7 Homeland 
ty Gra

uidelines and Application Kit 

(October 27, 2006

 

 

 

 

Fiscal Year 2010 

 

nt Program HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM 

 

 

) 
SUPPLEMENTAL RESOURCE: CHILDREN IN 
DISASTERS GUIDANCE 

 

 

 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY 

 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY 



 

CHILDREN IN DISASTERS GUIDANCE 

 

A. Children in Disasters Background and Mission 

Specific planning guidance on children is addressed in FEMA’s Interim Emergency 
Management Planning Guide for Special Needs Populations: Comprehensive Planning 
Guide 301. Although children are considered as a population among “at risk,” 
“vulnerable” or “special needs” populations, children under the age of 18 comprise 
nearly 25 percent of the U.S. population and have important and often complex planning 
and emergency response needs. Congress established the National Commission on 
Children and Disasters in 2008 to identify gaps in capabilities to meet the unique needs 
of children in Federal, State and local emergency preparedness, mitigation, response 
and recovery activities. The FY10 HSPG guidance includes specific language on 
children, with the objective of establishing a focused national effort to close the gap in 
planning and response deficiencies and ensure specific entities in communities that 
provide care for children, such as schools, child care facilities, child welfare and juvenile 
justice systems, are integrated into State and local disaster planning and exercising. 

Children have unique needs that must be addressed in emergency preparedness, 
mitigation, response and recovery operations. For example: 

. Children require different dosages of medications and different forms of medical 
and mental health interventions than those used by adults. 


. Decontamination of children is more time and resource intensive than adults. 


. Children’s developmental and cognitive levels may impede their ability to escape 
danger. Young children may not be able to communicate enough information to 
be identified and reunited with parents or caregivers. 


. Children may experience increased psychological effects as they may have 
difficulty comprehending disasters within the context of normal every day events. 
This may leave children unable to cope long after disasters and result in later 
consequences including depression, lack of focus and poor school performance 


. Children have specialized care requirements and equipment that limit the number 
of hospital facilities that may be prepared to handle an influx of pediatric disaster 
victims. 


. Critically sick or injured children may have specialized transportation needs. 


. Children’s safety in a disaster and their individual recovery is dependent on the 
preparedness, response and recovery capabilities and resources of a network of 
institutions, including schools, child care providers and other congregate care 
settings. 




FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate announced the creation of an internal "Children's 
Working Group" in August 2009, which will explore and implement planning and 
response strategies specific to children throughout DHS and ensure that the unique 
needs of children are not only considered, but fully integrated into FEMA’s emergency 


preparedness and response operations and activities. This emphasis aligns with the 
Interim Report recommendations of the National Commission on Children and Disasters 
found at http://www.childrenanddisasters.acf.hhs.gov. 

This supplement provides resources for grantees to incorporate children into their 
planning and purchase of equipment and supplies; provide training to a broad range of 
child-specific providers, agencies, and entities; and exercise capabilities relating to 
children, such as evacuation, sheltering and emergency medical care. 

 

B. Federal, State, Local, and Tribal Partnerships 

 

Partnerships are needed to effectively address critical gaps in tribal, local, state, and 
federal capabilities to address the needs of children in disasters. These partnerships 
must occur across numerous disciplines and include subject matter experts with 
knowledge on the physical health, mental health, nutrition, education and human 
services needs of children and families. Annex A illustrates the breadth and depth of 
projects and partnerships reflected in current national planning efforts surrounding 
children in disasters. 

 

C. Building Capabilities: Allowable Costs and Available Resources 

 

Funding from the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSP), Urban Area 
Security Initiative (UASI), and Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) 
programs can be used to enhance existing or establish new children-specific planning 
and preparedness initiatives. 

 

. Planning and Protocols: There are a number of resources to help grantees 
prepare for the unique needs of children: 




 

o Interim Emergency Management Planning Guide for Special Needs 
Populations: Comprehensive Planning Guide 301. Available from: 
http://www.fema.gov/pdf/media/2008/301.pdf. 




