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1 [1] (May 9, 2018)

handle is hein.crs/govzed0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Cogesoa Researc Seric 0 May 9, 2018 Department of Homeland Security Resources for School Security and Safety Introduction Congressional interest in K-12 public school security has increased following a number of recent school shootings. Even though public school security is primarily a state and local responsibility, several federal departments, agencies, and entities provide school security resources. These federal entities include the departments of Education, Justice, and Homeland Security. Specifically, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provides a number of resources to assist state and local governments in securing public schools. Following the Parkland, FL, shooting, DHS issued a press release that stated: In the wake of the recent attack in Parkland, Florida, the Department of Homeland Security is stepping up actions to better protect our nation's schools against gun violence, as well as other potential threats. DHS conducts training, exercises, and preparedness activities year-round to increase the security of schools across the country and the communities in which they are located. To coordinate DHS' public school security activities, the department established an Executive Steering Committee. The committee, according to the DHS press release, will drive DHS school security efforts. DHS provides assistance for school security in four broad categories: Education and Community Awareness; Capacity Building, Training, and Exercises; Preparedness Grants; and Early Warning and Reporting. This In Focus is intended to be an overview of DHS public school security resources. It should be noted that, in some instances, there is little publicly available information on some of these resources, programs, and activities. Education and Community Awareness DHS states that it engages school administrators, teachers, students, parents, and communities to raise awareness, communicate best practices, and promote what DHS describes as no-cost/low-cost security measures. These education and community awareness activities include: * Hometown Security Program: DHS develops partnerships, through outreach activities, between the private and public sectors in order to mitigate risks and enhance the security and resilience of public sites and events. DHS provides counsel and recommendations about protective measures that the private and public sector can implement to protect venues and such facilities as public schools. * Youth Preparedness Council: DHS, through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), created this council in 2012 to engage young leaders who are interested in supporting emergency preparedness in their communities and schools. The council provides an avenue to engage young people by taking into account their perspectives, feedback, and opinions. The members meet with FEMA staff throughout the school year to provide input on strategies, initiatives, and projects. Additionally, members attend FEMA's annual council summit in Washington, DC. * School Transportation Security Outreach: DHS provides guidelines and other materials to school districts and transportation providers on school bus security. One of the guidelines provided to school districts and transportation providers is the Employee Guide to School Bus Security issued by DHS's Transportation Security Administration. * DHS Protective Security Advisors: DHS's Office of Infrastructure Protection operates the Protective Security Advisor Program (PSA). PSAs are critical infrastructure and vulnerability subject matter experts who coordinate and facilitate local activities that advise state, local, and private sector officials. The PSA program's primary mission is to plan, coordinate, and conduct security risk assessments of nationally significant critical infrastructure. PSAs, however, also provide planning and outreach activities to communities and community services such as public schools. * Homeland Security Academic Advisory Council (HSAAC): DHS, in partnership with the Department of Education, is looking to expand the current council membership to include state and local public school administrators, private and parochial school leadership, and K-12 educational associations. The HSAAC provides advice and recommendations to the DHS Secretary and departmental senior leadership on matters related to homeland security and the academic community, including student and recent graduate recruitment; international students; academic research and faculty exchanges; campus resilience; homeland security academic programs; and cybersecurity. * Campus Resilience Program: The Campus Resilience Program is a DHS effort to engage institutions of higher education in developing and testing an emergency preparedness and resilience planning processes. DHS's Office of Academic Engagement manages this program and is meant to assist colleges and universities in https://crsreports.congress go

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