Emergency Preparedness – Provider

• Emergency Go-Kits
  • The Department has contracted with Supply Bank who will purchase go-kit items, assemble the go-kits and deliver go-kits to regional centers who will provide to individuals qualified to receive a go-kit as well as who attended the go-kit training session.
  • Go-Kit training slides are now available in multiple languages:
    • Emergency Go-Kit Trainings Slides
      • Spanish
      • Arabic
      • Armenian
      • Laotian
      • Chinese
      • Tagalog
      • Vietnamese

• Portable Batteries
  • The Department has contracted with California Foundation of Independent Living Centers (CFILC) and the Disability Disaster Access and Resources (DDAR) program to provide individuals with portable batteries to those requiring power for life-sustaining equipment. To learn more about DDAR please click here.

• Emergency Preparedness Materials
  • The Department contracted with American Red Cross and developed emergency preparedness training materials preparing individuals and staff for wildfire evacuation.  The training slides, training materials, resources, and tools can be found here:
    • Powerpoint
    • Wildfire Evacuation Conversation Starter
    • Wildfire Evacuation Individuals Served Flier
    • Wildfire Evacuation Staff Flier
    • Certificate of Completion
    • Presentation Recording (Length: 1:03:30)
    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

This Story book is designed for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who were affected by the wildfires in California. However, it can be helpful to anyone. It uses strategies drawn from evidence-based interventions for trauma care. It is written in plain language to give words to what happened and what people are experiencing, with the hope to help people feel safe and begin to heal.

The first version of this story book was developed for people who were impacted by the 2023 wildfires in Maui, Hawai’i. This California story book edition was dedicated to the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and the families they serve, from our neighbors in Hawai’i. Our Hawai’i partners stand in support and healing, and hope this resource brings comfort and strength as you navigate recovery.

DDS would like to personally thank our partners at the Center on Disability Studies, College of Education, University of Hawai’i at Manoa; specifically Maya Matheis, PhD for making this dedication and sharing this valuable recovery resource.

• The Department contracted and facilitated a collaborative workgroup to develop communication cards for the deaf + community to be utilize during emergency response.  The goal of these communication cards is to assist with 2-way communications with shelter staff and first responders.  Digital copies of these communication cards can be found here:
  • Medical Needs
  • People
  • Basic Needs
  • Shelter Arrival
  • Feelings
  • Support Needs
  • My Home Has