Emergency Disaster Relief Information and Resources Related to Wildfires
Date postedJanuary 9, 2025
We know that many people in the ECE community located in the LA County area are facing an incredibly challenging and frightening time right now as wildfire threatens your communities.
EveryChild California is here to offer support in navigating this difficult time. We are actively compiling resources to support you, your staff, your programs, and the families you serve. As we receive additional information from our partners and state agencies, we will post them here for your convenience.
LAFD Alerts: https://lafd.org/alerts
Current Evacuation Orders: https://lafd.org/
Current Fire Activity Map: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/mapviewer/index.html?webmap=df8bcc10430f48878b01c96e907a1fc3
LA Disaster Support Masterlist: https://www.theconsciouscitizens.org/los-angeles-disaster-support-masterlist/
Comprehensive List of California Disaster Response Funds: https://www.philanthropyca.org/2025-california-disaster-response?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=2025-01-14&utm_campaign=Response+Funds+for+LA+Wildfire-Impacted+Childcare+Programs
Resources from CDE and CDSS
*The information below was published to CDE's EED ListServ on January 8, 2025.
CDE Programs:
The California Education Code (EC) Section 8249 states that agencies that are unable to operate due incomplete repairs and renovations that have been authorized by the CDE, or due to circumstances beyond their control, including, but not limited to, earthquakes, fires, or floods, will not be financially penalized for approved day(s) of closure.
Should your agency be required to close due to the impacts from a wildfire, including but not limited to mandatory evacuation orders or evacuation warnings, poor air quality, power outages, and/or staffing shortages due to staff being impacted by the fire and unable to safely travel to/from work or having been displaced by the fire, your agency can be reimbursed for days of closure related to the emergency situation.
Please contact your assigned EED, Program Quality Implementation (PQI) Office Regional Consultant as soon as possible if your agency was impacted by the weather or if you have any questions regarding this announcement. The Regional Consultant directory can be accessed on the CDE Consultant Regional Assignments web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/ci/assignments.asp. If you are unable to access the web page, please call the EED main phone line at 916-322-6233.
Source: https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/ci/mb2110.asp
Closure Request Form: https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/ci/documents/noncovid19req2122.pdf
The California Education Code (EC) Section 8249 states that agencies that are unable to operate due incomplete repairs and renovations that have been authorized by the CDE, or due to circumstances beyond their control, including, but not limited to, earthquakes, fires, or floods, will not be financially penalized for approved day(s) of closure.
Should your agency be required to close due to the impacts from a wildfire, including but not limited to mandatory evacuation orders or evacuation warnings, poor air quality, power outages, and/or staffing shortages due to staff being impacted by the fire and unable to safely travel to/from work or having been displaced by the fire, your agency can be reimbursed for days of closure related to the emergency situation.
Please contact your assigned EED, Program Quality Implementation (PQI) Office Regional Consultant as soon as possible if your agency was impacted by the weather or if you have any questions regarding this announcement. The Regional Consultant directory can be accessed on the CDE Consultant Regional Assignments web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/ci/assignments.asp. If you are unable to access the web page, please call the EED main phone line at 916-322-6233.
Source: https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/ci/mb2110.asp
Closure Request Form: https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/ci/documents/noncovid19req2122.pdf
CDSS Programs:
The Child Care and Development Division (CCDD) contractors that close any of their sites and/or classrooms due to circumstances beyond the operating agency’s control, as identified in WIC 10286.5, must submit an Emergency Closure Request Form in order to receive credit for any reduced days of operation associated and child days of attendance associated with the emergency closure. The Emergency Closure Request Form must be submitted to the contractors assigned the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), CCDD, Program Quality Improvement (PQI) Consultant. If the request is approved, the contractor will receive an approval from their assigned PQI consultant indicating the operation credit for the emergency closure day(s) and child days of attendance. The contractor must keep the approved form for auditing purposes and report the associated credits on their Child Development and Nutrition Fiscal Services fiscal and attendance report(s).
The Child Care and Development Division (CCDD) contractors that close any of their sites and/or classrooms due to circumstances beyond the operating agency’s control, as identified in WIC 10286.5, must submit an Emergency Closure Request Form in order to receive credit for any reduced days of operation associated and child days of attendance associated with the emergency closure. The Emergency Closure Request Form must be submitted to the contractors assigned the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), CCDD, Program Quality Improvement (PQI) Consultant. If the request is approved, the contractor will receive an approval from their assigned PQI consultant indicating the operation credit for the emergency closure day(s) and child days of attendance. The contractor must keep the approved form for auditing purposes and report the associated credits on their Child Development and Nutrition Fiscal Services fiscal and attendance report(s).
