# Presentation: 787033

## Pandemic Preparedness: The Federal PerspectiveOffice of Safe and Drug-Free Schools National ConferenceAugust 4, 2007

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

## The 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 Stages

## Disseminating Information to the Public

- _[www.pandemicflu.gov](http://www.pandemicflu.gov/)_
- State Summits

## Collaborating 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 Resources

- Checklists
- State and Local Governments
- Schools-- Daycares, K-12, Higher Education
- Businesses
- Faith-Based Organizations
- Families and Individuals

## Funding 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 Guidance

- Community Mitigation Guidance
- Social distancing
- School closures
- Voluntary home quarantine
- Use of antiviral medication
- Specific guidance, such as mask use

- Available at: _[www.pandemicflu.gov](http://www.pandemicflu.gov/)_

## Providing Guidance: Pandemic Severity Index

## Preparing 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 Prepares

- “Pandemic Flu: A Guide for Educators” brochure
- _[www.ed.gov/emergencyplan/pandemic](http://www.ed.gov/emergencyplan/pandemic)_
- Focus group meetings

## 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](http://www.ed.gov/emergencyplan/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](http://www.publichealthlaw.net/)__) _
- Information on school closures and continuity of instruction (forthcoming)

## Recognizing Local Planning Efforts

- _[www.ed.gov/emergencyplan/pandemic](http://www.ed.gov/emergencyplan/pandemic)_
- Local Plans:
- Seattle/King County
- Orange County, CA
- Contra Costa, CA

## Creating and Refining Tools

- Pandemic Influenza:Tabletop Exercise (Pilot, August 4, 2007)
- _[http://ercm.ed.gov](http://ercm.ed.gov/)__ _

## Thank You!

- Dana Carr
- Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools
- _[dana.carr@ed.gov](mailto:dana.carr@ed.gov)_
- 202-260-0823