2007 Balderson Leadership Project The Governor’s Commission on Healthy and Prepared Schools Dr. Bob Hull, Commission Chair Presenter Jerry Tenbrink, Terri Ploger-McCool & Bob Hull Capstone Members

Capstone Project Formation (History) - Individuals from education, public health and homeland security initially met to discuss role of nurses and schools in bio-terrorism Small group continued to meet to discuss the need to increase preparedness of schools for a multitude of emergency events Lack of funding stymied further pursuit of promising school crisis preparedness strategies that had been identified during discussions

Capstone Project Formation Three individuals from this group representing Education, Public Health and Homeland Security continued to meet As a result, these 3 (Jerry Tenbrink, Terri Ploger McCool and Bob Hull) were invited to join KPHLI Pushed the envelope in that disciplines outside of public health were invited to attend the KPHLI for the first time

Capstone Project Formation This group designed their capstone project to be a leadership summit that would further explore identified promising topics on school preparedness This project received a small grant from Kansas Health Foundation to underwrite the leadership summit

Leadership Summit Purpose of the Summit was to: “Define challenges associated with protecting students and staff in educational settings in the event of a threat to their health and safety, and to explore strategies and resources for strengthening Kansas schools crisis preparedness”. 30 Leaders from a variety of backgrounds and organizations attended the Summit Leadership Summit was held in Topeka on July 11, 2006

Leadership Summit Recommendations Submit a proposal to Governor Sebelius for the creation of a gubernatorial interagency commission to provide leadership for school preparedness planning and response Leadership Summit recommends giving the highest priority for strategies to implement crisis plans, training and crisis resources in school districts

Events of the School Year Colorado school shooting Wisconsin school shooting Pennsylvania school shooting White House Conference Alabama Tornado

Governor’s Executive Order “There is growing awareness of the need determining how effective schools are in providing a healthy and prepared school environment”... “our society and parents expect their children to be provided a healthy & safe environment where school officials are prepared... (for) crisis events”.

Governor’s Commission Problem Statement Kansas’ schools have a duty of care to provide a safe, healthy and prepared learning environment...In today’s society there are increasing (issues) that have the potential to disrupt... and threaten. Kansas schools are not uniformly prepared, resource equipped or trained to handle these threats... The work of this Commission is to... better prepare schools in fulfilling their mission.

What would it take for all schools to? 1. Have a comprehensive all hazards crisis plan? 2. Have a designated local school person trained to coordinate the crisis plan? 3. Have a school district crisis team 4. Have adequate school nurse services? 5. Have adequate SRO/security services? 6. Fully integrate CM plans with local community?

Commission’s Recommendation Establish of a state school preparedness center that would: 1. assess threats to schools 2. establish preparedness standards and regulations 3. provide training 4. facilitate needed equipment, supplies & personnel 5. integrate school crisis plans into local communities 6. coordinate response to school crisis events 7. receive and disseminate information This collaborative interagency office will be supported by legislative enactment and consistent funding sources.

Additional Happenings Governor’s Proclamation – declaring September 28, 2007 as Kansas School Preparedness Day Final Report submitted to Governor at the end of October 2007

Acknowledgments KPHLI Capstone Project partners (Jerry Tenbrink and Terri Ploger-McCool) Capstone Mentor – Ms. Shirley Orr Members and Staff of the Governor’s Commission on Healthy and Prepared Schools Olathe District Schools & Olathe Fire Department Kansas Public Health Foundation

Contact Information Dr. Bob Hull Commission Chair Chief of Training & Safety OFD Emergency Management Consultant – OSD #