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.

After a YouTuber posted a video claiming that Minnesota child care centers receiving public funding were not providing services to children, the federal government froze child care funding for five majority-Democratic states.
Although we celebrate Provider Appreciation Day one day a year, the home-based child care providers who care for our children earn our gratitude and support every single day, every single moment of the year.
Hayley Village, a home-based child care provider in San Mateo County, California, shares her experience with unaffordable housing and what it means to have to relocate her family and her business.