Children with Special Healthcare Needs (CSHCN)/Children with Functional Access Needs (CFAN) Resources

American Academy of Pediatrics
Emergency Preparedness for Children with Special Health Care Needs
This link will take you to the website that provides resources specific to Children with Special Healthcare Needs developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Children with special healthcare needs are increasing, in particular children with assistive devices such as ventriculo-peritoneal shunts, gastrostomy tubes, indwelling central lines, tracheostomies, pacemakers, and home ventilators. Because of the complex and varied needs of these children, in the event of a crisis, they may be at even greater risk if there is a lack of information about their medical issues. This form can be used as a tool to transfer critical information about these children.

American Academy of Pediatrics/American College of Emergency Physicians
Emergency Information Form for Children with Special Needs
Emergency Information Form for Children with Autism
These two links will take you to the Emergency Information Form and the Emergency Information Form for Autism developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Emergency Physicians. Children with special healthcare needs are increasing, in particular children with assistive devices such as ventriculo-peritoneal shunts, gastrostomy tubes, indwelling central lines, tracheostomies, pacemakers, and home ventilators. Because of the complex and varied needs of these children, in the event of a crisis, they may be at even greater risk if there is a lack of information about their medical issues. This form can be used as a tool to transfer critical information about these children.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Keeping Children with Disabilities Safe in Emergencies
This site provides resources to families and emergency responders for how to address the additional challenges children with disabilities have during disasters.

Illinois Emergency Medical Services for Children
Children with Special Healthcare Needs Reference Guide‌
In a disaster event, typical interfacility transfer patterns to pediatric tertiary care centers may be disrupted.  Children with chronic conditions may need to be cared for at community hospitals.  This one page resource provides healthcare providers with quick reference information on troubleshooting assistive devices that may be seen in children with chronic conditions (e.g. tracheostomy, PICC line, CSF shunt, gastrostomy, colostomy, ureterostomy).

U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency
Ready America: Individuals with Disabilities or Access & Functional Needs
This website will link you to resources for how to prepare Americans with disabilities for an emergency situation. The website also includes instructional videos for preparing older adults, infants and children, families, and pets.