, Paula M. Siegel, (1996)
John Wiley, New York, NY.
Here are detailed instructions, based on professional techniques, to encourage kids of any age—from toddler to teenager—to reveal their feelings through words, drawings, and role playing with step-by-step advice for reassuring them and helping them let go of their fear.