Homeland Security
The Child Safety, Care and Education Continuity Act of 2010 (S. 2898)
In the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, approximately 1,500,000 residents along the Gulf Coast were displaced from their homes. An estimated 370,000 children were among those forced to leave their homes and schools behind. In the weeks that followed the catastrophic hurricanes, Congress recognized the important role that schools play in bringing a sense of stability and normalcy to children, particularly after traumatic events. However, at the time the hurricanes hit there was no system in place to deal with the large influx of new students across the United States. It took several months to pass the legislation that ultimately provided much needed support to schools working diligently to enroll evacuees.
The Child Safety, Care and Education Continuity Act of 2010 was introduced on December 17, 2009 with Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) codifying legislation passed by Congress after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita which sunset one year later. The legislation is a culmination of two hearings focusing on children and disasters held in August and December.
The Act provides:
- Tuition reimbursements for displaced students to host schools.
- Facilitates reciprocity of SCHIP and Medicaid benefits for displaced children.
- Provides mental health counseling through Head Start agencies.
- Increases displaced families’ access to federally funded child care programs, and
- Requires child care centers receiving federal grants to develop emergency plans for evacuation, reunification, special needs and temporary operating standards, and encourages states and localities to address child care facilities in their response plans.