New resource book delves into a topic that rarely receives attention–post-disaster recovery–and the advance planning that leads to more successful outcomes
Recovering from an emergency or disaster is a Herculean task—and certainly one that should not be underestimated. We know from past disasters that children, older adults, people with disabilities, and those living in poverty are the most vulnerable to experiencing adverse effects after a disaster. While you can’t stop a disaster from happening, especially when Mother Nature is the force behind it, you can limit the amount of time your early childhood program is closed, pick up the pieces, and return to normal as quickly as possible. The key is advance planning.
Preschool Preparedness for After a Disaster, the third and arguably most important book in the Preparing for the Unexpected series written by Andrew Roszak, JD, MPA, EMT-P, delves into a topic that rarely receives attention–post-disaster recovery. The first book, Preschool Preparedness for an Active Shooter, focuses on increasing the safety and security of your facility. The second book, Preschool Preparedness for an Emergency, focuses on planning for an emergency and creating procedures for use during an emergency. This third book covers the aftermath of the emergency and walks through the various phases of disaster recovery.
“The publication of this book has been delayed on three different occasions due to unique situations and circumstances,” says Roszak. “First, the emergency of COVID-19 and the ensuing pandemic caused a delay. Second, the book was put on hold as my wife and I celebrated the birth of our first child, which gave new meaning and emphasis to the important, daily work of early childhood professionals. The book was delayed for a third time when my family lived through a horrific tornado that struck our community, leaving eighty-six homes damaged or destroyed, another fifty-six condemned, and three of our neighbors dead. This terrible event occurred when our daughter had just turned three weeks old. Ironically, our personal exposure to natural disaster made the content of this book more informed and detailed than I previously would have thought possible.”
Preschool Preparedness for After a Disaster ($19.95, 88 pages, 7”x10”, paperback, ISBN 978-0-87659-916-7) by Andrew Roszak, JD, MPA, EMT-P, will be available in September 2022 from Gryphon House. It is the third book in the Preparing for the Unexpected series. Mr. Roszak is available for media inquiries. Digital review copies may be requested through Edelweiss.
Andrew Roszak, JD, MPA, EMT-P, serves as the Executive Director at the Institute for Childhood Preparedness, an organization that works to enhance emergency preparedness, response, and recovery for early childhood professionals. Previously, he served as the Senior Director for Emergency Preparedness at Child Care Aware of America. He is a co-author of the Head Start Emergency Preparedness Manual.
Gryphon House is an award-winning publisher of resource books designed to help early childhood educators and families with children from birth through age understand and successfully apply today’s theories and best practices of early education.
