Hurricane Katrina – Stress and Coping, Disaster Resources

Stress and coping resources

A National Tragedy: Helping Children Cope
Language: English
Publisher: National Association of School Psychologists
Description: A fact sheet with tips for adults on how to help children and adolescents deal with national tragedies.

Connect for Kids
Language: English
Publisher: Connect for Kids
Description: Connect for Kids resources to help families and communities come together to help children.

Coping with Disaster
Language: English
Author: Direnfeld, Gary
Publisher: National Mental Health Association (2004)
Description: The National Mental Health Association has developed the Coping With Disaster fact sheet series to help people cope during crisis and loss. Contains information on coping with terrorism, hurricanes, natural disasters and war.

Managing Anxiety in Times of Crisis
Language: English
Publisher: SAMHSA (2005)
Description: The emotional impact of traumatic events can have devastating effects on the mental well-being of individuals of all ages. This resource provides information and referrals to help individuals who experience a tragic event cope with their own mental health needs as well as that of families and others in their care.

Managing Strong Emotional Reactions to Tragic Events: Tips for Parents and Teachers
Language: English
Publisher: National Association of School Psychologists
Description: “When a large-scale tragedy occurs, it can cause strong and deeply felt reactions in adults and children. How adults express their emotions will influence the reactions of children and youth. Parents and teachers can help youngsters manage their feelings by both modeling healthy coping strategies themselves and closely monitoring their own emotional state and that of the children in their care.”

Caring for Children in Troubled Times: Resources for Teens
Language: English
Publisher: The Ohio State University Extension
Description: List of links to articles and resources regarding talking with teens about terrorism and disasters, the effects of stress and trauma on teens, promoting healing and hope, websites for teens, and resources for professionals working with teens.

Children and Stress Links
Language: English
Author: Smith, Charles
Publisher: Kansas State University
Description: Links to information about children, stress, and dealing with tragedy.

Caring for Children in Troubled Times
Language: English
Publisher: The Ohio State University Extension
Description: This site offers resources for parents, teachers, caregivers, and support professionals. The resources are aimed at helping children and families get through troubled times. Includes resources for talking to kids about terrorism.

Disaster Recovery: Children's Needs
Language: English
Author: DeBord, Karen
Publisher: North Carolina Cooperative Extension (1993)
Description: This resource consists of four fact sheets dealing with the effects of a natural disaster on children and ways that adults can help children to cope. The four titles are: 1) Recognizing Stress in Children; 2) Outreach for Children; 3) Strategies for Parents and Teachers; and 4) Benefits of Play in Children & Age Specific Interventions.

El Estrés en su Niño: Lo que Padres Pueden Hacer
Language: Español
Author: DeBord, Karen
Publisher: North Carolina Cooperative Extension
Description: This fact sheet discusses the effects of a natural disaster or traumatic event on children, describing sign of stress at various ages. (Note: This resource is also available in English as "Helping Children Cope With Stress")

Change: Loss, Opportunity, and Resilience
Language: English
Author: Danes, Sharon
Publisher: University of Minnesota Extension Service
Description: A guide about the change process and dealing with change.

Children, Stress, and Natural Disasters
Language: English
Publisher: University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service
Description: A set of resources for teachers and other child-care or youth workers that helps prepare them for working with children who have been through a disaster.

Facing Fear: Helping Young People Deal With Terrorism and Other Tragic Events
Language: English
Publisher: American Red Cross (2002)
Description: Facing Fear was developed to address a demand by educators and caregivers of children for materials to help children cope in uncertain times. The materials consist of four lesson plans for each of the three chapters, “Feelings,” “Facts and Perspectives,” and “Future”. There are approximately 27 hands-on, student and family oriented activities that engage students in learning and offer families comfort, knowledge and disaster preparedness skills. The lessons are aligned with national health, social studies and language arts curriculum standards to facilitate implementation of these curriculum materials in schools where standards orientation is a major concern.

Family Communication in Times of Stress
Language: English
Author: Pitzer, Ronald
Publisher: University of Minnesota Extension Service
Description: A fact sheet about the importance of communication during difficult times.

