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Resources » Family and Community Resources

Family and Community Resources

Apply for Disaster Relief

Wildfire survivors have more time to apply for disaster relief, including cash aid, housing and home repairs, and worker benefits. Applications for FEMA disaster assistance and California disaster unemployment insurance have been extended to March 31, 2025.

Please visit lafla.org/fires for more resources, guides to applying for assistance, and upcoming legal clinics and workshops.

Family and Community Resources

Family and Community Recovery Guide

Family and Community Recovery Guide is designed to provide valuable information and resources during natural disasters.
The Los Angeles Unified Resources Flyer can be downloaded here.

School Resources English     School Resources Spanish

Family Hotline

For more information and updates, you may call the Family Hotline at (213) 443-1300 between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Childcare

LAUSD Early Education Centers
Open to children ages 2-5, enroll in any of our 87 Early Education Education Centers located throughout Los Angeles. Find out more by visiting https://www.lausd.org/eced
 
YMCA
Your local YMCA is opening its doors for children of essential workers and children of families who were displaced, evacuated or lost property.  This child care program is designed to support children of essential workers and children of families who were displaced, evacuated or lost property, who cannot attend school because their school has closed for the day.  
For a list of our 28 Y centers, please visit www.ymcala.org/locations
Please note that our beloved Palisades-Malibu YMCA center was completely destroyed by the fire and is no longer operating a physical location.  Our Santa Anita (Monrovia), Hollywood, Pasadena-Sierra Madre YMCA centers are currently closed due to close proximity to the fires and power outages.
 
Boys and Girls Club of Metro Los Angeles
The Boys & Girls Club is opening their doors to ALL youth ages 6 - 18. Registration fees have been waived during this time so that all kids in need have a safe place to go. Click here to see the participating locations. 

Food Resources

LA Regional Food Bank
Visit the LA Regional Food Bank to find locations offering free groceries and meals for those affected by wildfires or other emergencies.

CalFresh Disaster Assistance
Disaster CalFresh provides food assistance to individuals and families impacted by natural disasters. Learn about eligibility and locations to apply here: Disaster CalFresh Information.

Virtual Academy Schools

LAUSD Virtual Academies offer students in grades TK-12 a flexible online learning experience tailored to individual needs. Visit https://www.lausd.org/virtualacademy for more information on how to enroll.

Mental Health and Wellness Resources

Los Angeles Unified prioritizes the mental health and well-being of students, families, and employees, providing critical support during challenging times.
      • Psychological First Aid (PFA): An evidence-based approach to help children, teens, adults, and families cope in the immediate aftermath of a disaster.
      • The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN): Offers resources on helping children manage the emotional impact of wildfires.
      • Student and Family Wellness Resource Line
          • Phone: (213) 241-3840
          • Hours: Monday–Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
      • Services: Mental health support for students and families access: Tele-mental health services here
      • Employee Assistance Service for Education (EASE)
      • 24/7 Support Line: 800-882-1341
      • Services: Support for LAUSD employees' mental health and well-being
      • Additional Resources:
          • National Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990

Student Support and Attendance Services

Los Angeles Unified provides resources and support to ensure that students and families can continue their education and access essential services during times of need.
  • Enrollment Guide for Displaced Families can be downloaded here
  • Homeless Education Office: Families who have lost their residence can connect with their designated school site homeless liaison or contact the Homeless Education Office directly at 213-202-7581 for assistance.
  • Youth and Family Support: Youth (ages 18-24) and families with children under age 18 experiencing homelessness can access additional support through the Youth or Family Coordinated Entry System (CES). Contact the closest CES site for services available across LA County.

Transportation Support for Students

Reliable transportation options are provided to ensure access to schools and resources during emergencies.
  • Metro GoPass: LAUSD students can access free transportation via the Metro GoPass Program.
  • Metro Alerts: For the latest Metro alerts on rail and bus line closures, visit Metro Alerts.
  • Big Blue Bus: Free rides to Westwood evacuation center, click here for more details. 

Housing Assistance

Resources are available to help families affected by wildfires secure temporary housing during emergencies.Airbnb.org Free Housing for Wildfire Victims Airbnb.org, in partnership with local nonprofit 211 LA, offers free temporary housing to Los Angeles County residents displaced by wildfires.
  • Targeted Areas: Altadena, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Sylmar
  • Details: Stays are funded by Airbnb.org and generous hosts offering homes for free or at a discount.
  • How to Access: Contact 211 LA directly to request housing.
    This program is part of Airbnb.org's disaster response efforts, which have supported hurricane, flood, and earthquake survivors worldwide.