 

o The Unique Needs of Children in Emergencies, a Guide for the Inclusion 
of Children in Emergency Operations Plans: An emergency management 
guide prepared by Save the Children. Available from: 
http://www.savethechildren.org/publications/emergencies/Children-in-
Emergencies-Planning-Guide.pdf 




 

o Standards and Indicators for Disaster Shelter Care for Children (Annex B): 
This resource was developed through a collaborative effort including the 
National Commission on Children and Disasters, the American Red Cross 
and FEMA. The document is currently being piloted and will be revised, 
finalized and disseminated by Summer 2010, for adoption by the 
American Red Cross, National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters 
and the state and local emergency management communities. 




 


o Supplies for Infants and Toddlers in Mass Care Shelters and Emergency 
Congregate Care Facilities (Annex C): This resource was developed 
through a collaborative effort including the National Commission on 
Children and Disasters, American Academy of Pediatrics, Save the 
Children, American Red Cross and FEMA. 




 

o Equipment for Ambulances: A pediatric equipment list for Basic Life 
Support and Advanced Life Support vehicles, developed by American 
College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma, American College of 
Emergency Physicians, National Association of EMS Physicians Pediatric 
Equipment Guidelines Committee, Emergency Medical Services for 
Children Partnership for Children Stakeholder Group, and American 
Academy of Pediatrics. Available from: 
http://www.childrensnational.org/files/PDF/EMSC/PubRes/Equipment_for_
ambulances_FINAL.pdf 




 

o Decontamination of Children: Preparedness and Response for Hospital 
Emergency Departments. Available from: 
http://www.ahrq.gov/research/decontam.htm 




 

o Lessons Learned Information Sharing (LLIS.gov) also has a number of 
resources specific to children. 




 

. Training—FEMA is piloting a classroom/independent study course Mobile 
Course L366: Planning for Children in Disasters that can be delivered as G 
course by states, as an E course by the Emergency Management Institute (EMI). 




 

. Exercises— Exercises and drills should include objectives that test the 
jurisdiction’s ability to address the proportion of the jurisdiction’s population that 
is under the age of 18. For example, decontamination exercises should test the 
jurisdiction’s capability to decontaminate children in addition to adults, and 
address issues such as unaccompanied minors, protocols for toddlers and 
infants, children requiring acute care, children with limited English proficiency and 
disabled children, among others. 




 

DHS/FEMA will provide assistance with developing, designing and conducting 
exercises in compliance with Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program 
(HSEEP) methodology. The purpose of exercises support is to test equipment, 
training, polices and procedures. It is critically important that children be 
incorporated into exercise plans and target capabilities. 

 

During FY 2010, FEMA’s Children’s Working Group will continue to refine and 
expand program offerings and technical assistance, as well as expand its State, 
local and tribal stakeholder partnerships to coordinate the incorporation of children 
into base plans, programs and services to enhance our capabilities to meet the 
needs of families and children. 


Annex A: Child- and Family-Centric Preparedness, Planning, Training, 
Exercise, and Equipment Procurement Activities 

 

Preparedness 

Planning 

Training 

Exercise 

Equipment 

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 
Overarching activities and those that build on existing child-centric planning, response, and recovery 
efforts 

Comprehensively integrate the needs of 
children into disaster planning activities 
and operations. Plans should be based on 
specific demographics of the child 
population and their age-based needs 

x 

x 

x 

x 

 

. Develop an accurate assessment—
an informed estimate of the number 
and types children residing in the 
jurisdiction. Emergency planners 
should base their assessments on 
lists and information collected from 
multiple relevant sources wherein 
children are represented, such as 
schools, day care centers, summer 
camps, juvenile detention facilities, 
child welfare facilities, and homeless 
shelters, among others. (CPG 301) 




x 

x 

 

 

 

. Incorporate children into EOP and 
other base plans 




 

x 

 

 

 

. Train and exercise EOP and other 
base plans 




 

 

x 

x 

 

Develop local and state recovery 
strategies addressing the immediate and 
long-term health, mental health, 
educational, housing and human services 
recovery needs of children 

x 

x 

x 

x 

 

