Under the President’s Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children, the Subcommittee on Children in Emergencies and Disasters (SCED) recognized a critical need: a clear, practical tool to help communities safeguard children’s health in the aftermath of disasters.
That’s why the Children’s Environmental Health Post-Disaster Assessment Toolkit was created. Written, tested, and published by the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR),this toolkit offers a step-by-step process for identifying and addressing the environmental dangers kids may face after disaster events.
Why It Matters
Wildfires, hurricanes, floods, and other emergencies can leave behind serious environmental hazards. And children are especially vulnerable because their bodies are still developing, their behaviors can increase exposure, and they rely on adults to help keep them safe.
To meet that challenge, emergency management and environmental health professionals across all levels of government need a reliable, consistent way to spot and reduce risks for kids after disasters. This toolkit delivers exactly that.
How To Use
The toolkit helps communities:
- Engage effectively with families and local partners
- Identify environmental hazards that pose the greatest threats to children
- Prioritize actions to reduce exposure
- Strengthen long-term resilience for kids after disaster
Together, these outcomes support a clear mission: reducing environmental health risks for children when they need protection most.