Provider Preparedness Tool: Strengthening Child Care Homes and Spaces for Emergencies

Two children play with colorful shape blocks and a shape-sorting house at a table, with an adult nearby.

In recent years, severe weather and natural disasters in the U.S. have become more frequent. Floods, hurricanes (including both wind damage and flooding), wildfire, ice storms, and extreme heat pose growing risks to communities, especially those already facing economic or housing instability.

Home Grown and LISC created this preparedness tool for HBCC and small scale center-based provider preparedness: taking proactive steps before a disaster to reduce harm and impact from severe weather and natural disasters. Recovery begins after the immediate danger has passed and focuses on rebuilding, reconnecting, and regaining stability. Both preparedness and recovery are essential to building resilience, especially for HBCC providers who serve as a vital link in the support system for communities.

The celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month is particularly important for the early care and education (ECE) field. For over 25 years, Jacqueline Chávez has provided child care to her community as a family child care provider.
La celebración del Mes de la Herencia Hispana es particularmente importante para el sistema del cuidado infantil. Por más de 25 años, Jacqueline Chávez ha brindado cuidado infantil bilingüe a su comunidad como una proveedora de cuidado infantil familiar.
Over the past several months, the Home Grown team has worked with provider leaders and our advisory communities to develop a set of principles for what a universal child care system should look like when it fully includes home-based child care. The result is our first draft of a shared vision: Universal Child Care, Built From Home.