Learning from the Past

Oklahoma

Marti Nicholson, Program Services Manager

Oklahoma Child Care Resource and Referral Association, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Here in Oklahoma City we have unfortunately had lots of experience with natural and man made disasters. Some things are helpful and others are not. I was at Rainbow Fleet during the Oklahoma City bombing and at GM during two tornados. Gail Upton has asked me to share some thoughts with you that are born of those experiences.

Child care facilities and schools will be asking how they can help victims and how they should talk with children about the disaster. Nearby states may well receive refugees including families with children.

Things that help:

• Cash contributions to reputable organizations
• Information for families
• Reassuring and honest conversation with children
• Responding to specific calls for help from people and organizations you trust

Things that don't help:

• Teddy bears
• Cards, letters, banners, etc.
• General, unsolicited donations of "stuff"

Why doesn't "stuff" help?

Our CCR&R received boxes and boxes of stuffed animals and other things in the wake of the Oklahoma City bombing with requests that they be shared with the children of Oklahoma City. The same thing happened at GM after the plant was hit by a tornado. The stuff had to be stored. It had to be given away. The logistics were a major headache. It helped the donor's feel involved, but on the receiving end, it kept us from using staff and resources in ways that would have been truly helpful.

What kind of information can families use?

NAEYC has an excellent brochure on helping children in the wake of a disaster. So does the Red Cross. Either organization can get them to you quickly. I learned to keep a supply on hand, just in case.

What do I mean by specific calls for help?

The organizations closest to the disaster will know best what is needed. They will use contacts with people and organizations they trust to meet the need. For example, Rainbow Fleet contacted NACCRRA in the wake of the bombing to help find donations of equipment to reopen the downtown YMCA Child Development Center. NACCRRA used its contacts with distributors. The rapid relocation was nothing short of a miracle.