Pediatric Disaster Preparedness Starts in the Medical Home

Published May 29, 2025

What is a pediatric medical home? A pediatric medical home provides comprehensive primary care, fostering partnerships among patients, clinicians, medical staff, and families. It goes beyond the confines of a traditional primary care practice and encompasses many sources of care. Primary care providers serve as the first point of contact for individuals seeking medical assistance and can include pediatricians, specialists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other healthcare professionals.

The pediatric medical home plays a vital role in disaster readiness by providing a familiar and trusted healthcare setting, personalized emergency plans for children with medical complexities, restoring access to routine comprehensive medical care after a disaster, and addressing the emotional and psychological difficulties of disasters for children.

While the medical home does not refer to a specific building or place, it is a central resource for all the child’s healthcare needs. This knowledge and access to a patient’s medical background, as well as their relationships with families, make them essential in ensuring that children’s unique healthcare needs are met during and after a disaster.

Whether you are a pediatrician, family care provider, or community health nurse, you may be a medical home for a child and their family. Are you and your medical home disaster-ready?

Help spread the word about the role of Medical Homes in Disaster Preparedness:

Social Media Graphics:

Sample Social Media Copy

Social Media Copy #1:

A pediatric medical home is more than just a visit to the doctor – it’s a comprehensive approach to ensure every child receives the personalized care they need! This means better health outcomes and a brighter future for our little ones. Learn More: https://bit.ly/PPNMedicalHome

Social Media Copy #2:

The pediatric medical home plays a crucial role in disaster preparedness. Why? These trusted healthcare hubs empower families with personalized emergency plans tailored to the unique needs of every child, helping to ease the burden on hospitals during crises.  Learn more: https://bit.ly/PPNMedicalHome

Social Media Copy #3:

Disaster Preparedness starts with the medical home. As a pediatrician, family care provider, or community health nurse, you play a vital role in being a trusted medical home for children and their families. Let’s ensure we’re ready together! Learn More: https://bit.ly/PPNMedicalHome

Social Media Copy #4: 

A pediatric medical home is your partner in both everyday care and emergencies. From personalized health plans to disaster prep, the medical home keeps kids safe, families supported, and hospitals less overwhelmed. Ready to make a difference? Learn more: https://bit.ly/PPNMedicalHome

Hashtags: #MedicalHome #AAP #PPNStayReady