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Apply To Become a Part of the National Advisory Committee on Children and Disasters (NACCD)


Opening Date: October 22, 2026
Applications Due:  November 22, 2026 

Do you want to help protect our nation's children during public health emergencies and disasters? 

The National Advisory Committee on Children and Disasters (NACCD) offers an opportunity to contribute your expertise to ensure that the unique disaster health needs of children are understood and addressed during and after disasters and public health emergencies. 

By joining this committee, you can influence national policies and programs that directly address the unique challenges that children face before, during, and after emergencies.  

Authority

The National Advisory Committee on Children and Disasters (NACCD) is required by section 2811A of the Public Health Service Act (PHS) (42 U.S.C. § 300hh-10b), as amended, by the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act (PAHPAIA), Public Law No. 116-22.  The NACCD is governed by the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), Public Law 92-463, as amended (5 USC § 1001 et seq.).   

Description of Duties

The NACCD evaluates issues and programs and provides findings, advice, and recommendations to the Secretary of HHS and the Administrator and Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). 

NACCD strengthens risk-informed public health and medical preparedness, response, and recovery efforts so that children receive developmentally and socially appropriate support across the full spectrum of their physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being. Specifically, the NACCD:  

  • Strengthens preparedness for children at the state and community level by providing advice and consultation with respect to state emergency preparedness and response activities relating to children, including related drills and exercises pursuant to the preparedness goals under the National Health Security Strategy authorized under section 2802(b) of the PHS Act.   

  • Evaluates the medical and public health needs of children in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery using a risk-informed approach. 

  • Provided guidance on investments to HHS senior leaders, including the Secretary of HHS and the Administrator and Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. NACCD members may be asked to advise on medical and public health grants and cooperative agreements applicable to emergency preparedness and response. 

Please keep in mind appointees to the committee will be onboarded as unpaid special government employees and will be required to: (a) complete financial disclosures of conflicts of interest required for ethics clearance; and (b) make a 3-year time commitment, which includes attending at least two public meetings per year in person in the Washington DC area (travel reimbursed), and occasional administrative meetings (virtual).   

Membership and Designation  

Members shall be appointed by the HHS Secretary from among the nation’s preeminent scientific, public health, and medical experts in areas consistent with the purpose and functions 2 of the advisory committee.  The HHS Secretary, in consultation with such other heads of federal agencies as may be appropriate, shall appoint a maximum of 25 members to the NACCD, ensuring that the total membership is an odd number.  The NACCD shall consist of at least 13 non-federal voting members, including the Chairperson, including:  

  • At least 2 non-federal professionals with expertise in pediatric medical disaster planning, preparedness, response, or recovery; 

  • At least 2 representatives from state, local, tribal, or territorial agencies with expertise in pediatric disaster planning, preparedness, response, or recovery;  

  • At least 4 members representing health care professionals, which may include members with expertise in pediatric emergency medicine; pediatric trauma, critical care, or surgery; the treatment of pediatric patients affected by chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear agents, including emerging infectious diseases; pediatric mental or behavioral health related to children affected by a public health emergency; or pediatric primary care; and  

Other members as the Secretary determines appropriate, of whom—  

  • At least one such member shall represent a children’s hospital;  

  • At least one such member shall be an individual with expertise in schools or childcare settings; 

  • At least one such member shall be an individual with expertise in children and youth with special health care needs; and

  • At least one such member shall be an individual with expertise in the needs of parents or family caregivers, including the parents or caregivers of children with disabilities.  

The NACCD shall also have up to 12 federal, non-voting members (ex officio), including the following officials or their designees:  

  • The Administrator and Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response;  

  • The Director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority;  

  • The Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;  

  • The Commissioner of Food and Drugs; 

  • The Director of the National Institutes of Health;  

  • The Assistant Secretary of the Administration for Children and Families;  

  • The Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration; 

  • The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency;  

  • The Administrator of the Administration for Community Living;  

  • The Secretary of Education; and  

  • Representatives from such federal agencies (such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security) as the Secretary determines appropriate to fulfill the duties of the Advisory Committee.   

Additional Information

Additional information on duties and membership is available in National Advisory Committee on Children and Disasters Charter. To learn more about the board and its work, see the National Advisory Committee on Children and Disasters site.  

Questions?

For additional information, contact Zhoowan Jackson, Designated Federal Official, NACCD, ASPR, HHS, at NACCD@hhs.gov.  

Apply Today!  

Apply by completing our two-step application process by October 30, 2026:  

  1. Step 1:

    Complete our Online Form.

  2. Step 2:

    Email NACCD@hhs.gov with the subject line “Application for the National Advisory Committee on Children and Disasters: [Insert your name]. Attach the required documentation to your email: 1) a cover letter; 2) curriculum vitae or résumé; and 3) one professional recommendation.

Apply Today!