Disaster Resources

The mission of the California Department of Social Services is to serve, aid, and protect needy and vulnerable children and adults in ways that strengthen and preserve families, encourage personal responsibility, and foster independence. When providers are impacted by natural disasters and catastrophic events, the result can be detrimental to the communities they serve.

HOW TO PLAN FOR EMERGENCIES & DISASTERS
A Step-by-Step Guide for California Child Care Providers
(Developed by the University of California San Francisco Child Care Health Program with funding from the California Department of Education)

Fire and Public Safety Power Shutoff Help and Information

Please contact your local child care licensing Regional Office if your facility has been impacted by the fires in any way.

• Power Outage and Fire Recovery Resources
• Public Safety Power Shutoffs Resource Guide
• Public Safety Power Shutoffs and Wildfire Emergencies

The below link contains the most up to date information available for evacuations, shelters, and recovery efforts as a result of recent wildfires impacting Child Care Facilities across the state.
Disaster Help Center

Below are links to resources for Californians affected by disasters:

• Plan to evacuate
• Cal Fire updates
• FEMA Disaster Assistance
• FEMA Outreach for Early Education Providers
• California Child Care Disaster Plan
• Fires; know your risk
• CDPH ash guidance in response to fires
• AAP Talking to Children About Tragedies & Other News Events
• AAP How to Support Your Child's Resilience in a Time of Crisis
• AAP Responding to Children's Emotional Needs During Times of Crisis
• AAP Wildfires: Information for Parents
• Natural Disaster and Severe Weather
• Disaster Assistance
• Children and Disaster Information

California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Community Care Licensing Division:

• PIN 25-01-CCLD Winter Storm Preparedness has helpful resources for any disaster.
• PIN 24-06-CCLD Everbridge Notification System to Notify Licensees and Providers of Disasters and Emergencies.
• PIN 23-13-CCLD – Preparation for Extreme Heat, Public Safety Power Shutoffs, and Wildfire Emergencies.
• Regional Office Telephone numbers
• Child Care Disaster Resources Webpage
• California Department of Social Services (CDSS)

California Department of Public Health (CDPH): 

• CDPH https://www.cdph.ca.gov/
• CDPH School Health Hub https://schools.cdph.ca.gov/
• Wildfires and children’s health wildfire facts and wildfire smoke and children.

Health:

• Direct Relief International: works globally and locally to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty and emergencies by providing essential medical resources to healthcare providers.
• Air Quality Now
• EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency): Air Quality Resource
• Wildfires and Children’s Health Resources

Mental Health/Emotional well-being:

• Support for emotional well-being
• And Building Resilience, a part of CalHOPE Schools, is a free film with classroom and home resources to discuss feelings of anxiety, share coping strategies, and find hope and resilience. You can view Angst: Building Resilience and other resources at calhopeschools.org.

• The California MAP to Inclusion and Belonging: Visit the Coping with Trauma Resources website is at https://cainclusion.org/camap/resources-and-links/coping-with-trauma-a-collection-of-resources/.  
• National Child Trauma Stress Network: For resources to help children, families, and communities navigate what they are seeing and hearing, and finding ways to cope together.
• Office of the Head Start: For information on Helping Children Cope After a Disaster, visit the Office of Head Start Early Childhood and Learning Center website at.  
• National Disaster Distress Helpline: Provides 24/7 crisis counseling via call or text for individuals affected by traumatic events or disasters.

Cleaning up after a Fire:

• CDPH: Information on wildfire ash cleanup, Safe Cleanup of Ash
• CDPH: Protecting Your Health from Wildfire Smoke & Ash
• Red Cross Cleaning Up After a Fire
• County of LA Public Health: How to Clean Up Smoke and Soot from a Fire Health Fact Sheet

 Temporary Housing: 

• Cal OES (Governor’s Office of Emergency Services): Wildfire recovery housing assistance.

Food:

• Foodpantries.org

Financial:

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): For business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585 TTY.” 
• California Fire Foundation – Supplying Aid to Victims of Emergency (SAVE)
• The United States (U.S.) Small Business Administration: Visit the U.S. Small Business Administration to learn more about their disaster loans programs.
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Visit the LIHEAP website to learn more about assistance for eligible low-income households to meet their immediate home heating and/or cooling needs.
• California LifeLine: Visit the California LifeLine program for information on discounted home phone and cell phone services to qualified households.
• California Office of the Small Business Advocate maintains this resource page: Disaster Resources | Outsmart Disaster
• Home Grown: Home-Based Child Care (HBCC) emergency fund for severe weather and national disaster response.
  • Get immediate cash assistance to home-based child care providers and caregivers.
  • Meet immediate health, safety and personal needs for child care providers.
  • Ensure funds support personal expenses and damage to homes and contents of homes (that will not be paid for by other reimbursements or insurance).
  • Lift learning and insight to support short- and long-term policy efforts.

