During the 2018
American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition (AAP NCE), held in Orlando, Florida, the International Children's Advisory Network (iCAN Research) was asked to participate in a national AAP leadership meeting to discuss the psycho-social needs of children facing disasters and active shooters. Several youth members from KIDS Florida, led by Meagan Schneider were able to speak on a personal level of what many of the kids believed would be helpful in training, preparedness and recovery during adverse situations. The group discussion continued with additional ideas in which iCAN youth members felt would be beneficial to kids. 17 year-old Chaz Thompson brought forth an idea to use e-technology to lead young people through a webinar for preparedness, so that kids were not overly traumatized by running drills. Another iCAN youth, Sam Schneider felt that practice did help but that it was better served when given in appropriately aged curriculum. As Sam explained, "Not all kindergarteners should be prepared like 12th graders because it may be too scary." The meeting concluded with excitement for potential to further include the young person's voice and to create a strategy that made sense for all children. Stay tuned for more to come on this very important initiative.