Para ver esta página en
español
Emergency Preparedness
Disaster Recovery Guidebook
COVID-19
Resources for Families with CSHCN
In Texas, disasters can strike
quickly and without warning. It’s important to know what types of emergencies
are likely to affect your area. As a family of a child with special needs,
planning for an emergency is critical. You and your loved ones could be
anywhere when it happens – at work, at school, or in the car.
Every Family Needs an Emergency Plan
Planning with your family before a disaster is the best way keep everyone safe. Think about what kinds of daily supplies, medicines, and help your family needs. Think about how you would make it on your own for
at least three days. Remember to include all family members and pets when you make your plan.
What does your family and child with a disability need in an
emergency?
Every situation is different, and each child has individual needs. To get started, here are questions to
think about:
- Depending on the
disaster and personal needs, will you:
- Stay and shelter-in-place;
- Go to a public
shelter; or
- Somewhere else?
- Plan for all possibilities.
- How will family members
communicate if separated and local phone service is unavailable?
- Have you
discussed emergency planning with your child’s health care providers?
- Did you pre-register with 2-1-1
if you need help to evacuate?
- Are there supplies that need
refrigeration?
- Is there equipment that
requires electricity? Have you notified the utility company?
- What service animals or pets supplies do you need? By law, public shelters must allow service animals.
- Download
a Disaster Supply Checklist for a full list of items you might need in a
disaster.
Besides survival basics-food, water, first aid, and tools-you may want to include:
- An Emergency Information Form
with a list of your child’s current doctors, pharmacy, and phone numbers.
- A list and two-week supply of
all current prescription and non-prescription medicines, if possible.
- Two weeks of medical supplies
such as:
- Oxygen;
- Syringes;
- Catheters;
- Formula; and
- Other nutritional products.
- Important documents stored on a CD, flash drive, or phone app like:
- Medical records;
- Health insurance cards;
- Prescriptions; and
- Personal
identification.
- Keep paper copies in
a waterproof bag.
- Extra batteries or chargers
for hearing aids, wheelchairs, and other essentials.
- Personal care and hygiene items.
- Items to calm and entertain
your child.
Other
things to consider in planning for an emergency:
- Register for the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) Program under the Texas Division of Emergency Management. This free,
public registry provides local emergency planners and responders
with information during emergencies.
- Visit your local fire and
police departments. Tell them about your child. Invite them to your home to
meet your child and give you emergency tips.
- If you are separated from your
family at the time of the disaster, do you have a meeting place? Pick one place
in your neighborhood and one place outside of your neighborhood.
- Make a list of family, friends,
and others in your support network.
- Include a relative or friend in
another area who would not be in the same emergency and would be able
to help, if needed.
- Check medication expiration dates in your emergency kit to avoid spoiling.
Additional Resources:
External links are
informational and do not have the endorsement of the Texas Department of State
Health Services. Please email TitleV@dshs.texas.gov for more information
about Children
with Special Health Care Needs, Title V Maternal and
Child Health, maternal and child health in Texas,
or call 512-776-7373.