In the Event of an Emergency: Are You Ready for a Disaster in Your District?

Video 20081016122947.wmv http://nfsmi-web01.nfsmi.olemiss.edu/ResourceOverview.aspx?ID=61

Are You Ready for a Disaster in Your District? Do you have an Emergency Plan? How will you handle Free & Reduced Applications? How do you process Homeless Students? How will you handle USDA Commodities? Do you have a List of Resources?

Make a Disaster Preparedness Plan Plan to Have a Disaster Make a Disaster Preparedness Plan Have a Disaster Menu planned. Include employee contact numbers/calling tree. Include vendor contact numbers. Include resources for equipment repair or additional needed equipment. Include local health department contact numbers. Include software provider contact information (POS/F&R Processing)

Free & Reduced Meal Program HOW DO WE IDENTIFY WHO QUALIFIES FOR FREE MEALS?

USDA Meal Program Current free and reduced students will still qualify for meals. Children in households’ receiving D-SNAP (Disaster-Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits are eligible for free meals regardless of income. Eligibility for free meals will continue for the rest of the school year under NSLP and SBP or for a full year through CACFP or SFSP. Categorical Eligibility based on zip code.

Homeless Students Households must complete the McKinney Vento paperwork to be considered homeless. Displaced by a disaster doesn’t mean the student is homeless. Also, some who are still in their homes, but have service interruption are considered homeless. Children can only be identified as homeless by a school or homeless official. If identified as homeless children are also eligible for free meals regardless of income.

FOOD RESOURCES

Utilize your local vendors Utilize other school districts Utilize USDA Commodity sources

USDA Commodity Foods USDA Foods from any USDA domestic nutrition assistance programs may be used in Presidentially declared disasters/emergencies, and in situations of distress. FNS will do its best to make timely replacements to prevent disruption in ongoing service to the programs from which USDA Foods are taken. It should be remembered that, while replacement is guaranteed in a Presidentially declared disaster or emergency, replacement is not guaranteed in situations of distress.

Partnerships Department of Public Health Local city governments State/Federal governments CDE Office of School Nutrition Food Banks USDA NFSMI Software Providers

What Did We Learn? What do we do for restrooms? What do we do for hand washing? Have good inventory information from your schools. Utilize as much of the perishable food as possible or donate to Red Cross or shelters If involved with Red Cross have a NS employee work in the kitchen with that program

What Did We Learn? Have a source for extra water. You will spend a lot of time communicating. Plan to unitize meals for affected sites. Disasters are emotional. Takes time to heal. Reach out to others during the disaster. Your expressions of concern make a difference. Take care of yourself and your team.

Questions?