On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall along the Central Gulf Coast region of the United States. The storm and its aftermath resulted in the most severe, damaging, and costly natural and unnatural disaster in the nation s history as evidenced by the size of the region affected, the loss of life, the extensive destruction of property, and the thousands displaced. Over 2 years post-disaster, many families lived in temporary housing and had limited access to basic services; to date, many continue to struggle to meet basic needs. Furthermore, the mental health needs of many survivors remain largely unmet and disproportionately so for marginalized, disenfranchised segments of the affected population. The magnitude of Hurricane Katrina and the associated shortcomings in disaster planning and relief interventions have provided mental health and social service professionals, as well as policy makers, with critical information for the improved handling of future disasters. The present volume examines key lessons learned and offers a blueprint for better meeting the needs of children, families, and communities post-disaster through well-timed, targeted responses and interventions. Broadly guided by a bioecological framework, it highlights significant issues in post-disaster work; considers the range of risks, resources, and factors related to post-disaster adaptation; emphasizes community-level provision of resources, services, and supports; and provides actionable recommendations and practical applications for future disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. The editors and contributors experiences with children, caregivers, educators, and practitioners in Louisiana and Mississippi lend a compassionate perspective to the analysis of research and further underscore the significance of the recommendations put forth. -book jacket

Supporting children post-Katrina : reflections on psychosocial principles in practice / Leslie Snider ... [et al.] -- The caregiver-child relationship and children's adjustment following Hurricane Katrina / Virginia Gil-Rivas ... [et al.] -- The effects of parenting behavior on children's mental health after Hurricane Katrina : preliminary findings / Mary Lou Kelley ... [et al.] -- Family resilience and resiliency following Hurricane Katrina / Robin Knowles, Diane D. Sasser, and M.E. Betsy Garrison -- Consequences for classroom environments and school personnel : evaluating Katrina's effect on schools and system response / Teresa K. Buchanan, Renée M. Casbergue, and Jennifer J. Baumgartner -- Service needs of children and families affected by Hurricane Katrina / Ariana Shahinfar ... [et al.] -- Implications of major disaster for educators, administrators, and school-based mental health professionals : needs, actions, and the example of Mayfair Elementary / Ryan P. Kilmer, Virginia Gil-Rivas, and Jacqueline MacDonald -- Social and community responses : assessing relationships among environmental supports in child and caregiver adjustment following a hurricane / R. Enrique Varela, Lauren Hensley-Maloney, and Eric M. Vernberg -- The roles of faith-based organizations after Hurricane Katrina / Brenda Phillips and Pamela Jenkins -- The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina : mental health considerations and lessons learned / Joy D. Osofsky ... [et al.] -- Community resilience and wellness for the children exposed to Hurricane Katrina / Betty Pfefferbaum, Rose L. Pfefferbaum, and Fran H. Norris -- Lessons learned from Katrina and other devastating hurricanes : steps necessary for adequate preparedness, response, and intervention / Wendy K. Silverman, Andrea Allen, and Claudio D. Ortiz.