Pediatric Disaster Center of Excellence
REGION V FOR KIDS
-
![]()
Education
Empowering Pediatric Emergency Preparedness
Region V for Kids develops programs to equip healthcare professionals, first responders, and communities with the essential knowledge and skills to safeguard children during disasters. Our initiatives include pediatric disaster education, family reunification strategies, hands-on training, and evidence-based best practices. Together, we are strengthening preparedness and building a safer future for children across the Great Lakes Region.
-
![]()
Disaster Exercises
Preparing for the Unexpected
Region V for Kids designs and conducts disaster exercises, including tabletop and functional exercises to enhance pediatric emergency response and readiness. These simulations, along with the development of Concept of Operations (CONOPS), help hospitals, first responders, and communities prepare for real-world scenarios, ensuring they can effectively protect children during crises. Through hands-on training, strategic planning, and collaboration, we build a resilient system that prioritizes kids' safety.
-
![]()
Resources
Essential Tools for Pediatric Emergency Care
Region V for Kids provides a comprehensive suite of resources to enhance pediatric disaster preparedness and response. Our materials include clinical guidelines, training tools, and best practices tailored to support healthcare providers, first responders, and communities. We focus on key areas such as children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN), hazard vulnerability analysis (HVA), trauma, pediatric facility preparedness, supply chain, and telehealth. By equipping professionals with the knowledge and tools they need, we help ensure the safety and well-being of children in emergencies.
Our Mission
The mission of Region V for Kids is to build on existing foundations in pediatric clinical care and emergency response by enhancing coordination mechanisms and incorporating relevant capabilities at the local, state and regional levels.
The overall goal of the Region V for Kids is to harness and develop best-practices around pediatric disaster preparedness and response to be shared with other children’s and non-children’s hospitals and affiliated entities in the region.
The consortium brings together private and public entities (regional healthcare coalitions, emergency medical services, public health and emergency managers) as well as representatives from national organizations (American Academy of Pediatrics, Emergency Nurses Association, American College of Emergency Physicians) to provide a multi-pronged approach to address gaps within the care of children across the disaster cycle spectrum of mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery for nearly 12 million children. Each entity in Region V for Kids provides unique local and state level expertise (telemedicine, evidence based clinical guidelines, simulation education, drill scenario expertise and special care units) and have integrated leadership roles within their RHCs.
Where We Work
University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital (Cleveland, OH)
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital (Cincinnati, OH)
CS Mott Children’s Hospital/University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)
Nationwide Children’s Hospital (Columbus, OH)
Lurie Children’s Hospital (Chicago, IL)
Children’s Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN)
Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital (Grand Rapids, MI)
Children’s Wisconsin (Milwaukee, WI)
Riley Children’s Hospital (Indianapolis, IN)
The consortium is led by University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. It comprises eight other children's hospitals in the Great Lakes Region - Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
Latest News & Events