. Increase public awareness and 
education efforts to inform families 
about resources available for 
children after disasters 




x 

 

 

 

 

MENTAL HEALTH 
Activities that promote overall resilience and address disaster-specific mental health needs 

Integrate mental and behavioral health for 
children into public and medical 
preparedness and response activities 

x 

x 

x 

x 

 

. Incorporate mental and behavioral 
health principles into communication 
strategies 




x 

x 

 

 

 

. Develop special messages targeted 
to parents and other caregivers to 
support children coping with a 
disaster 




x 

 

 

x 

 

. Conduct joint exercises that include 
realistic mental and behavioral 
health challenges to the exercise 
scenario 




 

 

 

x 

 




Provide pediatric disaster mental and 
behavioral health training for 
professionals and paraprofessionals 

 

 

x 

 

 

. Provide specialized education and 
training in disaster mental health 
and/or psychological first aid to 
emergency responders and other 
professionals, including disaster 
relief personnel and volunteers, 
faith-based professionals, and 
school and child care personnel. 




 

 

x 

 

 

. Work with state and local providers 
and professional associations to 
train mental health professionals to 
serve as master trainers, community 
supervisors, and cultural consultants 
in psychological first aid for their 
graduate training and continuing 
education programs 




x 

 

x 

 

 

Promote psychological resilience for 
individuals, families and communities 

x 

x 

 

 

 

. Use mental and behavioral health 
education, training, and intervention 
to bolster community resilience. 




x 

 

 

 

 

CHILD PHYSICAL HEALTH AND TRAUMA 
Planning, training, exercise, and equipment procurement to increase pediatric medical capacity 

Ensure availability and access to pediatric 
medical countermeasures at the state and 
local level for chemical, biological, 
radiological, nuclear and explosive threats 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

. Test capabilities to mass distribute 
and individually administer pediatric 
medical countermeasures at the 
state and local level for chemical, 
biological, radiological, nuclear and 
explosive threats 




 

 

x 

x 

x 

Ensure all health care professionals who 
may treat children during an emergency 
have adequate pediatric disaster medicine 
training specific to their role 

 

 

x 

 

 

. Develop and/or provide continuing 
education to health care 
professionals such as EMS 
providers 




 

 

x 

 

 

Create a regional planning group to 
develop a formal regional pediatric system 
of care, prepared for disasters 

x 

x 

 

x 

 

. Assess pediatric surge capacity at 
local, regional, and/or state levels 
(MMRS) 




x 

x 

 

 

 




Develop and implement 
comprehensive state and regional 
plans for pediatric patient surge 
capacity in conjunction with hospitals, 
EMS and emergency management 
agencies (MMRS) 

 

x 

 

 

 

. Develop local and regional disaster 
response plans that anticipate need 
and fully integrate trauma systems, 
children’s hospitals, EMS, and other 
institutions with pediatric critical care 
and pediatric surgical sub-specialty 
care capabilities (MMRS) 




 

x 

 

 

 

. Practice disaster drills that include all 
staff that may be called on to deliver 
care to children in scenarios with 
sufficient pediatric survivors to test 
pediatric surge capacity 




 

 

 

x 

 

. Ensure that adequate, up-to-date 
stocks of pediatric supplies are on 
site (MMRS) 




x 

 

 

 

x 

Conduct planning activities to ensure 
access to physical and mental health 
services for all children during recovery 
from a disaster 

x 

x 

 

 

 

. Develop and exercise Continuity of 
Operations Plans for physical and 
mental health services entities 




 

 

x 

x 

x 

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AND PEDIATRIC TRANSPORT 
Planning, training, exercise, and equipment procurement to increase pediatric medical capacity 

Improve the capability of Emergency 
Medical Services (EMS) to transport 
pediatric patients and provide 
comprehensive pre-hospital pediatric care 
during daily operations and disasters 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

. Acquire and train with pediatric 
equipment in accordance with 
national guidelines for equipment for 
BLS and ALS vehicles (see 
Equipment for Ambulances above) 




 

 

x 

x 

x 

. Establish statewide, territorial, or 
regional standardized systems that 
recognize hospitals that are able to 
stabilize or manage pediatric 
medical emergencies and trauma. 




