4. Child-Specific Considerations

4.2. Community Considerations

Identifying Community Resources and Partnerships

Community organizations can provide guidance, resources, advocacy, and direct support during reunification. Potential partners include local child welfare agencies, the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross, family support centers, and other nonprofit or community-based organizations.

Collaboration with these organizations can help families access the services and support needed to navigate the reunification process. Each organization’s role, authority, capabilities, and vetting requirements should be established before an emergency.

Use Appendix D: Identifying Resources for Children Worksheet to assess resources and partnerships across urban, suburban, rural, tribal, and faith-based communities.

Key Resource Considerations

  • Educational partnerships: Identify opportunities to collaborate with the Bureau of Indian Education, tribal school districts, public and private schools, charter and parochial schools, early childhood programs, and homeschool networks.
  • Health care capacity: Assess the availability of pediatric primary care, emergency care, trauma services, behavioral health care, specialty care, urgent care, and hospital services.
  • Emergency medical readiness: Assess whether emergency medical services personnel have pediatric-specific training, equipment, protocols, and medical direction.
  • Child protective services and child welfare: Identify the agencies responsible for child protection, emergency placement, family support, and legal custody determinations.

Tribal Community Considerations

Planning should be conducted in partnership with tribal leadership and relevant tribal authorities. Additional considerations may include:

  • Determining whether a tribal enrollment or membership office can assist with verifying registered members.
  • Identifying the governing body or court with authority to determine legal custody of a child.
  • Confirming whether the tribe has a designated child health, child welfare, emergency management, or family reunification leader.
  • Identifying applicable tribal laws, customs, communication protocols, and data-sharing requirements.
Completing the worksheet can help jurisdictions assess readiness, strengthen partnerships, identify resource gaps, and ensure reunification centers are prepared to meet children’s unique needs.