Website Links for resources around effects of Bushfires on children
Here are some links to useful articles and resources around the effects of bushfires on children which will be useful for your staff and families.
· Effects of Bushfires on Children – Article written by Australian Early Childhood Association Inc
http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/pdf/papers/Bushfires2003.pdf
· Parenting and Child Health – Bushfires and Children
http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=114&np=141&id=1893
· The Australian Psychological Society
http://www.psychology.org.au/news/media_releases
· Media Release: Government schools affected by bushfires will be closed today. View the latest information from the Department including closed schools http://www.education.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/public/commrel/mediarelat/mediarel/firesmedia.pdf
· Early Childhood Services have also been affected by the fires. Parents with queries should contact their service directly or their local council. Queries can also be directed to the Early Childhood Information Line on 1300 731 947.
· Australian Early Childhood Foundation fact sheet on the effects of bushfires on children: http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/pdf/papers/Bushfires2003.pdf
· There are a range of support services which offer personal, emotional, psychological and financial help to those affected by the fires across Victoria. Click here to link to DHS page: http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/emergency/current-events/bushfire follow the links for information on financial help, coping with stress, health information, finding a relief recovery centre, and how to offer help.
· Australian Network for Promotion, Prevention and Early Intervention for Mental Health (Auseinet) assist a range of sectors to implement mental health promotion and illness prevention approaches in their respective settings. Download tip sheet on children and bushfires which looks at the impact of bushfires and children, children’s losses, grief reactions, preschool children, early years of school, later primary school years, later primary school years, what you can do to help, and practical things: http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=114&np=141&id=1893#1
· Life line factsheet:
Helping your children cope with the after effects of the bushfire disaster- http://www.lifeline.org.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/7905/bushfires.pdf
· Helping Children after a bushfire
The Department of Education and Training have produced a small booklet with the above title. It’s been designed to assist Teachers and Parents to handle possible reactions of students after a Natural Disaster.
· Air quality – smoke; For further information about air quality monitoring, smoke visibility and health advice refer to the Bushfires and air quality page on the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) website: http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/air/bushfires/default.asp
· Drinking water quality; Emergencies such as bushfires sometimes impact on drinking water supply or quality. In all cases, further information can be obtained from the relevant water authority. Click for list of drinking water company address list: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/environment/water/d-watercomp.htm
· The Better Health Channel
§ Trauma and Children- http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Trauma_and_children?open&source=homepage&linktype=Topics-Quote&ppnl=Topics&ppos=Quote
§ All about bushfires: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Trauma_and_children?open&source=homepage&linktype=Topics-Quote&ppnl=Topics&ppos=Quote
§ Workplace health; coping with a critical incident- http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Workplace_health_coping_with_a_critical_incident?OpenDocument
§ Bushfire aftermath (hazards)- http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Workplace_health_coping_with_a_critical_incident?OpenDocument
§ Fear and anxiety (children)- http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Fear_and_anxiety_children?OpenDocument
§ Rural Areas:
§ Rural health services support- http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Rural_health_services_support_available?OpenDocument
§ Rural issues; losing the farm- http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Rural_issues_losing_the_farm?OpenDocument
§ Rural issues; stress management- http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Rural_issues_stress_management?OpenDocument
§ Rural issues; suggestions for families in crisis- http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Rural_issues_suggestions_for_families_in_crisis?OpenDocument
§ Stress affects us in many ways- http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Stress_affects_us_in_many_ways?OpenDocument
§ Stress can become a serious illness- http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Stress_can_become_a_serious_illness?OpenDocument
§ Stress in everyday life- http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Stress_in_everyday_life?OpenDocument
· DHS fact sheets on people in emergency situations:
§ Stress after emergencies- http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/emergency/current-events/bushfire/fact-sheet-stress-after-emergencies
§ When someone you know has had a traumatic experience- http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/emergency/current-events/bushfire/fact-sheet-when-someone-you-know-has-had-a-traumatic-experience
§ The stress of being under threat- http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/emergency/current-events/bushfire/fact-sheet-the-stress-of-being-under-threat
§ Family crisis- http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/emergency/current-events/bushfire/fact-sheet-family-and-crisis
§ Teenagers and crisis- http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/emergency/current-events/bushfire/fact-sheet-teenagers-and-crisis
§ Children and crisis- http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/emergency/current-events/bushfire/fact-sheet-children-and-crisis
§ Dealing with financial matters after an emergency- http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/emergency/current-events/floods/fact-sheet-dealing-with-financial-matters-after-an-emergency
· DHS fact sheets on environmental health:
§ Ash from CCA-treated timber- http://www.health.vic.gov.au/environment/emergency_mgmnt/ash.htm
§ Bushfire smoke and health- http://www.health.vic.gov.au/environment/emergency_mgmnt/bushfire_smoke.htm
§ Cleaning up after a bushfire- http://www.health.vic.gov.au/environment/emergency_mgmnt/cleaning_up.htm
§ Food safety- http://www.health.vic.gov.au/environment/emergency_mgmnt/food_safety.htm
§ Fire retardants and health- http://www.health.vic.gov.au/environment/emergency_mgmnt/fire_retardants.htm
§ Heat stress - preventing heat related illness- http://www.health.vic.gov.au/environment/emergency_mgmnt/heat_stress.htm
§ Water tanks and bushfires- http://www.health.vic.gov.au/environment/emergency_mgmnt/water_tanks.htm
· DHS Grants:
§ Temporary living and re-establishment grants: A temporary living and re-establishment grant are available to people whose principal place of residence has been made uninhabitable by bushfire. These grants are means tested. Click here for DHS fact sheet: http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/emergency/current-events/bushfire/major-grant
§ Emergency grant: An emergency grant of up to $1,067 is available per household for immediate and urgent accommodation, food and personal needs. The amount of each grant is based on need. Click here for DHS fact sheet: http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/emergency/current-events/bushfire/fact-sheet-personal-hardship-grants---emergency-grant
§ Temporary living and re-establishment grants: A temporary living and re-establishment grant are available to people whose principal place of residence has been made uninhabitable by bushfire. These grants are means tested. Click here for DHS fact sheet: http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/emergency/current-events/bushfire/major-grant
§ Australian Government Disaster
Recovery Payment: A
Commonwealth grant has been made available to provide short-term financial
assistance to those affected by these fires. Further information is
available on the Disaster Assist website www.disasterassist.gov.au/vic_fires_09/index.htm
· Australian Red Cross Victorian Bushfires 2009 appeal: http://www.redcross.org.au/vic/services_emergencyservices_victorian-bushfires-appeal-2009.htm
· DHS emergency management website: http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/emergency/
· Victorian Bushfire Information Line; For information on fires in Victoria
and general fire safety advice, contact the Victorian Bushfire Information Line
on freecall 1800 240 667. Callers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a
speech / communication impairment may call textphone / telewriter (TTY) on 1800
122 969.
Information is also available at the Department of Sustainability and
Environment website at http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/DSE/nrenfoe.nsf/LinkView/519C51D981DAE41FCA257257000A5163DC25C965BDA0CAF5CA2573B400013504
and the Country Fire Authority website at http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/ .
· http://www.aboutourkids.org/files/articles/jan_feb_0.pdf
· http://www.aacap.org/page.ww?section=Facts+for+Families&name=Helping+Children+After+A+Disaster