Emergency Management Planning for Schools

Information for Schools about the coronavirus (COVID-19)

Laws and Regulations

• An Act Requiring Automated External Defibrillators in Schools, Chapter 443 of the Acts of 2016 (approved January 13, 2017).
  • Related Department Guidance
• An Act Relative to the Reduction of Gun Violence, Bill H. 4376, Section 7 (approved July 30, 2014).
• An Act Relative to Medical Emergency Response Plans for Schools, Chapter 77 of the Acts of 2012 (approved April 18, 2012)
• Multi-Hazard Evacuation Plans for Schools, Section 363 of Chapter 159 of the Acts of 2000

Also see DESE's Bullying Prevention and Intervention and Medical and Behavioral Health Emergency Response Plan web pages for additional information on school safety laws and regulations.

Additional Information and Resources

• Evidence Based Programs, Curricula and Practices
• Information for Families
• School Resource Officer MOU Information
• Resources
  • By Topic
  • From State Agencies
  • At the National Level
• View all

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Information for Families

COVID-19 Resources

• COVID-19 Information for Families-Healthy Children.Org, American Academy of Pediatrics
• Helping Children Cope with Emergencies, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Supporting Our Kids Through the COVID-19 Crisis, Child Mind Institute Tips for Nurturing and Protecting Children at Home

Emergency planning starts at home. Here are some resources to help engage children in family emergency planning efforts:

• Be a Hero Games for Kids, FEMA's Ready.Gov
• Family Emergency Plan, FEMA's Ready.Gov
• Ready Wrigley Activity Books for Children, CDC's Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response

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For more information or assistance, please contact:

Anne Gilligan
Safe and Healthy Schools
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
(781) 338-6309

or contact Anne or others through the Office of Student and Family Support via
(781) 338-3010 or achievement@doe.mass.edu

Last Updated: November 14, 2023