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

2. Welcome! Introductions Introductions

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

4. Activity

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

6. What Youth Offer Youth… 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) Disaster Action Teams (DAT) –Respond to local emergencies, usually fires –Help those displaced by incident Money for immediate needs: food, clothing, shelter Money for immediate needs: food, clothing, shelter Other assistance Other assistance –Assess damage to home or apartment

8. Disaster Services Disaster Services Human Resources (DSHR) System 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 If you are 16 or 17, you can enter the DSHR system as a Local Only volunteer On your 18 th birthday, your status can be switched to National On your 18 th birthday, your status can be switched to National Take care of the paperwork now! Take care of the paperwork now!

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

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

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

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

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

15. Roles and Responsibilities Youth Volunteer Disaster Director Youth Advisor Be there! Be there! Report any problems or concerns Report any problems or concerns Contribute your time and skills Contribute your time and skills Work together to solve problems Work together to solve problems Ensure youth are trained properly Ensure youth are trained properly Provide resources Provide resources Mentor youth Mentor youth Supervise and oversee youth volunteers Supervise and oversee youth volunteers Address liability concerns Address liability concerns

16. Debate!

17. Best Practice: DIAL Hotline Martin County Chapter in Stuart, FL 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 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 Planning Preparedness Preparedness Community Disaster Education Community Disaster Education Fundraising Fundraising

20. Next Steps

21. Brainstorm!!!!

22. Questions?

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