x 

x 

 

 

 

. Establish written pediatric inter-
facility agreements, including a 
categorization process and inter-
facility transfer guidelines to facilitate 
EMS transfer of children to 
appropriate levels of resources. 




x 

x 

 

 

 

CHILD CARE 
Planning, training, exercise activities specific to child care services and providers 

Increase disaster planning capabilities of 

x 

x 

 

 

 




child care providers in all settings 

. Assist child care operators through 
guidance or direct assistance in the 
development of comprehensive 
disaster plans 




x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

. Work with child care facilities to 
designate site and evacuation routes 
in the event of a disaster 




x 

x 

 

 

 

. Work with child care facilities to 
develop reunification plans for 
children and families in the event 
they become separated during an 
emergency 




 

x 

 

 

 

Improve capacity to provide child care 
services in the immediate aftermath of and 
recovery from a disaster 

x 

 

 

 

 

. Develop child care disaster plans at 
the state level that establish 
guidelines for recovery addressing 
the continuation of child care 
services and provision of temporary 
child care services 




 

x 

 

 

 

. At the state level, develop temporary 
disaster child care operating 
standards that permit disaster child 
care in non-traditional settings 




X 

x 

 

 

 

. Increase capacity to provide support 
services to parents, guardians, 
employees, and employers in the 
aftermath of a disaster 




x 

 

 

 

 

ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION 
Planning, training, exercise activities specific to early education, elementary and secondary education 

Improve disaster planning for state 
education agencies (SEAs) and school 
districts and support integration of 
schools into state and local disaster 
planning, training and exercises 

 

x 

 

 

 

. Integrate planning among school 
districts, SEAs, local government, 
local public health and emergency 
response officials, and parents 




 

x 

 

 

 

. Execute regular disaster 
preparedness exercises and drills 
that involve local emergency 
management, school personnel, and 
other stakeholders 




 

 

 

x 

 

. Develop state, regional, and local 
school district continuity of 
operations plans to ensure academic 
continuity for all students affected by 
a disaster 




 

x 

 

 

 




. Develop integrated plans for 
coordinated state and regional 
school closures in the event of a 
pandemic or other event 




 

x 

 

 

 

Enhance school personnel’s abilities to 
support children who are traumatized, 
grieving, or otherwise recovering from a 
disaster 

 

x 

 

 

 

. Train teachers, school 
administrators, and other school 
personnel to understand the impact 
of trauma and loss and to provide 
basic supportive services and basic 
bereavement services following a 
disaster 




 

 

x 

 

 

. Develop initiatives that both support 
and promote emergency 
preparedness and crisis response 
training for teachers and other 
school staff 




x 

 

x 

 

 

CHILD WELFARE AND JUVENILE JUSTICE 
Planning, training, exercise activities specific to child welfare and juvenile justice agencies 

Activities at the state and local level, in 
collaboration with state and local 
emergency management, courts, and 
other key stakeholders, to meet current 
applicable disaster planning requirements 

 

 

x 

 

 

 

. Review state child welfare plans to 
ensure they meet or exceed current 
requirements, including identification 
of personnel to implement plans at 
the local level and collaboration with 
courts and other key stakeholders 




 

x 

 

 

 

. Train and exercise child 
welfare/juvenile justice plans at the 
local level 




 

 

x 

x 

 

. Develop or update juvenile justice 
system disaster plans in coordination 
with state emergency management 
and key stakeholders including 
juvenile courts, residential treatment, 
correctional, and detention facilities 
that house juveniles via court-
ordered placements, and social 
service agencies 




 

x 

 

 

 

EVACUATION 
Develop local and regional evacuee tracking and family reunification strategies 

Develop, train, and exercise local and 
regional strategies for evacuee tracking 
and family reunification strategies 

 

x 

x 

x 

 

. Develop plans to track and reunify 
families during and after a disaster. 
The system should take into account 
adults and children who are 




 

x 

 

 

 




wounded, nonverbal, or have limited 
English proficiency, as well as 
potential legal issues regarding 
custody (in the case of children). 
(CPG 301) 




