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We have been following developments in Southern California with great sadness. We have been trying to determine how child care centers, family child care homes and early childhood professionals have been impacted by this disaster. This has proved difficult, however, as those most affected by the fires have been evacuated and are unreachable. So we will share what news we currently have about what is happening and what you can do, and then update you with more complete information as things sort themselves out. This will be a longer message than usual in ExchangeEveryDay as we have much to share.
A Personal Story
We will lead with a very personal account from a friend of Karen Stephens from San Diego — a story that is undoubtedly echoed a million times over:
"Our wakeup call was the doorbell ringing repeatedly at 2:30 this morning. (That's NEVER good.) Once I was coherent, I smelled the smoke. I ran to the door and our neighbor was yelling that we had to get out and that the fire was up the hill. Keep in mind, at bedtime, the fires were 20 miles away at the closest place. We had absolutely no reason to believe our house was going to be threatened, but that's Mother Nature for you. Sometime between 11 pm-2:30 am, embers from one of those fires started the fire near our house. At that time, the wind was so strong that ash was flying EVERYWHERE. The smoke was already really thick and we thought we didn't have much time to get out. Not surprisingly, we grabbed photos from the walls, our computers, and the dogs — and got out. You know what is important to us, as we left our jewelry, golf clubs, etc. All of those things can be replaced. The photos and the pups are way more important to us."
Helping Children Cope
Karen Stephens updated a Parenting Exchange article "Helping Children Cope in the Wake of Tragedy or Disaster" from her Parenting Exchange on CD collection.
Report from Bright Horizons
This national employer-focused child care provider reports that as of Thursday all their centers in Southern California are back in operation. However, they did share these experiences:
"Employees have demonstrated incredible passion and commitment to each other and the children they care for. While many came to work with their cars packed and ready to evacuate if the order came, those who were not under threat of evacuation opened their homes to their colleagues, went to work at the centers that remained open so they could provide relief to others.... Dozens of our employees and the families we serve were evacuated from their homes. Most were able to stay with friends and family — and many with their Bright Horizons colleagues, during the evacuation period. As of today, all but three employees were able to return to their homes. One employee lost the home she was living in, and there are three who are still uncertain about the fates of their homes. We have also confirmed at least one family we serve who lost their home. [Update: One of these employees went back to discover that her house was the only one left standing in her block.]
"We have been able to provide emergency child care to employees of the San Diego area's major utility companies at other San Diego and Los Angeles area Bright Horizons centers so those employees could work to repair and maintain power and communications lines.
"We are also making available through all Bright Horizons centers and several aid organizations, for free, Jim Greenman's book, What Happened to My World: Helping Children Cope with Natural Disaster and Catastrophe. This is a guide for parents, teachers, and caregivers that can give them guidance about how they can support children who are experiencing the stress, anxiety, and destruction of the fires. It is also available for download free at www.brighthorizons.com/talktochildren. We invite anyone in the Early Education community to download it for their use, or to let us know of a need for large numbers of these, as we can make hard copies available in quantity wherever the need exists."
Report from Save the Children
World Forum Alliance member, Save the Children USA, has been very active in supporting the needs of children during this emergency. Read the on-the-scene stories of Save staffers.
You can make a donation to support the work of Save the Children in Southern California.
Report from Knowledge Learning Corporation
The largest provider of child care services in the country, Knowledge Learning Corporation, closed 25 schools during the fire emergency — 18 due to mandatory evacuation. The company reports that its disaster recovery plans implemented after Katrina have proved to be most effective in enabling them to respond quickly and effectively to this disaster. The company has had staff in the area checking up on schools and providing updates every 30 minutes.
Blood Donations Needed
One of the most urgent needs is for blood donations that people everywhere can respond to. To learn how and where you can donate blood, go to the Red Cross.
For more information about Exchange's magazine, books, and other products pertaining to ECE, go to www.ccie.com.
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