Children’s Disaster Services offers next series of training events for new volunteers

By Carolyn Neher

Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) is holding another series of training events for new volunteers this spring.

Trainings are offered on Feb. 20-21 in Beaufort, S.C., and in Bradford, Ohio, and on March 14-15 in La Verne, Calif.

Late fees will be waived for those registering for the Beaufort and Bradford trainings.

Volunteers who train for CDS are trained in trauma–informed interactions and in children’s behavior after disasters to provide a calm, safe space for children. Once certified, volunteers can provide their approximate availability. The CDS office can then gather teams more quickly to get volunteer teams to a shelter or assistance center following a disaster. Responses can be from one day to two weeks. Many CDS training areas are in regions with more frequent natural disasters. There is always a need for more volunteers.

Training dates and locations

Feb. 20-21
First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort
410 Church St.
Beaufort, SC 29902
(Friday 4:30 p.m. to Saturday 5 p.m.)

Feb. 20-21
Oakland Church of the Brethren
8058 Horatio-Harris Creek Rd.
Bradford, OH 45308
(Friday 4:30 p.m. to Saturday 5 p.m.)

March 14-15
La Verne Church of the Brethren
2425 E St.
La Verne, CA 91750
(Saturday 8:30 a.m. to Sunday 9 a.m.)

To register and for more information go to www.brethren.org/cds/training

— Carolyn Neher is associate director of Children’s Disaster Services.