During the recovery phase, a program takes action to resume services as soon as possible when the emergency is over and to help everyone cope with the results of the disaster. The first recovery efforts often focus on making sure everyone is safe and restoring access to food, water, and shelter. Another important activity is completing a damage assessment to see if you need to repair or rebuild your facilities. See the Recover section of the Natural Disasters and Head Start Facilities guide for more information.
If your program offers comprehensive services, do what you can to meet the education, nutrition, and health and mental health needs of children and families until you can resume operations fully. Recovery continues through repair, rebuilding, and resuming normal routines.
Keep Mental Health in Mind
Be sure to include resources to support the mental health needs of children, families, and staff. Offering a supportive, caring environment and following consistent routines can help restore a sense of normalcy for children and adults who have experienced a disaster.
Throughout the recovery phase, review your disaster preparedness plan and update it with lessons learned.
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Resource Type: Article
National Centers: Health, Behavioral Health, and Safety
Audience: Directors and Managers
Last Updated: June 5, 2025