The Mission
Children's Disaster Services (CDS) trains, certifies, and mobilizes volunteers to disaster sites in the United States to provide crisis intervention to young children of families suffering from natural or man-made disasters. Professional counselors are also available to inform and educate parents, teachers, community workers and the general public about the effects of disasters on children. CDS is a program of the Brethren Disaster Ministries of the Church of the Brethren General Board. Administrative offices are located at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Maryland.

Children's Disaster Services volunteers are identified by blue and white checked tops and compassion for children. They provide comfort and encouragement, and offer the healing touch young children need in traumatic situations.

CDS volunteers create a safe and friendly environment to give children the freedom to act like children. In the child care center, children are given individualized attention while being engaged in therapeutic play activities designed to relieve stress and calm fears.

CDS recognizes that parents are the primary resource for their children. Child care services are designed to support parents by giving them freedom to secure assistance with the assurance that their children are in a safe and secure environment in which to play. Parents are also helped to understand their children’s needs in the aftermath of disaster.

History
Caring for children after disaster has been a significant ministry of the Church of the Brethren since 1980. Since then over 2,500 volunteers have cared for more than 74,000 children in response to floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, fires, ice storms, tornadoes, terrorist attacks, and aviation incidents.

This CDS ministry is recognized nationally for high standards of child care; readiness and flexibility in response; and especially for the dedication and enthusiasm of its child care volunteers. The program welcomes volunteers from diverse faith traditions who genuinely care about children.

Level 1 Training
Persons interested in becoming a certified Children's Disaster Services volunteer must successfully complete an intensive 27-hour training w orkshop. This training covers information on the needs of children following a disaster; learning skills for effective interaction with children; and experiencing a simulated disaster aftermath.

Volunteer Qualifications

• Care about and enjoy interacting with children
  
• Be 18 years of age or older (male or female)
  
• Be in good physical and mental health
  
• Be a team player
  
• Work well under stress and adverse conditions

Certification Requirements

• Complete an intensive 27-hour training workshop
  
• Provide at least 2 approved personal references
  
• Obtain a clean Criminal Background Check

For additional training information, call or e-mail the Children's Disaster Services office.

Helping Children Cope
Trainers and staff help community agencies, parent-teacher organizations, and church groups to prepare for the impact of disaster by providing educational programs and materials.

After the disaster occurs, professional counselors are also available to give guidance to parents and teachers helping them to recognize and understand the unique needs of children who are coping with grief, fears and loss after traumatic events.

CDS Works in Partnership With:

• American Red Cross (ARC)
  
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
  
• Church World Service Emergency Response Program (CWS/ERP) and supporting denominations
  
• Local/State Disaster Response Organizations
  
• Camp Noah - A children’s program of Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota and Lutheran Disaster Response (LDS)

Emergency Disaster Fund
The Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) enables Brethren Disaster Ministries to respond quickly and effectively to natural and human-induced disasters anywhere in the world. Management, training and expenses of Children's Disaster Services volunteers are supported by this fund.

To support this ministry, contributions designated for “Children's Disaster Services” can be sent to EDF, Church of the Brethren General Board, 1451 Dundee Avenue, Elgin IL 60120.