To help your school in disaster planning or finding assistance in the event of a disaster, here are some valuable resources and tips.
Supporting Community Members During and After a Disaster
- National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement: For help determining what psychological supports your community may need, call 1-877-536-2722 or email [email protected]
- Psychological First Aid for Students and Teachers (The National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement)
Resources for Talking to Students About Disasters
- Talking to Children About Tragedies (American Academy of Pediatrics)
- Explaining the News to Our Kids (Common Sense Media)
- Helping Children Cope with Frightening News (Child Mind Institute)
Wildfire-Specific Information
- Safety Guidelines: After a Wildfire (CDC)
- Get Smart about Wildfire Smoke - Guidelines for Schools (California Department of Education)
- FAQs related to emergency response (California Department of Education)—includes simple steps to take before reopening school
- Wildfires and Indoor Air Quality in Schools and Commercial Buildings (EPA)
- Worker Protection from Wildfire Smoke (State of California, Department of Industrial Relations)
- Protecting Children from Wildfire Smoke and Ash (EPA)
- What Can I Do During a Wildfire Smoke Event to Reduce My Family's Exposure to Smoke Indoors? (EPA)
Insurance Claims
- Six Steps for Making an Insurance Claim (University of Florida’s Disaster Preparation and Recovery site)
- What You Need to Know About Insurance Claims (Joffe Emergency Services)
Disaster Recovery Funding
- U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loans: Nonprofits such as independent schools located in a declared disaster area may be eligible to receive a low-interest loan for physical damage (to property, equipment, etc.) or economic injury (inability to meet financial obligations and operating expenses). There may be eligibility limitations regarding economic injury loans for applicants who are “principally engaged in teaching, instructing, counseling, or indoctrinating religion or religious beliefs, whether in a religious or secular setting.”
- FEMA Public Assistance Program: Nonprofits such as independent schools in areas covered by a presidential disaster declaration may be eligible for grants to cover debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the repair/replacement/restoration of facilities and equipment such as buildings, housing, classrooms, buses, office equipment, furnishings, etc. Initial requests for public assistance must be made within 30 days of the disaster declaration. If a facility is used primarily for religious purposes or instruction, it may not be eligible for assistance. An FAQ document about educational facilities can be found here.
- Disaster Recovery Unit: The U.S. Department of Education also provides a Disaster Recovery Unit to assist schools in federally declared disaster zones.
- Project SERV: Project SERV (School Emergency Response to Violence) is a U.S. Department of Education program that provides grants to help schools respond and re-establish safe learning environments after a natural or man-made disaster. The state (or territory) is generally the recipient of the grant and private school teachers and students are entitled to receive an equitable share of funds.
- Displaced Students: Independent schools may find they are able to reopen before other schools in the affected area and receive inquiries from students seeking to attend the school on an emergency basis. During past disasters, Congress has provided relief for families including tuition assistance for students who moved to private schools.
Disaster Planning and Mitigation Resources
- Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS): Independent schools looking for assistance in preparing for and mitigating the damage from emergencies as far ranging as school violence, natural disasters, disease outbreaks, fire, and accidents will find resources at the REMS website. Such resources include guidance on developing an emergency operations plan, information on psychological first aid for schools, and technical assistance, including toolkits and training opportunities.
- Mental Health: Mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts often surface in the months after a disaster. Additional mental health resources for school communities responding to trauma can be found through the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, Mental Health First Aid USA, National Center for Safe and Supporting Learning Environments, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (including a disaster distress helpline).