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Youth in Disaster Services

Explore the history, roles, and capabilities of youth in disaster services. Learn how to integrate youth, roles & responsibilities, and best practices. Discover how youth can contribute effectively in disaster response and receive training resources.

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Youth in Disaster Services

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  1. Youth in Disaster Services presented by Pat West and Sandy Tesch

  2. Welcome! • Introductions

  3. Session Overview • History of youth in Disaster Services • What youth can do • Youth in Disaster Services Manual • Roles and expectations • Best practices • Discussion and questions

  4. Activity

  5. History • 1884 -- the Little Six fundraised for floods in Ohio and Mississippi • 1917 -- Woodrow Wilson established the Junior Red Cross to help war effort • Today -- almost one-third of American Red Cross volunteers are under age 25

  6. What Youth Offer • Youth… • Work well with a diverse range of clients • Have more flexible schedules • Know languages other than English • Are fun, outgoing, friendly, and helpful!

  7. Disaster Services • Disaster Action Teams (DAT) • Respond to local emergencies, usually fires • Help those displaced by incident • Money for immediate needs: food, clothing, shelter • Other assistance • Assess damage to home or apartment

  8. Disaster Services • Disaster Services Human Resources (DSHR) System • Database of volunteers who respond to big national-level disasters • Open to ages 18 and up

  9. Disaster Services • If you are 16 or 17, you can enter the DSHR system as a “Local Only” volunteer • On your 18th birthday, your status can be switched to National • Take care of the paperwork now!

  10. What Youth Can Do • Serve on Disaster Action Teams • Join the DSHR system • Work in a shelter • Staff a service center • Answer phones in a call center • Serve meals • Organize warehouse distribution

  11. What Youth Cannot Do • You can do everything!

  12. Youth in Disaster Services Manual • Recently updated! • Outlines how to integrate youth into Disaster Services • Who can manage youth • Common hesitations to involving youth • Show this to your chapter staff!

  13. Common Hesitations • Liability • One youth (under 18) should never be alone with one adult (18 and over) • Two youth and one adult is okay • Two adults and one youth is okay • Youth Waiver Form • Labor laws

  14. Youth in Disaster Services Manual Manuals Youth In Disaster Services (scroll down)

  15. Roles and Responsibilities

  16. Debate!

  17. Best Practice: DIAL Hotline • Martin County Chapter in Stuart, FL • Youth service as call center operators during hurricane season • Provide information to residents before, during, and after storms • Trainings held twice a year

  18. Best Practice: Youth Disaster College • Arlington County Chapter in Arlington, VA • Weekend training for youth and young adult volunteers in Disaster Services • Participants received all the training they needed in a faster, more youth-friendly format

  19. What Else? • Planning • Preparedness • Community Disaster Education • Fundraising

  20. Next Steps

  21. Brainstorm!!!!

  22. Questions?

  23. Contact Us • Pat West Chair, National Youth Council WestPat@usa.redcross.org • Sandy Tesch Past Chair, National Youth Council TeschS@usa.redcross.org

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