Region V for Kids: A Pediatric Center of Disaster Excellence–Four years of Experience Creating an Improved Network Within the Disaster Cycle for Children and Families in the USA

Abstract

Introduction:

Region V for kids (originally known as Eastern Great Lakes Consortium for Disaster Response ) is one of the US-ASPR (Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response) funded Pediatric Center of Disaster Excellence (PCOE), serving nearly 12 million children and families in a six state region of the United States.

Method:

The original goals set forth were: to develop a coordinated pediatric disaster care capability, strengthen pediatric disaster preparedness plans and coordination, enhance state and regional medical pediatric surge capacity, increase healthcare professional educational competency and enhance situational awareness of pediatric disaster care across the spectrum.

Results:

The COVID-19 pandemic occurred shortly after original funding and caused a pivot from preparation to response for the partners, enhancing the collaboration and coordination for the region. The many lessons from the COVID response have been important to creating more partnerships with federal agencies around situational awareness and considering social and physical determinants of health that effect children and families. The partnerships with state agencies and other key stakeholders have been valuable to close the gaps in the pediatric/family disaster cycle. There has been a multitude of tools and products that have been created and disseminated from this PCOE, including educational tools, behavioral health training and tools, virtual exercises and quality improvement projects. The best practices and ongoing projects highlight how to improve coordinated care for children and families within a region and is an example for the United States and beyond. There are also challenges to coordinated preparedness due to jurisdictional barriers and these are as important to highlight and create mitigation strategies.

Conclusion:

This US supported PCOE is an example of a regional disaster coordination to mitigate and prepare for response concentrating on the needs of children and families in the larger disaster cycle.