The U.S. Department of Education has awarded $24 million in grants to 92 school districts in 34 states to help the schools enhance their readiness and emergency-management plans.
The Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools discretionary grant program provides funds for school districts to strengthen their emergency-management plans. For a school district to qualify for a grant, its improved plan must address all four phases of emergency management: prevention-mitigation; preparedness; response; and recovery.
As part of their plans, districts must do the following: coordinate with officials in law enforcement, local government, public safety, public health and mental health; train school officials in emergency management; and provide a method for communicating emergency and reunification procedures to parents and guardians. Measures also should support the implementation of the National Incident Management System, which works to prevent the outbreak of infectious disease, and should take into consideration districts' special-needs populations.
Districts also can use funds to coordinate with local emergency responders, including fire, police, and health and public health agencies, conduct drills and exercises, buy emergency supplies and equipment, and train staff and students on emergency-response procedures.
A complete list of the 92 grant awards is available on the Department of Education’s Web site.
