Appendix D: Children's Programs At-a-Glance

Overview 
 

How to Use These Summary Sheets

This section provides a brief overview of potential environmental health impacts that may affect each type of children's program.

Types & Definitions

The Types and Definitions section provides descriptions of the different categories and subtypes of children's programs commonly found in communities. These include Child Care, Education, Health, Protection & Juvenile Justice, and Youth & Community Services. Each category outlines the range of services, typical settings, and populations served to help assessment teams understand the diverse landscape of children's services they may encounter and to support consistent documentation. Use these definitions as a reference when identifying programs in the field, categorizing them in your reporting, or communicating with partners who may use different terminology.

Partners

Partners at the local, state, federal, and non-governmental levels all play important roles in disaster recovery. Recovery is locally led, state-managed, and federally supported with non-governmental organizations contributing critical expertise, services, and resources. The lists in this section highlight examples of partners who may be invited to take part in assessment activities or discussions about environmental health risks to children. These lists are not exhaustive. Other state, tribal, territorial, or local organizations may also be involved based on the community's needs and context. All links were active when this guide was published, but they may change over time. If a link is broken or you need more information, try using a web search to find updated or related resources.

Methods of Engagement

The Methods of Engagement section offers practical strategies to help assessment teams connect with and learn from the individuals and organizations that deliver children's services. Each method is tailored to the specific type of program and accounts for operational realities, workforce capacity, and the diversity of service models. The goal is to create flexible opportunities for providers to share concerns, describe post-disaster impacts, and identify emerging needs. Use this section to guide your planning and outreach, choosing the approaches that best fit the provider types present in the community. Combining multiple methods such as surveys, focus groups, and partner-led outreach can improve participation, ensure a wider range of perspectives, and build trust with providers who may be unfamiliar with disaster assessment processes.

Considerations

The Considerations section highlights important context and operational details about each type of children's program. These notes are designed to help assessment teams understand the broader environment in which programs operate, including potential barriers to participation, regulatory frameworks, and common disaster-related challenges. Use this section to inform your planning, tailor your outreach, and anticipate the types of support or coordination that might be needed. Understanding these nuances can strengthen partnerships and ensure that assessments are both respectful of program operations and responsive to real-world conditions.