The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools has released the FY 2010 REMS grant application.

Dear NASSLEO Members,

The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools has recently released the FY 2010 Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) grant application. The REMS program provides funds to local educational agencies (LEAs) to establish an emergency management process that focuses on reviewing and strengthening emergency management plans, within the framework of the four phases of emergency management (Prevention-Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery). The program also provides resources to LEAs to provide training for staff on emergency management procedures and requires that LEAs develop comprehensive all-hazards emergency management plans in collaboration with community partners including local law enforcement; public safety, public health, and mental health agencies; and local government. Funds may also be used, to a limited extent, to purchase needed emergency supplies and equipment.

The REMS grant is a competitive grant program. As school safety and law enforcement officers, you can assist your district in applying for this grant by alerting them to this resource and sharing your expertise with them in developing the grant application. The REMS grant application package may be accessed at this website. The application submission deadline is February 26, 2010. Funds may be requested for up to 24 months. The estimated average size of the awards are as follows: $150,000 for a small-size LEA (1-20 education facilities), $300,000 for a medium-size LEA (21-75 education facilities), and $600,000 for a large-size LEA (76 or more education facilities).

For additional information, please contact the REMS Competition Manager, Sara Strizzi via email at sara.strizzi@ed.gov or via telephone at (303) 346-0924.