About the National Advisory Committee on Children and Disasters (NACCD)
There are approximately 81 million children in the U.S. and they face unique health challenges in a disaster. The U.S. needs to be ready to provide medical care for children during disasters and treating children requires unique medical expertise, equipment and supplies.
The National Advisory Committee on Children and Disasters (NACCD) evaluates issues and programs and provide findings, advice, and recommendations to the Secretary of HHS to support and enhance all-hazards public health and medical preparedness, response activities, and recovery aimed at meeting the unique needs of children, in a developmentally and socially appropriate manner, across the entire spectrum of their physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral wellbeing.
The HHS Secretary, in consultation with such other heads of federal agencies as may be appropriate, will appoint a maximum of 25 members to the NACCD, ensuring that the total membership is an odd number. The NACCD shall consist of at least 13 non-federal voting members, including the Chairperson, including:
At least 2 non-federal professionals with expertise in pediatric medical disaster planning, preparedness, response, or recovery;
At least 2 representatives from State, local, Tribal, or territorial agencies with expertise in pediatric disaster planning, preparedness, response, or recovery;
At least 4 members representing health care professionals, which may include members with expertise in pediatric emergency medicine; pediatric trauma, critical care, or surgery; the treatment of pediatric patients affected by chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear agents, including emerging infectious diseases; pediatric mental or behavioral health related to children affected by a public health emergency; or pediatric primary care; and
Other members as the Secretary determines appropriate, of whom—
At least one such member shall represent a children's hospital;
At least one such member shall represent a children's hospital;
At least one such member shall be an individual with expertise in children and youth with special health care needs; and
At least one such member shall be an individual with expertise in the needs of parents or family caregivers, including the parents or caregivers of children with disabilities.
The NACCD is required by section 2811A of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. § 300hh-10b) as amended by the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act (PAHPAIA, Public Law 112-66) and governed by the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. App.).