. Include family reunification planning 
as part of individual and family 
preparedness activities 




 

x 

 

 

 

 

. Establish alternative agreements for 
evacuation transportation beyond 
school buses. If an evacuation takes 
place during a school day, school 
bus drivers may not be available to 
assist with the evacuation because 
they will be driving children to or 
from home. Additionally, these 
drivers are typically not trained or 
contracted for emergencies and may 
not be available to provide 
assistance to some special needs 
individuals. (CPG 301) 




x 

x 

 

 

 

. Work with agencies and businesses 
to incorporate family reunification 
plans for employees as part of 
Continuity of Operations Planning 




x 

x 

 

 

 

SHELTERING STANDARDS, SERVICES, AND SUPPLIES 
Ensure safe, secure mass shelter environments for children 

Planning, training, and exercising to 
ensure a safe and secure mass care 
shelter and emergency congregate care 
environment for children, including 
appropriate access to essential services 
and supplies. 

x 

x 

x 

x 

 

. Adopt and implement the Standards 
and Indicators for Disaster Shelter 
Care for Children for all mass 
shelter operations (Annex B) 




 

 

 

 

 

. Create caches of essential age-
appropriate shelter supplies for 
infants and children in accordance 
with Supplies for Infants and 
Toddlers in Mass Care Shelters 
and Emergency Congregate Care 
Facilities (Annex C) 




 

 

 

 

x 

. Develop plans that mitigate risks 
unique to children in shelters 
including child abduction and sex 
offenders 




 

x 

 

 

 

HOUSING 

Prioritize disaster housing assistance and permanent housing for families, especially those with critical 
health, mental health, or educational needs 

. Develop state plans that ensure that 
all disaster survivors are sheltered 
safely and securely, with access to 
food and other necessary life-




 

x 

 

 

 




sustaining commodities and 
resources 




. Create or expand a standing state-
Led Disaster Housing Task Force at 
the state level, including persons 
with subject matter expertise related 
to children and the programs that 
serve their health, mental health, 
nutrition, education, and social 
services needs 




x 

x 

 

 

 



 


Annex B: Standards and Indicators for Disaster Shelter Care for 
Children. 

 

A. Purpose 

 

To provide guidance to shelter managers and staff that ensures children have a safe, 
secure environment during and after a disaster – including appropriate support and 
access to essential resources. 

 

B. Standards and Indicators for All Shelters 

 

. Under most circumstances a parent, guardian or caregiver is expected to be the 
primary resource for their children, age 18 and younger. 


. In cases where parents or guardians are not with their children, local law 
enforcement personnel and local child protective/child welfare services must be 
contacted to assist with reunification. 


. Children are sheltered together with their families or caregivers. 


. Every effort is made to designate an area for families away from the general 
shelter population. 


. Family areas should have direct access to bathrooms. 


. Parents, guardians and caregivers are notified that they are expected to 
accompany their children when they use the bathrooms. 


. Every effort is made to set aside space for family interaction: 


o This space is free from outside news sources thereby reducing a child’s 
repeated exposure to coverage of the disaster. 


o If age-appropriate toys are available they will be in this space, with play 
supervised by parents, guardians or caregivers. 




. Shared environmental surfaces in shelters that are frequently touched by 
children’s hands or other body parts should be cleaned and disinfected on a 
regular basis. High contact areas may include diaper changing surfaces, 
communal toys, sinks, toilets, doorknobs and floors. These surfaces should be 
cleaned daily with a 1:10 bleach solution or a commercial equivalent disinfectant 
based on the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. Local health department 
authorities may be consulted for further infection control guidance. 


. When children exhibit signs of illness, staff will refer children to on-site or local 
health services personnel for evaluation and will obtain consent from a parent, 
guardian or caretaker whenever possible. 


. When children exhibit signs of emotional stress, staff will refer children to on-site 
or local disaster mental health personnel and will obtain consent from a parent, 
guardian or caretaker whenever possible. 


. Children in the shelters come in all ages and with unique needs. Age appropriate 
and nutritious food (including baby formula and baby food) and snacks are 
available, as soon as possible after needs are identified. 




