FAM
Emergency Information
For families caring for children in kinship, foster/pre-adoptive care .
snow scene




Even though the current forecast for the storm this weekend indicates it will most likely be a typical New England winter snow event, we wanted to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the protocol for weather-related emergencies and provide some useful tips and website links.

Although many of the instructions below are for licensed caregivers, all families can benefit from being prepared in case of weather-related emergencies.

In preparation for extreme weather situations, please be sure to:
  1. Please continue to have up-to-date conversations with your FASU Support Worker or your private agency support worker if you have an equipment-dependent or equipment-assisted medically complex foster child in your home. This will insure that the equipment needs of the child can/will be met in the event power is lost and/or relocation is necessary.  Be sure to let your local fire department know you have an equipment-dependent child in your home.  
  2. Have emergency provisions - water, batteries, extra food....
  3. Find out what your town will do in an emergency by calling town hall.  2-1-1 may help with shelter information.
  4. Ensure there is sufficient supply of medications and/or supplies to sustain your foster child(ren) for an additional 7-10 days.
  5. If you plan on using a generator, please have it tested and have an adequate fuel source/supply.
  6. Have a back up plan to either relocate or to stay at home with a plan - please let your Support Worker know about your back-up plan.
  7. For any family caring for a child with complex medical needs who regularly uses technology or electronic devices such as a respirator or nebulizer, please be sure to have a back-up generator.  If you do not have a generator be sure to contact the child's worker and your support worker for assistance.  
  8. Call your FASU Support Worker (between 8am & 5 pm), your private agency support worker (all of them have 24 hour support numbers) or the DCF Careline (1-800-842-2288 after hours) if your family is displaced due to weather-related emergencies.

 

First Aid Kit
For all Connecticut Residents/families:

Governor Malloy and DEMHS offer
the following preparedness tips:

Have a Basic Emergency Supply Kit consisting of:
  • One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
  • At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
  • Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • First aid kit
  • A whistle to signal for help
  • Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
  • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
  • Can opener
  • Local maps
  • Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger.
Prepare a family emergency plan:
  • Identify an out-of town contact.  It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.
  • Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has a cell phone, coins, or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact.  If you have a cell phone, program that person(s) as "ICE" (In Case of Emergency) in your phone. If you are in an accident, emergency personnel will often check your ICE listings in order to get a hold of someone you know.  Make sure to tell your family and friends that you've listed them as emergency contacts.
  • Teach family members how to use text messaging.  Text messages can often get around network disruptions when a phone call might not be able to get through.
This newsletter is in support of and not a replacement for a conversation between you and your support workers.  As part of your case management your worker will regularly go over emergency-preparedness with his/her assigned families to insure that the entire team is prepared for any weather-related emergencies. 

It is our fondest hope that you will not need to utilize any of the above information this winter, however, we hope to be able to help you prepare by providing you with this friendly reminder.
 
Stay safe and warm in the coming days,
 

Deb Kelleher
FAM
Contact Us
Northwestern CT Regional Coordinator:         Deb Kelleher 203.706.0101   Email 
Greater New Haven Area Regional Coordinators:
Ashley Minihan 203.394.8506  Email  
Laura Rainey   Email 
Central/Southeastern CT Coordinator:         Alana Jones 860.710.1593  Email