Incidents at Licensed Facilities
If you operate a licensed facility, please report any incidents on the premises to the California Department of Social Services pursuant to the California Code of Regulations, Title 22, sections 101212(d) and 102416.2(c). All licensed facilities should follow their disaster plans on file pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 1596.95(f).
If you operate a licensed facility, please report any incidents on the premises to the California Department of Social Services pursuant to the California Code of Regulations, Title 22, sections 101212(d) and 102416.2(c). All licensed facilities should follow their disaster plans on file pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 1596.95(f).
CCLD Disaster Resources: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-licensing/public-information-and-resources/disaster-resources
For information regarding Homeless Children and Youth, please refer to the CDE Management Bulletin (MB) 18-04 which is located at https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/ci/mb1804.asp. MB 18-04 communicates provisions for contractors to better support and serve families who are experiencing homelessness.
Los Angeles Shelter and Evacuation Services Information: https://lacounty.gov/emergency/
California Resource and Referral (R&R) programs provide training and technical assistance, as well as resources for Early Learning and Care providers. Please contact your local R&R for information on available resources. A list of R&Rs is found on the CDE web site at https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/re/rragencylist.asp.
Available Assistance for Californian's: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/13/DisasterAssistanceGuideforCaliforniansFinal.pdf
For resources related to wildfires, including what to do before, during and after a wildfire, please refer to the CDE’s Wildfires web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ep/wildfires.asp.
For information on the CDE Resources for Disaster and Emergency Resources, please refer to the CDE Resources for Natural Disaster and Severe Weather web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ep/schoolemergencyres.asp.
For information on disaster assistance and resources in California, please refer to the CDE Disaster Resources web page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/di/dr/.
For information on emergency resources from federal, state, and local agencies, please refer to the California Office of Emergency Services (OES) website at www.caloes.ca.gov.
Information on the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Community Care Licensing Regional Offices can be found at the CDSS website at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/community-care-licensing.
For information on Helping Children Cope After a Disaster, visit the Office of Head Start Early Childhood and Learning Center website at https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/publication/helping-your-child-cope-after-disaster.
The California MAP to inclusion and Belonging: Coping with Trauma Resources website is at https://cainclusion.org/camap/resources-and-links/coping-with-trauma-a-collection-of-resources/.
For resources to help children, families, and communities navigate what they are seeing and hearing, and finding ways to cope together, visit the National Child Trauma Stress Network website is at https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/disasters/wildfire-resources.
For information on the CDE Resources for Disaster and Emergency Resources, please refer to the CDE Resources for Natural Disaster and Severe Weather web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ep/schoolemergencyres.asp.
For information on disaster assistance and resources in California, please refer to the CDE Disaster Resources web page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/di/dr/.
For information on emergency resources from federal, state, and local agencies, please refer to the California Office of Emergency Services (OES) website at www.caloes.ca.gov.
Information on the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Community Care Licensing Regional Offices can be found at the CDSS website at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/community-care-licensing.
For information on Helping Children Cope After a Disaster, visit the Office of Head Start Early Childhood and Learning Center website at https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/publication/helping-your-child-cope-after-disaster.
The California MAP to inclusion and Belonging: Coping with Trauma Resources website is at https://cainclusion.org/camap/resources-and-links/coping-with-trauma-a-collection-of-resources/.
For resources to help children, families, and communities navigate what they are seeing and hearing, and finding ways to cope together, visit the National Child Trauma Stress Network website is at https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/disasters/wildfire-resources.
BabytoBaby is helping distribute diapers, car seats and other supplies to impacted families, please visit their site for more info and to share resources as you have them. https://baby2baby.org/
Resources from our partners and members:
- Child Care Resource Center: The latest fire information and access resources in your area
- Child Care Resource Center: How to Help Children Manage Stress Caused by California Wildfires
- CTC Support and FAQ: Learn More Here
- Children Now Support Page: Visit Here
EveryChild California is here for you, and we will continue to stand by you as you navigate these challenges.