Thursday, December 17, 2009

Example of an Emergency Plan that worked

I blogged about the importance of having an emergency plan in place a while back. I just received the below story in my email from Exchange Every Day. It is an account of how the Child Care Programs on Fort Hood responded to the shootings last month. Just another example of why you need to be prepared for the unexpected.


On November 5, 2009, a shooter opened fire at Fort Hood — the most populous United States military post in the world, located just outside Killeen, Texas — killing 13 people and wounding 31 others. This could have had a devastating and dangerous impact on the 1,000 children in the post's four child development centers and the 300 children in 49 family child care homes were it not for the swift and sure response of the post's child development team. Exchange interviewed J. Yveta Phillips, the Chief of Child, Youth and School Services at Fort Hood about that day...

At approximately 1:45 pm Phillips received a call that "a possible shooter was on the post" and instructing her to exercise "shelter in place." By 1:55 pm all four centers and 49 homes were "locked down." What this means is that all children were brought inside the centers, doors and windows were locked, no child or adult was allowed to enter or leave the facilities, and children and staff were instructed to stay away from windows. This lock down was in effect until 7:10 that evening. Parents were not allowed to pick up their children throughout the lock down. In addition, parents who happened to be at the center at the time were not allowed to leave and staff who were away on break were not allowed to return to their centers.

Throughout the time in lock down, teachers at the centers and homes carried on normal early childhood activities with the children so they would not experience the tension. Parents, who couldn't leave the centers, pitched in playing with the children. This worked extremely well and the only sign of discomfort occurred when it got dark and the youngest children wondered why their parents weren't picking them up. Staff were given time to call their families and check on their own children during the lock down.

To limit anxiety, Yveta made a decision not to pass on to staff all the wild and obviously inaccurate rumors flying about on the Internet. The only really stressful incident that occurred was when a SWAT team showed up at one of the centers in response to a false tip.

When the lock down was lifted, parents started arriving to pick up their children, with the last child, whose father was shot and wounded, not picked up until nearly 10 pm. When parents arrived, they were advised not to talk about the happenings of the day until they were at home. Managers ensured parents were provided with handouts containing talking points on how to discuss the incident with their children. In addition, counselors were stationed at every center for parents or staff who needed help dealing with the issues involved.

Looking back, Phillips was impressed and thankful for the professionalism of all the post's early childhood employees. In the following days, the programs received high praise from parents. Finally, Ms. Phillips observed that the response proved the value and effectiveness of their emergency preparedness training.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009


Child Care Answers hopes that you have an enjoyable holiday season. Our office hours will be altered during the Holidays. Please see below for office closings:


December 24th - We will close at noon
December 25th - Closed all day

December 31st- We will close at noon
January 1 - Closed all day

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Be a Kid Again: Educator Networking Night


For Teachers of Grades Pre K–2Wednesday, Feb. 10, 20104:30–7:30 p.m.Enjoy an evening of fun and learning! Join museum staff and teachers of Grades PreK–2 to discover ways to make curriculum connections at The Children's Museum. Explore the entire museum and don't miss our newest temporary exhibits: Bob the Builder™—Project: Build It and Barbie™: The Fashion Experience.Bob the Builder™—Project: Build It is presented by Delta Faucet, and produced by HIT Entertainment and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. The exhibit is supported locally by Veolia Water. ©2009 Hit Entertainment and Keith Chapman.Event Highlights and Activities:

Learn about curriculum connectionsthroughout the museum

Participate in professional development sessionswith Dr. Beverly Reitsma: Literacy at the Museum

See a planetarium show
Secret of the Cardboard Rocket
One World, One Sky

Learn about educational field trip programs

Receive a free copy of the museum's book,Martimus at Midnight

Dinner will be provided.

Fee: $5 (nonrefundable)Registration Deadline: Wednesday, Feb. 3 Register online or call call (317) 334-4000.

Window Covering Safety Council Recalls to Repair All Roman and Roll-Up Blinds Due to Risk of Strangulation

Window Covering Safety Council Recalls to Repair All Roman and Roll-Up Blinds Due to Risk of Strangulation

Keep the kids entertained during the holiday vacation –inexpensively

Bring the family Downtown during school break
Most school-aged children are on vacation for two weeks and the budget’s blown on holiday gifts…What’s a parent to do? Listed below are several ideas to keep the kids busy without spending a fortune.

Active
•Bundle up and take a walk around The Canal and White River State Park or Monument Circle admiring the Circle of Lights® presented by the Contractors of Quality Connection and Electrical Workers of IBEW 481 (until Jan. 8) & twinkle lights in the trees – FREE.
•Go swimming at the Natatorium on the campus of IUPUI.
•Go duckpin bowling at Action Duckpin Bowl or Atomic Bowl Duckpin in Fountain Square.
•Take a twirl around the ice skating rink at the Indiana/World Academy Skating Academy in Pan Am Plaza. It’s a cheap treat – $4 or less to skate!
•Test your skills at the Amazing Games arcade at Jillian's in Downtown Indy. Afterwards, grab a bite to eat at the Hibachi Grill or the Video Café, located inside Jillian’s.

Educational
•Take a guided memorial tour and visit the Eli Lilly Civil War Museum, located in the basement of the Indiana Soldiers & Sailors Monument (open Wednesday through Sunday) – FREE.
•Take a tour through the Indianapolis Museum of Art or check out Christmas at the Lilly House. – FREE (parking included.)
•Visit holidays past at the beautifully decorated President Benjamin Harrison Home, dressed up in all the trappings of holidays past at the White House. He was the first president to decorate a tree in the White House.
•Kids will love the hands-on approach at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, where kids of all ages are encouraged to touch and let their imaginations take over! Don’t miss The Children’s Museum Jolly Days Winter Wonderland through Jan. 10. This event features a Snow Castle, Yule Slide and the interactive “animation” exhibit. In addition, the Children’s Museum will display Barbie: The Fashion Experience until Feb. 1.
•View the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art’s unique exhibits. (IUPUI students get in FREE.)
•Visit the past at the Morris Butler House Museum and the James Whitcomb Riley Home.
•It’s tea time! Take the family to the Indianapolis Propylaeum’s Holiday Children’s Tea “The World of Marionettes” Dec. 29.

Entertainment
•Visit the Indianapolis Zoo for Christmas at the Zoo & Woodland Wonderland presented by Community Health Network until Dec. 30. Enjoy the Zoo grounds covered in holiday lights, special animal shows and the new Woodland Wonderland display inside the Hilbert Conservatory.
•Don’t miss your last chance to see Peewinkle’s Christmas Puppet Show in 2009! This Downtown tradition will take place on Dec. 29 at the Indiana State Museum.
•Follow the yellow brick road to The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis for “The Marvelous Land of Oz” through Jan. 3! •See the magic of Disney’s A Christmas Carol at the IMAX Theatre in the Indiana State Museum from now – Jan. 7. This new release will fill you and yours with holiday cheer!

Sports
•See the World Champion Indianapolis Colts in action vs. the New York Jets Dec. 27 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
•Cheer on your Indiana Pacers as they take on the Atlanta Hawks Dec. 26 and the Memphis Grizzlies Dec. 30 at Conseco Fieldhouse.