Responding to the psychosocial needs of children and families in disasters.

Pediatric health care professionals play a critical role in disaster response by assisting parents, teachers, and health care organizations to meet the unique needs of children, adolescents, and families during all phases of disaster. Addressing the psychosocial needs of this vulnerable population by providing age-appropriate care and facilitating adaptive coping strategies has the potential to decrease the long-term behavioral health consequences and help children positively adjust to a stressful life experience.