Emergency Response and Crisis Management Grant Program

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 94

May 30, 2003

INFORMATIONAL

TO:

Division Superintendents

FROM:

Jo Lynne DeMary

Superintendent of Public Instruction

SUBJECT:

Emergency Response and Crisis Management Grant Program

The U.S. Department of Educations Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools (OSDFS) recently announced the availability of $38 million in grant funding to help school districts improve and strengthen their emergency response and crisis management plans. These funds can be used to train school personnel, parents, and students in crisis response; coordinate with local emergency responders including fire fighters and police officers; purchase equipment; and coordinate with groups and organizations responsible for recovery issues, such as health and mental health agencies.

Approximately 150 grants of $100,000 to $500,000 will be awarded. The deadline for applications is June 30, 2003. The official grant notice was published in the Federal Register on May 16. It can be accessed at http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html.

In addition, the OSDFS has designed a 90-minute interactive technical assistance Web cast for grant applicants. The Web cast is scheduled for Wednesday, June 4, 2003, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

To obtain answers about the Web cast registration or other logistical details, send questions via e-mail to: emergency@esi-dc.com. To submit application-specific questions, send your questions via e-mail directly to the U.S. Department of Education at http://www.emergencyplan@ed.gov/. After the Web cast, all inquiries should be sent via e-mail to http://www.emergencyplan@ed.gov/.

The U.S. Department of Education also announced that a new guide, Practical Information on Crisis Planning: A Guide for Schools and Communities, is available to help schools plan for any emergency, including natural disasters, violent incidents and terrorist acts. The guide may be accessed at http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSDFS/emergencyplan.

JLD/ADC/saj