K-12 Schools Emergency Preparedness Center

Through the Byrne Congressionally Mandated Awards program, the Office of Justice Programs helps communities improve the capacity of local justice systems and supports training and technical assistance programs and other efforts that strategically target local needs. This program is authorized to organizations identified in the Conference Report to accompany the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010.

The K-12 School Emergency Preparedness Technical Assistance Center at the University of West Georgia will support school districts in developing comprehensive plans reflective of the all-hazards approach, improving existing plans and facilitating emergency management partnerships, and designing plans for continuity of instruction in the event of prolonged school closure. Curricula/technical assistance materials will be developed and emergency practice exercises will be conducted for school personnel as a pilot for a national center. Plans for alternative locations and alternative delivery of instruction will be developed. Performance measures include number of training events and emergency practice exercises, percent of school personnel with increased knowledge in emergency management, percent increase in number of emergency management plans rated as accurate and inclusive of required components, percent increase in number of participants who collaborate in the development of emergency plans and develop Memoranda of Understanding, and percent increase in number of school systems with plans for alternatives in the location or delivery methods of instruction. The ultimate results of this project include the following: comprehensive emergency management plans; effective coordination of roles and responsibilities; effective emergency prevention, preparation, response, and recovery that includes care for students with special needs; and comprehensive plans for alternative locations or delivery of instruction. NCA/NCF