Accommodations and Special Needs Services for Families

Regional centers in California are non-profit organizations that provide services for people with developmental disabilities. They are part of a statewide network that contracts with the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS). Family Resource Centers (FRC) actively work in partnership with local regional centers and education agencies and help many parents, families, and children get information about early intervention services and how to navigate the Early Start system. California’s FRC are staffed by parents who have children with special needs and provide information and parent-to-parent support. More information is available here.
 
California Children's Services (CCS) Program in Los Angeles County
 
The CCS program provides diagnostic and treatment services, medical case management, and physical and occupational therapy services to children under age 21 with CCS-eligible medical conditions. Examples of CCS-eligible conditions include chronic medical conditions such as cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, cerebral palsy, heart disease, cancer, traumatic injuries, and infectious diseases producing major sequelae. Learn more here.

Wheelchairs and Other Physical Therapy Access Equipment

Contact Candace Bramley, Senior School Therapist, at [email protected] or 310-354-3566 for more information.
 
Preschool Resources
The Trauma Resource Guide from the Child Mind Institute is available in 15 languages and provides support for all types of trauma. Access it here.
 
Disability & Disaster HotlineCall/Text: +1 (800) 626-4959 or email [email protected] for assistance with disaster-related needs for people with disabilities.
 
Older Adults and Nursing Home AssistanceThe California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR) provides resources for elderly family members needing nursing home access during emergencies. Learn more here.

Articles for Parents to Read

 
The following articles are available through the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health and offer families information about supporting children in the wake of natural disasters:

Health & Medical Care

Prescription Drugs & Medical Supplies

 

  • Find open pharmacies at healthcareready.org/rxopen.
  • Medi-Cal members may get a 72-hour refill for prescription drugs when a Federal emergency is declared and can get a 100-day supply of most prescription drugs before disasters.
  • Medicare Part D Plans must lift some limits for prescription drug benefits and allow out-of-network access when drugs are unavailable from network pharmacies.
  • Uninsured survivors can get prescription drugs and supplies via the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program. To find pharmacies in this program, call (855) 793-7470.
 

Disaster-Related Mental Health Resources

 

If you or your loved ones are experiencing mental health distress related to the wildfires, call the LA County Department of Mental Health’s 24/7 help line at 1-800-854-7771. For more information, visit dmh.lacounty.gov.
Shower Access at Planet Fitness
 

Free access to showers for firefighters and displaced residents. A gym membership is not required. For locations and hours of operation, visit planetfitness.com/gyms.

General Support and Assistance Resources

Disaster CalFresh

Individuals and families who do not currently receive CalFresh and lived or worked in the areas affected by the January 2025 fires in Los Angeles County may be eligible for Disaster CalFresh one-time assistance if they suffered a loss. Read the attached flyer to learn about the timeline to apply and to access a phone number where you can get assistance. The information is available in multiple languages by visiting: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/calfresh/disaster-calfresh. The application window is from February 10-19. 

American Red Cross The American Red Cross Los Angeles Region provides 24/7 support for individuals and families displaced by disasters, including wildfires, earthquakes, and home fires.

  • For Immediate Assistance: Call (800) 675-5799.
 
 
To locate shelters near you, text "SHELTER" and your zip code to 43362.
 
Business Assistance – Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC)
 
The LAEDC offers resources to support businesses impacted by natural disasters, including:
 
  • Wildfire Economic Recovery Resources (to be released): Business-interruption grants and assistance.
  • Business Assistance Team: Available now for immediate support.
  • Guide to Planning for Business Operations After Natural Disasters: Access here
 
Replacing Lost Documents
 
  • USA.gov: Steps to replace government-issued ID cards.
  • Red Cross Guide: "Picking Up the Pieces" offers disaster recovery tips. View the guide here.

Additional Resources

The Mutual Aid LA Network has created a list of information sites, housing, and animal shelters, which can be found here www.tiny.cc/malan-fire.
 
SAG-AFTRA has created a Wildlife Fire Emergency Resources guide, which can be found here.
 
Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County provide free, legal help for individuals and families harmed by natural disasters including fires, earthquakes and floods. Resources can be found here. 

City/County/State Resources: Emergency Services and Information

LOCAL ASSISTANCE & DISASTER RESOURCE CENTERS 
 
With support from FEMA and the state, the city and county are partnering to open local assistance & disaster resource centers, a one-stop shop where Angelenos can ask questions, obtain assistance, recovery services, and resources. Find more information here.
 
