Nebraska Extension Cares - Assisting Nebraskans through Tough Times
#NebExt #NebraskaFlood #NebraskaStrong
Helping Families and Children Cope with Emergencies
- Nebraska Family Helpline - 1-888-866-8660
- 2019 Natural Disaster Recovery Child Care Grant - Intended to help child care providers to fund items to assist in the recovery of the blizzard and/or flooding that occurred in March of 2019. These funds may only be used by licensed child care providers or child care providers who have a Child Care Subsidy agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services.
- All About Books - Nebraska's PBS and NPR Stations - Nebraska Read a Book Day - This year’s Pulitzer Prize for fiction went to “The Overstory” by Richard Powers. A sweeping, impassioned novel about a handful of people who see the interconnected world of life trees and the unfolding disaster of our environment - Audio - 8:34 minutes
- Nebraska Extension Early Childhood Development - Website with Disaster - Emergency - Crisis Resources
- Nebraska Extension Rural Wellness Website
- The Learning Child Blog
- How to Help Preschoolers Manage Their Emotions After a Disaster
- Talking to Children About Severe Weather
- Helping Children Cope with Emergencies
- Children’s Literature on Floods and Natural Disasters
- Children, Stress, and Natural Disasters
- Coping with Stress During a Crisis
- Natural Disasters Often Bring Family Stress
- Seeking Outside Help for Stress
- Talking Can Ease the Pain
- Helping Children Deal with Loss
- Keep the Peace in Temporary Quarters
- PSA 1: Children Respond to Disasters in Different Ways
- PSA 2: Parents and Caregivers can Help Children by Giving a Moment of Your Time, a Gentle Hug or a Reassuring Word to Help Children Feel Safer
- PSA 3: Keep Children Informed by Explaining What is Happening
- PSA 4: Help Children by Maintaining Routines or Rituals of Comfort
- PSA 5: Help Children by Acknowledging Your Child’s Feelings and Experiences
- Age-Releated Reactions to a Traumatic Event
- Creating a Strong Family Effective Management of Stress and Crisis
- Family Farm Stress Interview
- American Red Cross “Resources for Schools”
- Early Childhood Web Page - many resources
- CROPWATCH: Mental Health
- Help Kids Cope Free App - Helps parent talk to there kids about the disasters that they face
- Support After Emergency - Printable Flood Family Guide
- Strong Family Relationships
- Helping Children After a Natural Disaster: Information of Families and Educators
- Tips for Talking with and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event: Guide for Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers
- Parent Tips for Helping Adolescents after Disasters
- What Parents Can Do
- The Impact of Natural Disasters On Mental Health - When the Water Recedes - What's Next? - Series of Webinars by University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) (March 29 - April 5, 2019 at 12:00 pm - non credit hours) - Registration - Schedule
- 3.27.19 Flood Webinar - My Story, Emotional Impact (Not sound is not great in the beginning but it gets better as the recording goes on)
- Children and Wildfires
- Helping children affected by the wildfire is an important part of parents and caregivers’ roles. Some key ways to help children feel safe and in control is by listening to them and providing reassurance that many caring adults, parents, teachers, and community members are working together to keep them safe. Children may become upset or withdrawn, while others can’t stop talking about the experience. Use simple, age appropriate explanations about what happening during the disaster. For older children, ask them what they know and what questions they may have. Learn more at https://child.unl.edu/disaster and https://go.unl.edu/wildfire1
- Parents and caregivers can help children by giving a moment of your time, a gentle hug, or a reassuring word to help children feel safer. Involve children in the family’s efforts to prepare for or recover from a disaster. Keep assigned tasks safe and age-appropriate. Let them know you appreciate their efforts to help the family. Learn more at https://learningchildblog.com/2015/05/08/helping-children-deal-with-severe-storms-what-do-parents-need-to-know/ and https://go.unl.edu/wildfire2
- Parents and caregivers can help by keeping children informed by explaining what is happening. You can explain how a fire happens, and how these are unusual but natural patterns of weather. Children will feel safer if they have some answers. Use simple explanations about what is happening during the disaster. It is helpful to limit media coverage and graphic details. This helps children have some sense of control.
Learn more at https://child.unl.edu/helping-children-cope and https://go.unl.edu/wildfire3 - Parents and caretakers can help by maintaining routines or rituals of comfort. Dinnertime at the kitchen table or reading your child’s favorite book at bedtime may provide young children with a sense of security. Children are better able to cope with a crisis if they feel they understand it and there are people working to keep the family safe. Learn more at https://child.unl.edu/read4resilience and https://go.unl.edu/wildfire4
- Parents and caregivers can help children by acknowledging your child’s feelings and experiences. Let your child know it is okay to cry. Use simple, age appropriate explanations about what is happening during the disaster. Provide reassurance that many caring adults, parents, teachers, and community members are working together to keep them safe. For older children, ask them what they know and what questions they may have. Learn more at https://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/9000016369683/how-to-help-preschoolers-manage-their-emotions-after-a-disaster/ and https://go.unl.edu/wildfire5
UNL Campus Students
- 2019 UNL Admission Policy Updates for Students Affected by the Recent Flooding - If our application fee presents a problem, we will waive it. If our enrollment deposit deadline poses an issue, we will allow you to defer your deposit until you start classes. If covering the cost of your education is a significant challenge, we will work with you to find the best financial options available. If you need to postpone moving to Lincoln to start classes, we can help you register for online courses or defer your enrollment until the Spring 2020 term.
- The University of Nebraska Foundation has set up a University of Nebraska Emergency Assistance Fund to support students, faculty and staff who face financial hardships from a crisis or natural disaster. The University of Nebraska Emergency Assistance Fund relies on contributions from individuals, companies and organizations who wish to help with this assistance program. Every gift helps, and when combined with the donations of others, will provide the help a student or employee needs when facing the unexpected.
For information about applying for assistance, contact the university at NUEmergencyFund@nebraska.edu or call 402-472-2111.
A list of resources for Huskers is available on the Nebraska Responds to Flooding webpage. It includes direct contacts and programs for current students, alongside resources available to faculty and staff.
- The Couple and Family Clinic in the Family Resource Center which is located on East Campus: https://maps.unl.edu/FRC (402-472-5035; thecoupleandfamilyclinic@gmail.com)
- Counseling and School Psychology Clinic, which is located in the basement of Teachers College (402-472-1152)
- CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services), which is located in the University Health Center (402-472-7450)
- If students are unable to go home because of the flooding and live on Campus, please have them talk to their Residence Director, who could assist them in finding accommodations during the break.
The University Bookstore in the Nebraska Union, which is part of the Follett Corporation, has partnered with the American Red Cross of Nebraska and Southwest Iowa Region to collect monetary donations for flood recovery. It is also serving as a drop site for supplies needed by impacted communities. Learn more by visiting the bookstore.