.This document was approved by the National Commission in Children and Disasters, June 2009 


. Diapers are available for infants and children as soon as possible after needs are 
identified. General guidelines suggest that infants and toddlers need up to 12 
diapers a day. 


. Blankets, for all appropriate ages, are also available. 


. A safe space for breastfeeding women is provided so they may have privacy and 
a sense of security and support (this can include a curtained off area or providing 
blankets for privacy). 


. Basins and supplies for bathing infants are provided as soon as possible after 
needs are identified. 




 

C. Standards and Indicators for Temporary Respite Care for 
Children 

 

Temporary Respite Care for Children provides temporary relief for children, parents, 
guardians or caregivers. It is a secure, supervised and supportive play experience for 
children in a Disaster Recovery Center, assistance center, shelter or other service 
delivery site. When placing their child or children in this area, parents, guardians or 
caregivers are required to stay on-site in the disaster recovery center, assistance center 
or shelter or designate a person to be responsible for their child or children, who shall 
also be required to stay on-site. 

 

In cases where temporary respite care for children is provided in a Disaster Recovery 
Center, assistance center, shelter and other service delivery site, the following 
Standards and Indicators shall apply: 

 

. Temporary respite care for children is provided in a safe, secure environment 
following a disaster. 


. Temporary respite care for children is responsive and equitable. Location, hours 
of operation and other information about temporary respite care for children is 
provided and easy for parents, guardians and caregivers to understand. 


. All local, state and federal laws, regulations and codes that relate to temporary 
respite care for children are followed. 


. The temporary respite care for children area is free from significant physical 
hazards and/or architectural barriers and remains fully accessible to all children. 


. The temporary respite care for children area has enclosures or dividers to protect 
children and ensure that children are supervised in a secure environment. 


. The temporary respite care for children area is placed close to restrooms and a 
drinking water source; hand washing and or hand sanitizer stations are available 
in the temporary respite care for children area. 


. Procedures are in place to sign children in and out of the temporary respite care 
for children area and to ensure children are only released to the parent(s), 
guardian(s), caregiver(s) or designee(s) listed on the registration form. 


. All documents---such as attendance records and registration forms (which 
include identifying information, parent, guardian or caregiver names and contact 
information), information about allergies and other special needs, injury and/or 





incident report forms---are provided, maintained, and available to staff at all 
times. 


. Toys and materials in the temporary respite area are safe and age appropriate. 


. Prior to working in the temporary respite care for children area, all shelter staff 
members must receive training and orientation. In addition, such staff must 
successfully complete a criminal and sexual offender background check. 
Spontaneous volunteers are not permitted. When inside the temporary respite 
area, staff shall visibly display proper credentials above the waist at all times. 


. When children are present, at least two adults are to be present at all times. No 
child should be left alone with one adult who is not their parent, guardian or 
caregiver. 


. All staff members must be 18 years or older. Supervision of the temporary respite 
care for children area is provided by a staff person at least 21 years of age. 


. An evacuation plan will be developed with a designated meeting place outside 
the center. The evacuation plan will be posted and communicated to parent(s), 
caregiver(s), and guardian(s) when registering their child. 


. The child to staff ratio is appropriate to the space available and to the ages and 
needs of the children in the temporary respite care for children area at any time. 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Annex C: Supplies for Infants and Toddlers in Mass Care Shelters 
and Emergency Congregate Care Facilities 

 

This document was facilitated by the National Commission on Children and Disasters in 
September 2009 with guidance from subject matter experts in emergency management 
and pediatric care. The document identifies basic supplies necessary to sustain and 
support 10 infants and children up to 3 years of age for a 24 hour period. The guidance 
is "scalable" to accommodate 10 or more children over a longer period of time. 

 

The National Commission on Children and Disasters recommends state and local 
jurisdictions provide caches of supplies to support the care of children in mass care 
shelters and emergency congregate care facilities for a minimum of 72 hours. The 
amount of supplies cached in an area should be based upon the potential number of 
children up to 3 years of age that could be populating the local shelters and facilities for 
a minimum of 72 hours, as determined by an assessment of current demographic data 
for the jurisdiction. 

