The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Supportive Schools administers the REMS TA Center to serve two critical functions aimed at helping education agencies, with their community partners, manage safety, security, and emergency preparedness programs. We build the preparedness capacity (including prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery efforts) of schools, school districts, institutions of higher education (IHEs), and their community partners at the local, state, and Federal levels. We also serve as the primary source of information dissemination for schools, school districts, and IHEs for emergencies via the REMS TA Center Website.

We invite you to join us in this national campaign that promotes cybersecurity and brings awareness to being safe and secure online. The 2020 theme is “Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart.” Engage in weekly themes and promote the hashtag #BeCyberSmart to showcase your involvement.

Schools, institutions of higher education, and community partners are encouraged to participate in the Great ShakeOut earthquake drills to practice “Drop, Cover and Hold On” and prepare the whole community for earthquakes. International ShakeOut Day is on October 15, but you are invited to host your #ShakeOut drill on another date. Find ways that your education agency can engage before, during, and after the ShakeOut on the REMS TA Center Website.

Read the latest edition of News & Updates from the REMS TA Center. Features include preparing for the reopening of K-12 schools and institutions of higher education, the new U.S. Department of Justice report on ten essential actions to improve school safety, integrating personal protective equipment in the school and campus settings, upcoming trainings, archived Webinars and Web Chats, and top @remstacenter tweets for the quarter.

Watch presentations from experts in the field of school safety at any time. Recent topics include opioids, drug-related emergencies, and substance abuse prevention; ensuring continuity of feeding and food distribution during the COVID-19 pandemic, with guest presenters from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and state education agencies; and providing supports for students and families experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic, with guest presenters from the National Center for Homeless Education.

With fall comes wildfires, hurricanes, floods, winds, and winter precipitation. Schools can plan for these natural hazards using publications and other free products on our Natural Hazards Resources page.