Helping Families Recover: Helping Children Deal with Disaster
Language: English
Publisher: University of Maryland Cooperative Extension
Description: List of links to resources about dealing with disaster and tragedy.

Talking to Children When the Unexpected Happens
Language: English
Author: Mader, Sharon
Publisher: Ohio State University Extension (2002)
Description: This fact sheet provides parents with suggestions on how to talk with their children during stressful times and help them deal with frightening situations or news events.

The Chid Advocate: Helping Children Cope After a Disaster
Language: English
Author: Petersen, Christopher
Publisher: The Child Advocate
Description: This site provides links and resources aimed at helping children cope after a disaster.

Understanding Responses to Tragedy
Language: English
Publisher: Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) faculty at the Ghering Health and Wellness Center; Arizona State University
Description: Tips for coping with tragedy.

AYUDANDO A LOS NIÑOS DESPUES DE UNA CATASTROFE
Language: Español
Publisher: American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (2003)
Description: The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry has provided this piece for parents who are helping a child cope after a disaster. Adults are not the only people that experience the stressful side effects that occur after a disaster, such as an earthquake, a death of a loved one, or living through a terrorist act. Children need special care and attention following these difficult times.

Disaster Mental Health
Language: English
Author: Wipfler, Patty
Publisher: US Department of Health and Human Services
Description: Includes tips for talking about disasters, bioterrorism information, and associated links.

Children May Experience Long Term Effects of Disaster
Language: English
Author: Powell, Joyce
Publisher: Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service (1994)
Description: This fact sheet discusses how children may react to disasters and signs to look for in children having a hard time adjusting. The author provides ideas for parents and caregivers in helping children adjust after a disaster.

Children May Experience Long Term Effects of Disaster (Flood Fact Sheet) (PDF)
Language: English
Author: Powell, Joyce
Publisher: Kansas State University Extension (September 1993)
Description: This is a fact sheet on understanding that children need time to heal from traumatic events. Studies of children following natural disasters have shown that children may experience emotional and behavioral effects for months, one year or even two years following the disaster.

After the Storm: The Psychological Effects of a Hurricane (PDF)

Children as Victims of Hurricane Katrina (PDF)
Language: English
Author: Myers-Walls, Judith
Publisher: Purdue University (2005)
Description: This fact sheet provides a guide on how hilldren may be affected by Hurrican Katrina and recommendations to support both children and families.

The Impact of Katrina on Children Special Comments for First Responders and Helping Professionals Secondary Traumatic Stress The Impact of Working with the Victims of Katrina (PDF)
Language: English
Author: Dobson, Christine
Publisher: ChildTrauma Academy (2005)
Description: This article is one in a series developed by the ChildTrauma Academy to assist those professionals working with the victims of Hurricane Katrina

MoreTalking with Children when the Talking Gets Tough (PDF)
Language: English
Author: Myers-Walls, Judith
Publisher: Purdue University
Description: A fact sheet for parents and professionals about how to talk to children and youth when disasters and other difficult situations occur.

Helping Children Cope with the Impact of Hurricane Katrina (PDF)
Language: English
Author: Gnatuk, Carole; Kay Bradford, Ph.D.; Alex Lesueur, Jr.
Publisher: University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension (2005)
Description: This fact sheet is aimed at helping educators work with families affected by Hurrican Katrina. Includes links to other resources about coping with disasters. Adapted with permission from the fact sheet, Children as Victims of Hurricane Katrina, by Judith A. Myers-Walls, Ph.D.

Tips for Parents: Helping Children Concerned About Loved Ones Affected by the Hurricane (PDF)
Language: English
Author: Gnatuk, Carole; Kay Bradford, Ph.D.; Alex Lesueur, Jr.
Publisher: University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension (2005)
Description: This fact sheet is aimed at helping parents help their children cope with the aftermath of Hurrican Katrina. Includes steps for coping with disasters. Adapted with permission from the fact sheet, Children as Victims of Hurricane Katrina, by Judith A. Myers-Walls, Ph.D.