The Consumer Legal Services Coordinated Disaster Response comprised of the following nonprofit organizations (Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, OneJustice, National Housing Law Project, East LA Community Corporation, Public Counsel, Bet Tzedek, and HERA) are hosting a know your rights series of webinars on “Recovery After the Fires”.  These sessions provide information to help you navigate the recovery process, manage financial challenges, and make informed decisions during this critical time. Download flier here
 
Los Angeles County Office of Education Resources
 
  • Explore essential resources provided by the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) to support students, families, and educators during emergencies and critical situations. Visit LACOE's LA FIRES Resource Page for guidance, tools, and updates aimed at ensuring the safety, well-being, and continued learning of the Los Angeles education community.
Access to city and county services helps families navigate wildfires and related emergencies.
 

 
Wildfire Alerts and Tracking
 
  • LA County Alerts: Sign up for real-time emergency alerts at Alert LA County.
  • Fire Tracking Tools:
  • Protect Genasys: Evacuation orders and fire tracking.
  • CAL Fire Current Incidents: View here.
Watch Duty App: Provides real-time fire updates.
 
State Bar of California
 
The State Bar of California has curated resources which offer legal help following a disaster. The site includes pamphlets, guidance when a person is searching for an attorney, resolving problems, and helpful frequently asked questions. This resource is available by clicking here.

Shelters for Evacuees

  • Westwood Recreation Center: 1350 Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025 (Pets in crates welcome).
  • El Camino Real Charter High School: 5440 Valley Circle Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91367.
  • Richie Valens Recreation Center: 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd, Pacoima, CA 91331.
  • Northridge Recreation Center: 18300 Lemarsh St, Northridge, CA 91325.
  • Pierce College Equestrian Center: 6201 Winnetka Ave, Woodland Hills, CA 91367 (Large animals).
  • Hansen Dam Equestrian Center: 11127 Orcas Ave, Sylmar, CA 91342 (Large animals).
Note: Shelters are pet-friendly, with large animals directed to equestrian centers such as Hansen Dam and Pierce College.
 
For more evacuation shelters, visit LA County Emergency Shelters.
 
Assistance from Congressional RepresentativesNeed help navigating federal resources during an emergency?

Wildfire Preparedness and SafetyIf someone you know has received an evacuation order from an area with active wildfires, please encourage them to follow the evacuation order. To search for a specific address that might be impacted, visit protect.genasys.com. Evacuation shelters for residents and animals are available on https://lacounty.gov/emergency/.Being informed and prepared can save lives during a wildfire. Explore these resources for guidance:

Power Outages

Guidance is available to help families report and manage power outages effectively.
 
Report and Track Power Outages

Insurance & Disaster Resources

Do you need help after a disaster?

Navigating Fire Insurance Claims Webinar

Webinar Recording in English: Navigating Fire Insurance Claims Webinar - Presented by Greenspoon Marder in collaboration with LAUSD

Navegando los Reclamos de Seguro contra Incendios - Webinario Spanish Translation Audio File - Spanish- Navigating Fire Insurance Claims Webinar- Presented by Greenspoon Marder in Collaboration with LAUSD

The federal government is providing support to families impacted. DisasterAssistance.gov can help you apply for FEMA disaster assistance and guide you to other resources to help you recover. Visit https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or call 800-621-3362

Guidance is available for navigating insurance claims and securing tax relief after disasters.

Insurance & Property Tax Relief

  • California Department of Insurance: Assistance with wildfire-related insurance claims. Call 800-927-4357 or visit insurance.ca.gov.
 
LA County Assessor: Temporary property tax relief for damaged properties through the "Misfortune and Calamity" program. More information here.

Public Counsel: Public Counsel created this FAQ to provide answers to common questions about obtaining FEMA assistance after disasters, including the LA County 2025 fires. It covers the FEMA application process—including concerns about duplication of benefits from other funding sources—and additional sources of financial assistance. Click this link to access the information.

DISCLAIMER: Please be advised these options are provided for your information only. The Los Angeles Unified School District does not support or endorse any of the businesses. Some of the options may charge fees, require creating accounts, and/or have special health and safety requirements. You are encouraged to visit the business’s website to obtain details.

Parent Portal

The Parent Portal is your one-stop online tool for important information about your child. Using the Parent Portal, you access the instructional activities and resources for your child. Login or register today.

A personal identification number (PIN) is required to allow your child’s school to verify you are the actual parent or guardian and have rights to the student’s information. You will need to contact your child’s school to receive your PIN in order to complete your Parent Portal registration. If you have questions about the Parent Portal, please call the Family Hotline at (213) 443-1300 between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.