 

Depending on the nature of the event, a 24-72 hour supply of essential child-specific 
supplies should be on site prior to the opening of a shelter or facility. However, in 
situations where this is not possible, supplies should still be available for immediate 
deployment and delivered on site within 3 hours. Such a level of preparedness is 
critical due to the high vulnerability of this population. 

 

Required Supplies 

Quantity 

Description 

Comment 

Perishable Supplies 

40 Jars 

Baby Food - Stage 2 (jar size is 3.5 - 4 
oz) 

Combination of vegetables, fruits, cereals, meats 

1 box 
(16oz) 

Cereal - single grain cereal preferred 
(e.g. rice, barley, oatmeal) 

Rice, barley, oatmeal or a combination of these 
grains 

See 
Note 

Diaper wipes - fragrance free 
(hypoallergenic) 

Minimum of 200 wipes 

40 

Diapers - Size 1 (up to 14 lbs.) 

Initial supply should include one package of each 
size, with no less than 40 count of each size diaper 

40 

Diapers - Size 2 (12 - 18 lbs.) 

40 

Diapers - Size 3 (16 - 28 lbs.) 

40 

Diapers - Size 4 (22 - 37 lbs.) 

40 

Diapers - Size 5 (27 lbs. or +) 

40 

Pull Ups 4T - 5T (38 lbs. +) 

320oz 

Formula, milk-based, ready to feed 
(already mixed with water) ++ 

Breastfeeding is the best nutritional option for 
children and should be strongly encouraged. 




64oz 

Formula, hypoallergenic-hydrolyzed 
protein, ready to feed (already mixed 
with water) ++ 

320oz 

Formula, soy-based, ready to feed 
(already mixed with water) ++ 

1 Quart 

Oral Electrolyte solution for children, 
ready-to-use, unflavored (e.g. 
Pedialyte) - Dispensed by 
medical/health authority in shelter ++ 

Do not use sports drinks. The exact amount to be 
given, and for how long, should be determined by an 
appropriate medical authority (doctor or nurse). To 
be use in the event an infant/child experiences 
vomiting or diarrhea, and the degree of dehydration. 

See 
Note 

Nutritional Supplement Drinks for 
Kids/Children, ready-to-drink 
(e.g., Pediasure, Kids Essential/Kids 
Boost) - Dispensed by medical/health 
authority in shelter 

** Not for infants under 12 months of age ** 
Requirement is a total of 40-120 fl. oz per day; in no 
larger than 8 oz bottles. 

Non-Perishable Supplies & Equipment 

25 

Infant feeding bottles (plastic only) ++ 

4 - 6 oz. size preferred (to address lack of 
refrigeration) 

30 

Infant Feeding Spoons ++ 

Specifically designed for feeding infants with a soft 
tip and small width. Can be used for younger 
children as well. 

50 

Nipples for Baby Bottles (non-latex 
standard) ++ 

 2 per bottle 

25 

Diaper Rash Ointment (petroleum jelly, 
or zinc oxide based) 

Small bottles or tubes 

100 
pads 

Disposable Changing Pads 

At least 13x18 in size. Quantity is based on 8-10 
diaper changes per infant per day 

10 

Infant bathing basin 

Thick plastic non-foldable basin. Basin should be at 
least 12" x10" x 4" 

See 
Note 

Infant wash, hypoallergenic 

Either bottle(s) of baby wash (minimum 100 oz.), 
which can be "dosed out" in a disposable cup (1/8 
cup per day per child) or 1 travel size (2oz) bottle to 
last ~48 hrs per child. 

