The National Commission on Children and Disasters Long-Term Disaster Recovery Workshop

The National Commission on Children and Disasters hosted a Long-Term Disaster Recovery Workshop which explored challenges and solutions that impact the unique needs of children following a disaster.

This one day forum was attended by over 150 federal, state, Tribal, local, and non-governmental partners which informed the Commission as it prepares its next report to the President and Congress, due October, 2010.

Long-Term Disaster Recovery Workshop agenda (PDF 48KB)
Opening Remarks by Commission Vice-Chairperson Michael Anderson, M.D. (PDF 20KB)
Keynote Address by Department of Housing and Urban Development Deputy Secretary Ron Sims (PDF 53KB)

Fact Sheet: Barriers to Information Sharing and Data Collection (PDF 35KB)
Fact Sheet: Provision of Mental Health Services to Children (PDF 31KB)
Fact Sheet: Children's Access to Primary Health Care (PDF 37KB)

The day concluded with a plenary session and reported out findings and strategies which will be incorporated into the work of the Commission.

Report: Barriers to Information Sharing and Data Collection (PPT 215KB)
Report: Provision of Mental Health Services to Children (PPT 223KB)
Report: Children's Access to Primary Health Care (PPT 194KB)

Commission Delivers Interim Report to President and Congress

Click image to view Interim Report in PDF format
To view Interim Report in text-only format

The Interim Report identifies several shortcomings in disaster preparedness, response and recovery and provides recommendations designed to make children an immediate priority in disaster planning. The Commission is calling on the President and Congress to enact sweeping changes to end the cycle of "benign neglect" of children in disaster planning and management.

The Commission's next public meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 2, 2010 in Washington, D.C.