Wildfire Assistance Resources (updated 2/3/2025)
RESOURCES
- National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
- Shelter from the Storm: A Parent Guide (ZERO TO THREE)
- Wildfire Recovery Fund (California Community Foundation)
- Trinka and Sam: The Big Fire (free disaster resource developed jointly with the National Child Traumatic Stress Network)
- Better Angels Emergency Assistance Fund (From Beth Tigay: It is a rapid-response fund to support low-income families affected by the fires. These grants are available for essentials such as food, clothing, and personal items, with applications being reviewed and funds distributed daily to ensure a quick response. In just two weeks, they’ve been able to assist 48 families impacted by the fires, distributing over $21K in aid.)
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The Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF) launched the LA RISE (Rebuilding and Investing in Service of Early Childhood Education) Grant and Forgivable Loan Fund, designed to support early childhood education (ECE) providers in Los Angeles County as they recover from the devastating 2025 wildfires and related extreme weather events. This initiative offers zero-percent interest forgivable loans and grants of up to $50,000 (or more, contingent upon available funding) to assist licensed centers and family child care homes in rebuilding facilities, replacing damaged equipment, and restoring operations.
To be eligible for this support, providers must serve children ages 0–5, have sustained documented damage from fire or weather events, and remain operational throughout the five-year loan forgiveness period.
With decades of experience in childcare financing and a proven track record of providing capital, technical assistance, and community-centered solutions, LIIF is well-equipped to lead this critical recovery effort.
We invite donors to contribute to this crucial initiative. Your generous contributions will help broaden our reach and impact of the LA RISE program, ensuring that even more early childhood education (ECE) providers can rebuild stronger and continue to offer high-quality, equitable child care to children and families throughout Los Angeles.
Contact:
Shelly Masur, ECE Vice President, Advisory and State Policy
smasur@liifund.org
415.489.6146 Ext 346
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Child Care Alliance of Los Angeles is a partnership of resource agencies throughout LA County that address the needs of parents, children, and childcare providers. We are in need of funding to support childcare providers with remediation services to reopen (especially items not covered by either insurance or FEMA), assistance in establishing emergency classrooms or spaces for providers who have lost their childcare facilities (homes and centers) as necessary, and connecting with families who have been misplaced and who need continued child care support. Please reach out to Cristina Alvarado <cristina.alvarado@ccala.net>, for more information.
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RESOURCES FROM LAIST
- A detailed guide to wildfire recovery resources, with specific information on childcare options for displaced families
- Expert advice for parents on helping children navigate the emotional toll of evacuations and potential home loss
- A guide on protecting children from wildfire air quality and ash
- An Imperfect Paradise podcast special featuring AirTalk‘s Larry Mantle discussing how Angelenos are processing this devastating event
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NEWS ARTICLES
- L.A. fires upend fragile child-care industry, sending providers, families scrambling (LA Times, Jan 25, 2025)
- For childcare providers, wildfires are just one more crisis (LAist, Jan 17, 2025)