10 

Wash cloths 

Terry cloth/cotton - at least one per child to last the 
72 hr period 

10 

Towels (for drying after bathing) 

Terry cloth/cotton - at least one per child to last the 
72 hr period 

2 sets 

Infant hat and booties ++ 

Issued by medical/health authority in shelter 




10 

Lightweight Blankets (to avoid 
suffocation risk) 

Should be hypoallergenic, (e.g., cotton, cotton 
flannel, or polyester fleece) 

5 

Portable Crib 

To provide safe sleeping environments for infants up 
to 12 months of age 

2 

Toddler potty seat 

That can be placed on the seat of an adult toilet, 
with handles for support. One each should be 
located in both a Men's and Women's restroom 

1 pack 

Electrical Receptacle Covers 

Minimum 30 (Note: Prioritize covering outlets in 
areas where children and families congregate 
(family sleeping area, children’s areas, etc.) 



 

 

Recommended Supplies 

Quantity 

Description 

Comment 

Perishable Supplies 

 

Baby Food – Stage 1 (jar size ~ 2.5 
oz) 

Combination of vegetables, fruits, cereals, meats 

 

Baby Food - Stage 3 (jar size ~ 6 oz) 

Combination of vegetables, fruits, cereals, meats 

 

Diapers - Preemie Size (up to 6 lbs.) 

As needed for shelter population 

 

Healthy snacks that are safe to eat and 
do not pose a choking hazard 
(intended for children 2 year and older) 

Should be low sugar, low sodium: (Yogurt, 
Applesauce, Fruit dices (soft) (e.g., peaches, pears, 
bananas), Veggie dices (soft) (e.g., carrots), 100% 
real fruit bite-sized snacks, Real fruit bars (soft), Low 
sugar/whole grain breakfast cereals and/or cereal 
bars, crackers (e.g., whole grain, "oyster"/mini) 

Non-Perishable Supplies & Equipment 

 

Sip Cups (support for toddlers) ++ 

 



 

Supplemental Information 

Description 

Supplemental Notes 

Formula 

 

Use of a powered formula is at the discretion of the jurisdiction or shelter operator. If 
using powdered preparation of the formula should be conducted by appropriately trained 
food preparation workers. Water used should be from an identified potable water source 
(bottled water should be used if there is any concern about the quality of tap or well 
water). 

 

Hypoallergenic hydrolyzed formula can be provided in powdered form—(1) 400 gram 
can—but only if potable water is accessible. 

 




Infant Feeding 
Bottles and 
Nipples 

 

Each time nutritional fluids, formula and/or other infant feeding measures (including breast 
milk in a bottle) are distributed by trained, designated shelter staff and/or medical 
professionals, clean, sterilized bottles and nipples must be used. Note: After use, bottles 
are to be returned to the designated location for appropriate sterilization (and/or disposal). 
Bottle feeding for infants and children is a 24/7 operation and considerations must be in 
place to provide bottle feeding as needed (On average, infants eat at minimum 5-8 times 
daily). 


Sterilizing and cleaning: 
Sterilize bottles and nipples before you use them for the first time by putting them in 
boiling water for 5 minutes. Nipples and bottles should be cleaned and sterilized before 
each feeding. If disposable bottles and nipples are not available and more durable bottles 
and nipples will be re-used they must be fully sterilized each feeding. To the greatest 
extent possible bottles and nipples should be used by only one child. 
In the event parents want to use their own bottles and nipples, shelter staff should provide 
support for cleaning these items between feedings. Support such as access to appropriate 
facilities for cleaning (not public restrooms). 

 

Note 
regarding all 
feeding 
implements 
for 
Infant/Children 

There is a specific concern with cleaning and sanitizing of all feeding implements 
associated with infants and children (infant feeding bottles/nipples, spoons, sip cups, etc), 
these items will require additional attention by food preparation staff to ensure they are 
sanitary as a means of reducing food borne illness. Staff medical/health staff should be 
consulted on best means of raising awareness among shelter residents and enlisting their 
support for these extra sanitary measures. 

 

Feeding implements such as spoons and sip cups should be cleaned using hot soapy 
water provided potable water is available. When the item is being cleaned to give to 
another child the item must be sterilized. 

 

For the 
following 
items: Infant 
bathing basin, 
Lightweight 
blankets, 
Diaper rash 
ointment, 
Wash cloths, 
and Towels 

 

Consider pre-packaging the listed items together and providing one package to each 
family with children Note: additional blankets and towels will be necessary for families with 
more than one child.