ONGOING INITIATIVE
FAMILY PREPAREDNESS PLANS
A Family Preparedness Plan is a document where parents and caregivers can list important information about themselves, their families, and their children in case they have to be absent, like in the event of detention or deportation. The following are examples of Family Preparedness Plans:
Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (4 languages): https://www.masslegalhelp.org/immigration/know-your-rights/planning-family-emergency
Immigrant Legal Resource Center
Boston Medical Center Family Preparedness Plan
Family Preparedness Plan Facilitator’s Guide (for providers helping families to complete the plan)
Email theborderishere@bmc.org for further information or training on implementing the Family Preparedness Plan at your institution.
Emergency Preparedness Plans
The Massachusetts Office of Refugees and Immigrants recommends a emergency preparedness plan for all with uncertain status. This maybe relevant in healthcare spaces and we should recommend that our patients:
Select a healthcare proxy
Sign a authorization for release of medical information to allow us to communicate with their immigration attorney for purposes of their case
Consider a family preparedness plan
Other elements not related directly to health may include: giving a trusted adult power of attorney; keeping all important documents in place known to a trusted adult; ensuring other household members have access to important account passwords for utilities, etc; memorizing one’s A-number, attorney’s phone number and phone numbers of a few loved ones in case they are detained.
For more information:
Massachusetts Guide for Emergency Preparedness for people with Uncertain status (from Massachusetts Office of Refugees and Immigrants
USEFUL VIDEO: How to prepare for a possible ICE Arrest (VT Language Justice Project avail in 12 languages)
Asian American Resource Workshop: Family Preparedness and Safety Planning
