Disaster Resources

The mission of the California Department of Social Services is to serve, aid, and protect needy and vulnerable children and adults in ways that strengthen and preserve families, encourage personal responsibility, and foster independence. When providers are impacted by natural disasters and catastrophic events, the result can be detrimental to the communities they serve.

HOW TO PLAN FOR EMERGENCIES & DISASTERS
A Step-by-Step Guide for California Child Care Providers
(Developed by the University of California San Francisco Child Care Health Program with funding from the California Department of Education)

Fire and Public Safety Power Shutoff Help and Information

Please contact your local child care licensing Regional Office if your facility has been impacted by the fires in any way.

• Power Outage and Fire Recovery Resources
• Public Safety Power Shutoffs Resource Guide
• Public Safety Power Shutoffs and Wildfire Emergencies

The below link contains the most up to date information available for evacuations, shelters, and recovery efforts as a result of recent wildfires impacting Child Care Facilities across the state.
Disaster Help Center

Resources for Californians Affected by Disasters:

California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Community Care Licensing Division:

• PIN 25-04-CCLD - Fee Waivers In Response To The January 2025 Fires And Windstorm Conditions In Los Angeles And Ventura Counties
• PIN 25-02-CCP - Governor's Proclamation of a State of Emergency and Implementation of Waivers 
• PIN 25-01-CCLD - Winter Storm Preparedness has helpful resources for any disaster.
• PIN 24-06-CCLD - Everbridge Notification System to Notify Licensees and Providers of Disasters and Emergencies.
• PIN 23-13-CCLD - Preparation for Extreme Heat, Public Safety Power Shutoffs, and Wildfire Emergencies.
• Regional Office Telephone numbers
• Child Care Disaster Resources Webpage
• California Department of Social Services (CDSS)

California Department of Public Health (CDPH): 

• CDPH https://www.cdph.ca.gov/
• CDPH School Health Hub https://schools.cdph.ca.gov/
• Wildfires and children’s health wildfire facts and wildfire smoke and children.

Health:

• Wildfires Fact Sheet UCSF
• Direct Relief International: works globally and locally to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty and emergencies by providing essential medical resources to healthcare providers.
• Air Quality Now
• EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency): Air Quality Resource
• Wildfires and Children’s Health Resources

Mental Health/Emotional well-being:

• AAP Talking to Children About Tragedies & Other News Events
• AAP How to Support Your Child's Resilience in a Time of Crisis
• AAP Responding to Children's Emotional Needs During Times of Crisis
• AAP Wildfires: Information for Parents
• Children and Disaster Information
• Support for emotional well-being
• And Building Resilience, a part of CalHOPE Schools, is a free film with classroom and home resources to discuss feelings of anxiety, share coping strategies, and find hope and resilience. You can view Angst: Building Resilience and other resources at calhopeschools.org.
• The California MAP to Inclusion and Belonging: Visit the Coping with Trauma Resources website is at https://cainclusion.org/camap/resources-and-links/coping-with-trauma-a-collection-of-resources/.  
• National Child Trauma Stress Network: For resources to help children, families, and communities navigate what they are seeing and hearing, and finding ways to cope together.
• Office of the Head Start: For information on Helping Children Cope After a Disaster, visit the Office of Head Start Early Childhood and Learning Center website at.  
• National Disaster Distress Helpline: Provides 24/7 crisis counseling via call or text for individuals affected by traumatic events or disasters.

Cleaning up after a Fire:

• CDPH: Information on wildfire ash cleanup, Safe Cleanup of Ash
• CDPH: Protecting Your Health from Wildfire Smoke & Ash
• Red Cross Cleaning Up After a Fire
• County of LA Public Health: How to Clean Up Smoke and Soot from a Fire Health Fact Sheet
• Reduce Exposure to Ash When Returning Home After a Wildfire
• Returning to a Child Care Facility After a Wildfire
• CalRecycle – Wildfire Cleanup Information for Homeowners

 Temporary Housing: 

• Cal OES (Governor’s Office of Emergency Services): Wildfire recovery housing assistance.

Food:

• Foodpantries.org

Financial:

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): For business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585 TTY.” 
• Disaster Unemployment Assistance
• California Fire Foundation – Supplying Aid to Victims of Emergency (SAVE)
• The United States (U.S.) Small Business Administration: Visit the U.S. Small Business Administration to learn more about their disaster loans programs.
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Visit the LIHEAP website to learn more about assistance for eligible low-income households to meet their immediate home heating and/or cooling needs.
• California LifeLine: Visit the California LifeLine program for information on discounted home phone and cell phone services to qualified households.
• California Office of the Small Business Advocate maintains this resource page: Disaster Resources | Outsmart Disaster
• Home Grown: Home-Based Child Care (HBCC) emergency fund for severe weather and national disaster response.
  • Get immediate cash assistance to home-based child care providers and caregivers.
  • Meet immediate health, safety and personal needs for child care providers.
  • Ensure funds support personal expenses and damage to homes and contents of homes (that will not be paid for by other reimbursements or insurance).
  • Lift learning and insight to support short- and long-term policy efforts.

For the most up-to date information on the status of disasters:

• CalFire– Statewide fire conditions and updates

OTHER RESOURCES:

• Fires: Know your risk
• Plan to evacuate
• The Governor’s 2025 Los Angeles Fires Resources Website: For information related to the LA Fires disaster, including Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)assistance, insurance, and other disaster resources.
• California Resource & Referral (R&R) Agency: Please contact your local R&R for information on available resources.
• California Health and Human Services (CHHS) Emergency Response Guide
• LAFD Foundation: Supports the Los Angeles Fire Department by funding essential equipment, training, and public outreach programs, enhancing the department’s emergency response capabilities.
• Save the Children: Disaster relief.
• California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
• Listos: Through Listos California, individuals throughout the community can find wildfire-specific resources, sign up for emergency alerts, download personal preparedness planning guides, and access resources in multiple languages. Please visit: https://www.listoscalifornia.org/disaster-readiness/
• Sesame Street Workshop: Preparing for Emergencies