7/1/2003 -- Disaster planning must address the particular needs of children, the National Advisory Committee on Children and Terrorism recommends.
The committee was convened to develop a public health strategy to ensure the safety of America's children and to meet their physical, medical, psychological, and social needs in case of terrorist attacks involving biological, chemical, or nuclear weapons.
The committee -- which includes Brenda Z. Greene, director of school health programs at NSBA -- submitted its recommendations June 6 to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy G. Thompson.
"While significant resources have been dedicated to the protection of bridges, national monuments, and other physical assets, comparatively little has been done to safeguard the health and well-being of children," says committee Chair Angela Diaz, director of the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center.
Among the report's school-related recommendations:
• Pediatric disaster drills should be conducted annually in every school in partnership with school organizations, response agencies, government authorities, and youth groups.
• Clear, concise, and situation-specific guidance should be developed for parents, caregivers, and teachers to help children cope with terrorism and disasters.
• Federally funded terrorism initiatives should promote effective linkages among school districts, state education agencies, schools, public health agencies, and emergency preparedness organizations.
• HHS should collaborate with the Education Department to promote partnerships at the federal, state, and local levels to ensure that schools are fully integrated into preparedness response, recovery, and mitigation efforts.