Resources for Children and Families Helping children: For families directly affected by Katrina How can we explain such tragedy and devastation? How can we make our children feel safe when we ourselves are so deeply shaken? We simply do the best we can. We take small steps. Those who have worked with families directly impacted by disaster recommend that immediately after the disaster, adults' first priority must be to try to reduce children's fears and anxiety. Keep the family together, even when searching for assistance and housing. Children will be concerned that they could lose you as well. Encourage children to ask questions, talk and express their feelings. Be calm and straightforward in your responses. It's okay to tell children that there are some things that you are still figuring out. Reassure them of your love and affirm your commitment to getting family life back to normal. Let them know that prayers, love, and wishes are being sent to them by children and families from across the country, because this is so very true. · Helping Children Handle Disaster-Related Anxiety  http://nmha.org/reassurance/children.cfm Developed by the National Mental Health Association, this brief resource outlines how children and adolescents may express disaster-related anxiety, and ways that adults can support them. · Managing Traumatic Stress: After Hurricane Katrina http://www.apahelpcenter.org/articles/article.php?id=107 This fact-sheet, developed by the American Psychological Association, provides an overview of how to support families recovering from the hurricane disaster.  With specific attention to children and adults, the sheet provides a concise, comprehensive, resource. · Reactions and Guidelines for Children following Trauma/Disaster http://www.apa.org/practice/ptguidelines.html Developed by the American Psychological Association (APA), this is an excellent resource for supporting school age, middle school age, and high school students who are directly affected by the disaster.  For each age group, this resource provides sections on "What to expect after trauma: possible reactions," "What can teachers do to help?" and "What can parents do to help?" · Hurricane Katrina Resources http://www.swuuc.org/hurricaneresources.html Compiled by the Southwestern Unitarian Universalist District, these linked resources are particularly helpful for families directly affected by the disaster. · More links available at www.uua.org