U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)The USDA is the Federal agency responsible for performing research, implementing programs and developing policy to support the nation’s agriculture programs. Their work involves use of our lands and protecting America’s food supply. The USDA offers specific programs to school districts and communities to promote a safe and healthy school environment for youth, including school lunch and breakfast programs, food safety programs and nutrition. The Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP), the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) as well the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) can be accessed through the department’s Home page.

• U.S. Department of Agriculture: http://www.usda.gov/
• Food Defense and Emergency Response
• Biosecurity Checklist for School Foodservice Programs
• Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion: http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/
• Food Safety and Inspection Service: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/
• National School Lunch Program: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Lunch/default.htm

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) enhances the physical and mental health of all citizens through research, program implementation, training, technical assistance and service delivery. HHS leads a variety of agencies and programs that address issues within the four phases of crisis planning and supports school and community safety programs: Emergency Readiness and Response, Mental Health in Schools, Violence Prevention, Substance Abuse and Healthy Youth.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): http://www.cdc.gov/
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA): http://www.fda.gov/
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): http://www.samhsa.gov/
• SAMHSA’s Disaster Technical Assistance Center (DTAC):
  http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/dtac/default.asp
• Office of the Surgeon General: http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
DHS organizes and unifies our nation’s security and emergency management efforts. DHS ’s mission is to “prevent and deter terrorist attacks and protect against and respond to threats and hazards to the nation.” DHS manages and coordinates the emergency management efforts of multiple Federal, State and local agencies through its directorates and agencies (e.g., Office for Domestic Preparedness, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, National Incident Management System (NIMS), The U.S. Secret Service, etc.). DHS offers resources for school communities at the Federal, State and local levels.

• Department of Homeland Security: www.dhs.gov
• State of Ohio Homeland Security Offices: http://homelandsecurity.ohio.gov/

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)Part of DHS, FEMA works to prepare the nation for all potential hazards and contributes to the Federal response and recovery efforts following emergencies. FEMA also leads essential mitigation activities and trainings, and manages national programs (e.g., Flood Insurance and the U.S. Fire Administration). In addition to Federal initiatives, FEMA has regional and State offices that work with State and local first responders in their emergency management activities. FEMA provides information, guidance and resources addressing the four phases, as well as incident specific issues related to emergency management.

•  FEMA: http://www.fema.gov

National Incident Management System (NIMS) Integration Center (NIC)The NIMS is directed by DHS and supported by FEMA. The NIMS provides rules, regulations and guidance that school districts can use to prepare for and respond to an emergency. The NIMS presents a unified system for managing crises and addressing the roles and responsibilities of all local, State and Federal emergency planners. The NIMS places an emphasis on mutual aid and inter-agency collaboration. The NIMS Integration Center (NIC) provides guidance, tools and resources for supporting the NIMS’ implementation efforts and keeping our schools safe.

• Emergency Management Institute:  http://www.training.fema.gov/EMIweb/

Ready CampaignIn February 2003, the Department of Homeland Security launched the Ready Campaign, and the Listo Campaign, an English and Spanish version of the national public service advertising campaign. Its purpose is to inform and empower citizens to prepare for and respond to terrorist attacks, disasters and other emergencies. The Ready Campaign offers community-based information, guides and strategies for staying safe and secure at home and in the community.

• Ready Campaign: http://www.Ready.gov

Ready KidsThe US Department of Homeland Security and The Advertising Council created Ready Kids as part of its national public service advertising campaign. The Ready Kids Web site is in a kid friendly format and offers users a variety of interactive choices: “Creating a kit,” “Making a Plan,” “Knowing the Facts,” “Graduating from the Courses,” and playing games and puzzles. Additionally, the site presents supporting materials to parents and teachers.

• Ready Kids: http://www.ready.gov/kids/home.html

U.S. Department of Justice
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) works to protect and defend the nation’s citizens through the provision of law enforcement, implementation of prevention programs and on-going public safety efforts through the just and impartial application of the law. DOJ manages numerous programs that continually develop resources and present effective practices supporting the needs of the school crisis management and security communities.

• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF): http://www.atf.gov/
• Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS): http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/
• National Institute of Justice (NIJ): http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/

The U.S. Department of Justice/National Institute of Justice’s (NIJ) School Safety Program works with other government agencies, oversees research and development projects, and offers technical assistance as part of an effort to provide School Resource Officers (SROs) and others in the field with tools to help them deal with criminal activity. NIJ also directly supports efforts to develop, test, and evaluate school safety technologies to ensure that they are safe, effective, appropriate, and affordable for schools.

• Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP): http://www.ojjdp.gov/
• Office for Victims of Crime (OVC): http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/

U.S. Department of Transportation
The Department of Transportation develops and coordinates policies that provide an efficient and economical national transportation system, with due regard for need, the environment, and the national defense. It is the primary agency in the federal government with the responsibility for shaping and administering policies and programs to protect and enhance the safety, adequacy, and efficiency of the transportation system and services.

• U.S. Department of Transportation: http://www.dot.gov
• DOT State & Regional Contacts: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/webstate.htm
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA): http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), one of the various agencies under the Department of Transportation has a school bus safety program that is committed to reducing school bus-related crashes, injuries, and fatalities through both behavioral programs and vehicle regulations. NHTSA works to educate school bus drivers, students, and other motorists about safe behavior that reduces the risk of being involved in a school bus-related crash.

• NHTSA:  http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/

Pandemic Flu.gov
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services manages a Web site focused on bringing up-to-date government pandemic information to individuals, families, schools, businesses and communities across the nation. The Web site presents a range of information from informational fact sheets, to global activities, to links for state and local planning efforts. Presented on the Web site is a School District (K-12) Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist.

• Pandemic Flu: http://www.pandemicflu.gov