Tips for Parents: Helping Children Cope with the Impact of Hurricane Katrina (PDF)
Language: English
Author: Gnatuk, Carole; Kay Bradford, Ph.D.; Alex Lesueur, Jr.
Publisher: University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension (2005)
Description: This fact sheet is aimed at helping parents of young children cope with the aftermath of Hurrican Katrina. Includes steps for coping with disasters. Adapted with permission from the fact sheet, Children as Victims of Hurricane Katrina, by Judith A. Myers-Walls, Ph.D.

Tips for Parents: Helping Children Watching from a Distance to Understand the Impact of Hurrican Katrina (PDF)
Language: English
Author: Gnatuk, Carole; Kay Bradford, Ph.D.; Alex Lesueur, Jr.
Publisher: University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension (2005)
Description: This fact sheet is aimed at helping families, not directly affected by the disaster, help their children cope with the aftermath of Hurrican Katrina. Includes steps for coping with disasters. Adapted with permission from the fact sheet, Children as Victims of Hurricane Katrina, by Judith A. Myers-Walls, Ph.D.

Disaster resources

The Asbestos and Mesothelioma Center
Language: English
Asbestos abatement in pre-1975-built houses was already a concern in New Orleans before Hurrican Katrina pulverized many of them, spraying asbestos into the air. According to the Asbestos and Mesothelioma Center, rescue workers, residents and construction crews are often exposed to airborne asbestos as recovery continues. This center offers a number of resources for those who think they may have been exposed, or who want to know more about this hazard.

EDEN: Extension Disaster Education Network
Language: English
Description: Homepage for EDEN: the Extension Disaster Education Network. The Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) links Extension educators from across the U.S. and various disciplines -- so they can use and share resources to reduce the impact of disasters.

El cuidado de documentos dañados durante una inundación
Language: Español
Publisher: Texas Agricultural Extension Service
Description: Valuable documents should be protected from any disaster. If, however, they are damaged in a flood you can save them using the instructions in this fact sheet.

Cuídese de los estafadores
Language: Español
Publisher: Texas Agricultural Extension Service
Description: After a disaster, con artists will be eager to take advantage of people's pain and suffering.

Dealing with Disaster: Be Watchful of Con Artists
Language: English
Publisher: Texas Agricultural Extension Service
Description: After a disaster, con artists will be eager to take advantage of people's pain and suffering.

Emergency Response Planning Guide for Child Care
Language: English
Publisher: Healthy Child Care Vermont and Child Development Division (Fall 2002)
Description: An emergency planning guide that provides basic planning information that can be customized to fit the size of your program.

Family Preparedness Checklist
Language: English
Publisher: National Safety Council
Description: Protect your family from emergencies by developing a home emergency response plan. This check list may help you in developing an emergency plan for your family to follow in any disaster.

Red Cross Disaster Services
Language: English
Publisher: American Red Cross
Description: A list of resources available from the Red Cross to help people deal with disasters.

Disaster Fact Sheets
Language: English
Publisher: University of Illinois Extension
Description: Series of fact sheets about dealing with various disasters.

Disaster Procedures
Language: English
Author: Oesterreich, Lesia
Publisher: Iowa State University Extension (1993)
Description: This fact sheet provides information for family day care providers on fire and tornado emergency procedures.

FEMA for Kids
Language: English
Publisher: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Description: FEMA's children's Web site teaches kids how to be prepared for disasters and about causes of disasters. There are games, quizzes, and stories and children can become a "Disaster Action Kid."

Caring for Important Papers After a Flood
Language: English
Publisher: Texas Agricultural Extension Service
Description: Valuable documents should be protected from any disaster. If, however, they are damaged in a flood you can save them using the instructions in this fact sheet.

Disaster Staff Guide - Fact Sheets
University of Illinois Extension
Disaster Fact Sheets ... Returning Home After Disaster ...

Hurricane Katrina: Extension Helping Extension
A place for extension faculty across the country to post disaster resources

Mississippi Operation 4-H Relief
Language: English
Publisher: Mississippi State University Extension Service (2005)
Description: This Mississippi 4-H Relief webpage contains information about the 4-H relief effort and other relief resources.

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