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Resources
compiled by Lisa Cook-Gordon, January 9, 2006
New emergency
preparedness resources include specifics for Michigan children
and adults with special needs:
The Family Preparedness Guide helps families/young adults learn
what to do before, during and after an emergency; create an
emergency plan; prepare an emergency supply kit; and contact
specific agencies for information.
The Emergency Preparedness Care Plan outlines critical
information related to a child's/youth's medical condition plus
treatment information, including medications and equipment. It
is due out in May 2006.
Distribution of both is a joint effort of the Michigan
Department of Community Health (MDCH) Office of Health
Preparedness (OHP), the Michigan State Police (MSP) Emergency
Management Division, and MDCH's Parent Participation Program, a
section of the Children's Special Health Care Services (CSHCS)
program. The agencies are developing, identifying and
coordinating distribution of resources helpful to families in
planning for their child's/young adult's medical needs in an
event of a disaster or emergency.
Individuals may request a print copy the guide and care plan by
phoning the CSHCS Family Phone Line at 1-800-359-3722.
Professionals should reach CSHCS at (313) 456-4381. For more
Michigan emergency preparedness information, reach Marie
Milkovich, OHP Risk communications coordinator at (517)335-9723
or
milkovichm@michigan.gov.
Online resources that address special needs include:
Emergency Preparedness for Families of Children with Special
Needs (PDF) , a 10-page booklet by the Florida Institute for
Family Involvement (FIFI).
Harkin
Presses for Stronger Emergency Preparedness and Response for
People with Disabilities (Washington, D.C.) On Friday,
December 16th, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) introduced S. 2124, the
Emergency Preparedness and Response for Individuals with
Disabilities Act of 2005. (See
http://www.aapd.com/News/legislature/S2124.htm for Bill
details.) The legislation will address the needs of individuals
with disabilities in emergency planning and relief efforts.
"Hurricane Katrina's aftermath has shown us that we need to have
a better emergency response plan, especially one that includes
preparations for assisting people with disabilities," said
Harkin. "This bill is an important step to ensure that the needs
of disabled Americans will be addressed in case of an
emergency." Under this legislation, a Disability Coordinator
would be created in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security,
who will report directly to the Secretary. The Coordinator would
be responsible for:
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Working with
local, state and federal authorities about the needs of
individuals with disabilities in emergency planning and relief,
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Developing a
curriculum for first responder training on the needs of
individuals with disabilities,
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Ensure telephone
hotlines and websites containing information about evacuations
are accessible, and
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Provide guidance
about the rights of individuals with disabilities regarding post
evacuation residence and relocation, among other things.
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