How prepared R U? Head Start parents prepare for natural disasters

Natural disasters are part of life, especially in Southern California where earthquakes, mudslides and fires are regular occurrences. While we live with this knowledge and are often encouraged to be prepared many of us are not, and for people who are poor and language isolated, such preparedness is even less likely. To address such preparedness challenges a group of MPH students worked with low income parents and teachers of a Southern CA Head Start program located on several earthquake fault lines and surrounded by dense vegetation of the arid Southern CA climate resulting in regular fire and subsequent mud-slide danger. To inform program development, students conducted a targeted needs and assets assessment (NA+A) with parents, teachers, administrators, and community members. Data were collected through windshield surveys, literature reviews, site observations, theory-based semi-structured interviews, and a confirmatory focus group. Data were coded, themed and analyzed using Grounded Theory methods. Results indicate that participants lacked preparedness knowledge and encountered many barriers to preparedness such as lack of financial resources, time, life stresses, and inadequate realistic plans with respect to reacting during such disasters. Participants requested a hands-on-training that included first aid and CPR training, and tips that would help them prepare an effective but low cost survival kit. NA+A results were used to develop, implement and evaluate a pilot program using process and impact. Program activities and written materials were conducted/prepared in English and Spanish Results of the NA+A process and pilot study will be discussed in light of program sustainability.