Partnership with Child Care Aware of America
Minnesota was one of three states selected to receive a Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies as Resilience Hubs grant from Child Care Aware® of America as part of a pilot project to support emergency preparedness efforts.
The pilot project also coincided with efforts at the state level to create a child care emergency plan. The new plan addresses administering temporary child care services during and after a disaster, and temporary operating, health, safety, and licensing standards.
Three pilot project objectives:
- Increase preparedness awareness, training, and resources for Child Care Aware agencies
- Increase preparedness awareness, training, and resources for child care providers
- Build and strengthen relationships with community preparedness organizations
Requirements
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) requires all Minnesota licensed child care programs to complete a Child Care Emergency Plan. Find out more using the following resources:
Child Care Aware of Minnesota offers several trainings to help programs increase their knowledge of emergency preparedness and become familiar with writing an emergency plan.
Child Care Emergencies: Be Prepared Course #: 155450
Identify the risks and hazards that may affect your child care program. Examine the nine national best practices for creating strong emergency plans to protect the children in your care. Create a written emergency plan specific for your program and an action plan for communicating and maintaining your emergency plan. (6.0 hour training, KCF area: VIIB)
Child Care Emergencies: Taking a Look Course #166711
Identify the risks and hazards that may affect your child care program and examine the best practices for protecting the children in your care. Review the emergency plans and discuss communicating, maintaining, and practicing your emergency plan. (2.0 hour training, KCF area: VIIB)
This course is also available as an online course through Anytime Learning (Course #172113).
After Disaster or Trauma: Emotional and Social Supports Children Need Course # 176640
Discover how to provide the social-emotional support that young children need following a disaster or traumatic experience. Learn how young children react to a disaster and what children need when trauma happens. Recognize the link between social-emotional competence and resilience. Learn three focus areas for providing support to children who have experienced trauma or disaster and strategies for teaching five core skills that build resilience and reinforce coping skills for a lifetime. (2.0 hour, KCF area: IIC)
To find additional trainings, search for “Child Care Emergencies” on Develop.
- Keeping Kids Safe
- MN Child Care Emergency Plan template
- Is Your Child Care Program Prepared
- The Implementation Plan for 2017 Legislative Changes Impacting Licensed Family Child Care
- The Guidance Document for 2017 Legislative Changes Impacting Child Care Centers
- Minnesota State Child Care Emergency Plan