Children’s Disaster Services
Serving children and families after disasters
Mission statement
Nurturing children
Since 1980 Children’s Disaster Services (CDS), a program of Brethren Disaster Ministries, has been meeting the needs of children by setting up child care centers in shelters and disaster assistance centers across the nation. Specially trained to respond to traumatized children, volunteers provide a calm, safe and reassuring presence in the midst of the chaos created by tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, wildfires, and any natural or human-caused disaster.
Upcoming training dates
February 20-21, 2026 in Beaufort, South Carolina
February 20-21, 2026 in Bradford, Ohio
February 27-28, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona
March 14-15, 2026 (Saturday and Sunday) in La Verne, California
Learn more or register for volunteer training
Volunteers update your availability (ask CDS for the password if you don’t have it)
What we do
Volunteers from across the country
- participate in specialized experiential training
- undergo a rigorous screening process
- learn to work with children after a disaster
- are capable of mobilizing rapidly and responding both locally and nationally.
Volunteers arrive to a disaster location with a “Kit of Comfort” containing carefully selected toys that promote imaginative play. Volunteers give children individualized attention and encourage them to express themselves, thereby starting the healing process. Although many volunteers are motivated by faith, CDS’ training is open to anyone over 18 years old.
CDS provides respite, education and individualized consultation for parents about their child’s unique emotional needs after a disaster. Through consultation or workshops specifically tailored to each situation, CDS also works with parents, community agencies, schools or others to help them understand and meet the special needs of children during or after a disaster.
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CDS updates
Bridges is the Brethren Disaster Ministries newsletter published three times a year. It features articles from our Children’s Disaster Services program, as well as our Rebuild program, and international efforts. Learn more about the Bridges Newsletter.
CDS News
- Children’s Disaster Services volunteers serve at American Airlines first anniversary memorial
Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) served on Jan. 29 at the first anniversary American Airlines memorial for the 67 people killed in the mid-air collision of American Airlines Flight 5342 and a military helicopter over the Potomac River near Washington, D.C., on Jan. 29, 2025.
- Worship resources are available for Service Sunday on Feb. 1
The Church of the Brethren’s Service Sunday is scheduled for Sunday, Feb 1. Service Sunday is recognized annually on the first Sunday in February. The 2026 theme “Living with Purpose: Equipping God’s People for Works of Service” is inspired by the scripture text from Ephesians 4:11-13
- Children’s Disaster Services responds to flooding in western Washington State
Children’s Disaster Services (CDS), a program of Brethren Disaster Ministries, has deployed to western Washington State following catastrophic atmospheric river flooding that began on Dec. 8.
- Michael Scalzi retires from Children’s Disaster Services
Michael Scalzi will retire on Dec. 31 as program assistant for Children's Disaster Services (CDS), a Church of the Brethren program in Brethren Disaster Ministries based at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md.
- Join a Children’s Disaster Services volunteer training in Spring 2026
Learn how to bring comfort and care to children following human-caused and natural disasters. Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) is preparing to hold four volunteer training events in February and March next year.
- Children’s Disaster Services team to respond to Lightning Fire in California
Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) will be serving on Sunday, Sept. 14, with a team of three volunteers providing care and a calm presence for young children at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds Local Assistance Center (LAC) in Sonoma, Calif. The LAC has been organized in response to the Lightning Fire Complex.
- 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and the Church of the Brethren response
On Aug. 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the Gulf Coast as a Category 4 hurricane and became one of the most deadly and destructive storms on record. Twenty years later, Brethren Disaster Ministries remembers the impact, response, collaboration, innovation, and recovery on the Gulf Coast.
CDS Response Locations
Contact us
Children’s Disaster Services
601 Main Street, P.O. Box 188
New Windsor, MD 21776-0188
Phone:1-800-451-4407
Fax: 410-635-8739
Email Children’s Disaster Services
CDS on Facebook
Membership
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