Dana Carr Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools U.S. Department of Education

Pandemic Preparedness: The Federal Perspective

Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools National Conference

August 4, 2007

Dana CarrOffice of Safe and Drug-Free Schools

U.S. Department of Education

The Federal Government PreparesThe Federal Government Prepares

November, 2005 National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza

May, 2006 Implementation Plan 300 Critical Actions Roles for Federal, state, local governments, businesses,

communities, families, and individuals As of June, 2007, nearly 90% of tasks to be completed within

one year are done

Federal Response StagesFederal Response Stages

Disseminating Information to the PublicDisseminating Information to the Public

www.pandemicflu.gov

State Summits

Collaborating Across the GovernmentCollaborating Across the Government

Department of Homeland Security charged with planning overall response

Department of Health and Human Services charged with health/medical sector response

Other Federal agencies, including Department of Education, collaborate on various other tasks in Implementation Plan

Cross-agency collaboration is critical

Creating ResourcesCreating Resources

Checklists State and Local

Governments Schools-- Daycares, K-12,

Higher Education Businesses Faith-Based Organizations Families and Individuals

Funding Preparedness EffortsFunding Preparedness Efforts

July, 2007: Almost $897 million provided to states, territories, and four metropolitan areas for public health emergencies

June, 2007: $430 million made available to strengthen hospital’s and health care facilities’ ability to respond to bioterror attacks, infectious diseases, and other mass casualty events

Since 2002: HHS has provided more than $7 billion for public health preparedness-related programs

Providing GuidanceProviding Guidance

Community Mitigation Guidance Social distancing School closures Voluntary home quarantine Use of antiviral medication

Specific guidance, such as mask useAvailable at:

www.pandemicflu.gov

Providing Guidance: Pandemic Severity Index

Providing Guidance: Pandemic Severity Index

Preparing the Federal WorkforcePreparing the Federal Workforce

Office of Personnel Management Human Capital Management

Policy • Hiring Flexibilities• Leave and Alternative

Workplace Flexibilities• Guidance for Managers if

Employee Comes to Work Sick

Training & “Town Hall” Meetings

All Departments Continuity of Operations

Planning Business Continuity Plans

Department of Education PreparesDepartment of Education Prepares

“Pandemic Flu: A Guide for Educators” brochure

www.ed.gov/emergencyplan/pandemic

Focus group meetings

Helping Schools Prepare for a Pandemic

Basic Minimum Components for Pandemic Plan

Helping Schools Prepare for a Pandemic

Basic Minimum Components for Pandemic Plan Communications plan

identifies audiences, focuses on clear, accurate, consistent and timely information

Plan for continuity of learning and instruction

Identify stakeholders and partners within local public health departments and other key stakeholders

Review and refine policies and authorities

Initiate or expand prevention and education efforts

Create and implement surveillance system

Develop an Incident Command System

Consider other issues specific to your school environment

For more information, please see www.ed.gov/emergencyplan/pandemic

Helping Schools Prepare for a Pandemic

Helping Schools Prepare for a Pandemic

U. S. Department of Education Policy Guidance (forthcoming): Includes guidance on

requirements, waivers, higher education, and special education

Center for Law and the Public’s Health study on closure authorities (www.publichealthlaw.net)

Information on school closures and continuity of instruction (forthcoming)

Recognizing Local Planning EffortsRecognizing Local Planning Efforts

www.ed.gov/emergencyplan/pandemic Local Plans:

Seattle/King County Orange County, CA Contra Costa, CA

Creating and Refining ToolsCreating and Refining Tools

Pandemic Influenza:Tabletop Exercise (Pilot, August 4, 2007)

http://ercm.ed.gov

Thank You!Thank You!

Dana CarrOffice of Safe and Drug-Free Schools

dana.carr@ed.gov202-260-0823