Maternal and Child Health Providers

The content within this Web page is intended for health care providers who regularly care for maternal and child health populations as well as any health care provider who may be required to care for these populations following an emergency or mass casualty event. There are also sub-sections of links below specifically for pediatric providers as well as school nurses. These links will connect you with current information and guidance from national professional organizations.

• Emergency Preparedness and Response: Pregnant Women and Newborns
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a history of preparing for and responding to the needs of women and infants before, during, and after disaster events. This includes working in settings where disasters have occurred and developing information for pregnant women and their health care providers. This site focuses on several of the emergency preparedness and response resources developed by the CDC.

• State Emergency Planning and Preparedness Recommendations for Maternal and Child Health Populations
• The Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP) developed this online guide to ensure the needs of women and children are clearly addressed as part of statewide emergency preparedness. AMCHP members can use this guide to clarify their role in developing and participating in emergency preparedness plans and activities and to aid in advocating for the needs of this population.

• Women and Infants Service Package
• These guidelines are a framework for the minimum and initial actions needed to respond to the essential health care needs of pregnant women, new mothers, fragile newborns, and infants in a crisis or emergency. They include general information, rationale, activities and actions, recommended equipment and supplies, and a monitoring and surveillance component.

• International Lactation Consultant Association - Position on Infant Feeding in Emergencies
• Single-page position paper on infant feeding during emergencies.

For Pediatric Providers

• The Pediatrician and Disaster Preparedness - American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
• Six-page policy statement reprint article from AAP.

• Psychosocial Implications of Disaster or Terrorism on Children: A Guide for the Pediatrician - American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
• In this report, specific children's responses to disaster are outlined. Advice is given for pediatricians regarding risk factors for adverse reactions and how to handle children's reactions to disaster.

• CHILDisaster NETWORK - American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
• The CHILDisaster Network is specifically designed to make people available on call to any legitimate relief organization in the world wanting child health assistance in a disaster.

• Reactions and Guidelines for Children Following Trauma/Disaster - American Psychological Association
• Guidelines for what reactions to expect in students as well as teachers following a traumatic event and what teachers and parents can do to help.

• Emergency Medical Services for Children Resource Center of Minnesota - Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters
• This packet outlines what is known about the impact of violence and disasters on children and adolescents. Fact sheets provide advice about steps to take to minimize long-term emotional harm.

• Pediatric Terrorism and Disaster Preparedness: A Resource for Pediatricians - Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
• This new comprehensive report serves as a practical resource that pediatricians can consult in planning for and responding to natural disasters and bioterrorist events.

For School Nurses

National Association of School Nurses (NASN)

• Position Statement - Disaster Preparedness: School Nurse Role (PDF, 53KB, 3pg.)
• This position statement advocates for school nurse involvement in all phases of preparedness planning in schools.

• Position Statement - School Nurse Role in Bioterrorism Emergency Preparedness and Response (PDF, 59KB, 3pg.)
• This position statement outlines the school nurse role as a first responder in the event of a mass casualty emergency, including bioterrorism, and covers recommended training and partnership with local emergency planning committees for maximum effectiveness.

• Disaster Preparedness - Guidelines for School Nurses
• These guidelines help school nurses understand their role in preparing for disasters and major emergencies.