Children often do not receive the support they need immediately following tragic events. The reasons include: parents are unable to provide support because they are physically or emotionally injured; parents are taken into custody by law enforcement; children don’t express their need for assistance; and emergency responders are preoccupied with the emergency situation.

(Examples of Actual Calls)

• Three small children are emotionally traumatized in a hospital emergency room after an auto accident in which their mother is killed.

• Four children are left alone when their parents are taken into custody after a drug raid.

• Two children witness a third child killed by a speeding Amtrak train.

• Fifteen children witness a man intentionally drive into their day care center killing two.

• An 8-year old child discovers his father died of a drug overdose.

• Thirty children witness a child crushed by a park bench at a YMCA park.

(Examples)

• Provide emotional comfort and support.

• Protect from on scene dangers (traffic, gruesome sights . . .)

• Provide “comfort bears,” coloring books and other comforting and reassuring materials.

• Explain emergency procedures in simple terms.

• Reassure traumatized parent(s) that their children are being cared for.

• Educate parent(s) and provide written materials about how to deal with children after a tragic event.

• Arrange for follow-up counseling for children.