Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar announced that Hidalgo Independent School District (Hidalgo ISD) has been awarded a $227,115 grant for its Readiness and Emergency Management Program. The grant, which comes from the Department of Education, will allow Hidalgo ISD to develop and improve plans that address all four phases of emergency management, including prevention-mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.

While reviewing and improving its emergency management plans, Hidalgo ISD will work collaboratively with community partners, including law enforcement, local government, public safety, public health, and mental health agencies.  The emergency management plans must include: 1) training for school staff and students 2) a method on how to best communicate emergency management policies and procedures to parents 3) a way to support the implementation of the National Incident Management System.

“As Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response, I understand how important it is for students to know how to react in emergency situations,” said Congressman Cuellar. “I congratulate Hidalgo ISD for making the safety of its students and staff a top priority.”

As part of the grant, Hidalgo ISD will also develop a written plan to prepare for a possible infectious disease outbreak.  The special-needs population will be taken into consideration as the plan is being developed.

Congressman Henry Cuellar is a member of the House Homeland Security, Small Business, and Agriculture Committees in the 110th Congress; accessibility to constituents, education, health care, economic development and national security are his priorities. Congressman Cuellar is also a Senior Whip.

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