Special Edition
My heart is heavy as I write this special edition message. The mass shooting in
Alice Kuo, MD, PhD, MBA, FAAP - President, AAP-CA2
Thousand Oaks and  current wildfires in that area are tragedies in our chapter that have occurred in just the last few days. I want to reach out to the pediatricians and families in those parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties and offer the resources of our chapter regarding gun violence (developed nationally) and wildfires (developed locally). As the wildfires are ongoing, the full extent and impact may not be known for days or weeks. Please reach out to us as your pediatric community with anything that you may need.

Thanks for all that you do on behalf of children in our communities.

Alice Kuo, MD, PhD, MBA, FAAP
Chapter President
 
AAP RESOURCES ON GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION
The AAP advocates for stronger state and federal gun laws that protect children, stronger background checks, and safe firearm storage. See below for links to recent statements from the AAP on gun violence.
Resources provided by David J. Schonfeld, MD, FAAP
 
Websites for information on how to support children after disasters

 
Hill and Woolsey Fires
The Hill and Woolsey Fires impact many in our region. We want to reach out to you, and be a resource for you, your families, your patients, and the broader community during this difficult time.
 
Attached you will find resources to serve as reference (temporary housing, mental health, smoke exposure, general info). Please inform us of specific needs within your community, especially if you are in the fire zones and surrounding vulnerable neighborhoods.
 
Please let us know how we can serve you and your patients best in this time of need by emailing the Chapter: chapter2@aap-ca.org
CalFire | Los Angeles Fire Department | Ventura County Emergency
Incident information.
 
Hill Fire: Santa Rosa Valley, Ventura

Woolsey Fire: Simi Valley/San Fernando Valley

More AAP Resources
Resources Provided by Dr. Stephanie Marcy
Workbook for Children: A good resource that physicians can give out to families in the clinics. Parents can work on it with their children to process and talk about their experience and trauma. Click to Access/Download the Workbook  
  
1. NCTSN.org  (National Child Traumatic Stress Network)  Lots of resources for parents, children, providers on how to help children who have experienced trauma, with some specific to natural disasters
 
2.  http://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/trinka_sam_the_big_fire.pdf  A free downloadable book for younger children that deals with the trauma of a fire (Also available on NCTSN website in Spanish)
 
3.  http://nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/ctg_book_09_09_11a.pdf  (Another free downloadable book for school age children that deals with death of father but could be extrapolated to other losses - addresses symptoms, feelings, getting help from a therapist after being referred by their pediatrician, etc.)

Smoke Exposure
Smoke Exposure Information
Not everyone who is exposed to smoke will have health problems. In fact, most healthy adults and children will recover quickly from smoke exposure and will not suffer long-term consequences. Still children, and individuals with asthma or other respiratory problems are at increased risk of the having symptoms of smoke exposure.  Read more...