For the most up-to date information on the status of disasters:

• CalFire– Statewide fire conditions and updates

OTHER RESOURCES:

• The Governor’s 2025 Los Angeles Fires Resources Website: For information related to the LA Fires disaster, including Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)assistance, insurance, and other disaster resources.

• California Resource & Referral (R&R) Agency: Please contact your local R&R for information on available resources.

• California Health and Human Services (CHHS) Emergency Response Guide

• LAFD Foundation: Supports the Los Angeles Fire Department by funding essential equipment, training, and public outreach programs, enhancing the department’s emergency response capabilities.

• Save the Children: Disaster relief.

• California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 

• Listos: Through Listos California, individuals throughout the community can find wildfire-specific resources, sign up for emergency alerts, download personal preparedness planning guides, and access resources in multiple languages. Please visit: https://www.listoscalifornia.org/disaster-readiness/

• Sesame Street Workshop: Preparing for Emergencies

2025 LA Wildfires Resources:

State of Emergency Orders:

Executive Order N-2-25 January 7, 2035

Executive Order N-3-25 January 10, 2025

Executive Order N-4-25 January 12,2025

Executive Order N-5-25 January 12, 2025

Executive Order N-6-25 January 14, 2025

Disaster Recovery Center

The City's Disaster Recovery Center is OPEN. The center will operate from 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM, 7 days a week at the UCLA Research Park at 10850 West Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064. Another center will operate from Pasadena City College Community Education Center at 3035 E Foothill Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107. EWDD along with other City departments, State, and Federal agencies will be in attendance to provide resources to businesses and workers impacted. These centers will help people:

• Who have lost vital records (birth certificates, death certificates, driver’s licenses, social security documentation).
• Who have lost their homes or businesses apply for disaster relief loans.
• And they will provide referrals for mental health counseling and other services.

Cal OES Wildfire Recovery: Record replacement, California Department of Motor Vehicles, and California Department of Public Health – Vital Records.

Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV): assistance for Californians impacted by the SoCal wildfires.

Temporary Housing: 

211LA and Airbnb.org are partnering to offer free temporary housing for residents displaced or forced to evacuate due to the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County. Visit https://211la.org/LA-Wildfires and scroll toward the middle of the site under the heading “Airbnb.org Support for Those Affected by Wildfires.” You will find eligibility criteria and other important information.

Shelter Information: California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services is coordinating with the California Department of Social Services and local governments to ensure impacted communities have access to shelters and vital services.

• The Red Cross of Los Angeles County: Disaster relief services including shelter, food, and emotional support.
• Unhoused Emergency Shelter

Food:

• 211 Los Angeles: A comprehensive helpline connecting residents to essential health and human services, including disaster preparedness and emergency response information.
• Los Angeles Regional Food Bank: Distributes food to individuals and families in need.
• Foodpantries.org

Transportation:

 If you are asked to evacuate and need help with transportation you can utilize Uber and Lyft for free to shelter and evacuation sites:

• Lyft: Two free rides up to $25 each. Use code: CAFIRERELIEF25.
• Uber: Two free rides up to $40 each. Use code: WILDFIRE25.

 Financial:

• Pasadena Community Foundation: Established the Eaton Canyon Fire Relief and Recovery Fund to support immediate and pressing needs arising from local wildfires. 

• Los Angeles Regional Small Business Legal Aid Program provides free legal services to qualified small businesses on a number of legal issues such as review of commercial leases, assistance in communicating with landlords, reviewing insurance policies, navigating insurance claims, among other services. For more information, visit lalegalhelp.org or call 1-866-375-9511.

For the most up-to date information on the status of disasters:

• Alert.LA – LA county Emergency Alert System
• Los Angeles Fire Department – Latest fire updates

OTHER RESOURCES:

• The Governor’s 2025 Los Angeles Fires Resources Website: For information related to the LA Fires disaster, including Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)assistance, insurance, and other disaster resources.
• LAFD Foundation: Supports the Los Angeles Fire Department by funding essential equipment, training, and public outreach programs, enhancing the department’s emergency response capabilities.