WCSD gets grant for emergency plans

Webster County School District will receive $100,000 in funding under the U.S. Department of Education's Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools program, Congressman Travis Childers and the USDE announced last week.

The discretionary grant program serves to strengthen and improve emergency response and crisis management plans for local educational agencies.

The grant is for the period from Aug. 1 through Jan. 30, 2011, and additional funding is anticipated over a total period of two years.

"These funds represent a significant investment in the safety of North Mississippi students and faculty," said Childers, D-Booneville. "Providing schools with the resources and training they need to successfully manage and prepare for emergency situations will help protect all residents in Webster County."

Under the REMS program, local educational agencies (LEAs) receive funds to improve and strengthen their emergency management plans. This program will enable school districts to develop improved plans that address all four phases of emergency management: Prevention-Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery.

"The safety of kids is our number one priority," U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said. "In order for children to learn, they have to feel safe. It's our responsibility to help schools create safe learning environments for students. These grants will support that effort."

In reviewing and improving their plans, districts must comply with these requirements:

¥ Work with community partners including local law enforcement, public safety or emergency management, public health and mental health agencies, and local government,

¥ Plans must include training for school staff, a plan to sustain local partnerships after the period of federal assistance, a plan for communicating emergency management policies and reunification procedures to parents and guardians, and a written plan for improving LEA capacity to sustain the emergency management process through ongoing training and continual review of policies and procedures.

¥ LEAs must agree to support the implementation of the National Incident Management System and commit to developing plans that take into consideration special needs populations within the LEA,

¥ LEAs must agree to develop a written food defense plan and an infectious disease plan designed to prepare the LEA for possible infectious disease outbreak.

Typical activities included in grantee programs include reviewing and revising existing emergency management plans, conducting vulnerability assessments of schools and other district facilities, providing training, organizing tabletop exercises, procuring emergency supplies and engaging in crisis simulation drills.

The grants are housed within the Department's Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, which supports efforts to create safe schools, respond to crises, prevent drug and alcohol abuse, ensure the health and well being of students, and teach students good citizenship and character. The office also coordinates the department's efforts in these areas with other federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.