Hillsborough County Public Schools Curriculum and Instruction
Action Item

DATE: Tuesday, February 27, 2007
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Approve Submission of Renewal Sub-Grant Application to Florida Division of Emergency Management, and if Approved, Accept Funds for the 2007/2008 Department of Homeland Security Community Emergency Response Team Program, Estimated $20,000 (Career and Technical Education)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Florida Department of Emergency Management, Department of Homeland Security Grant Application will provide funding to continue the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program in Health Science and Public Service Education courses. All-hazard preparedness training will be a component for students in Grades 11 and 12 enrolled in Health Science, First Responder, and Criminal Justice courses at up to 16 high schools. Recruitment of JROTC students will also be initiated. Funds will be utilized for training supplies including first aid and emergency kits. The fiscal period on the sub-grant is July 1, 2007, through June 30, 2008.

CERT Training is designed to prepare individuals to help themselves and to help family and neighbors in the event of a catastrophic disaster. In catastrophic emergency situations, emergency services personnel may not be able to help everyone immediately. Trained students and teachers will be better prepared to provide assistance.

The 2005/2006 CERT grant, $18,000, has accomplished the following deliverables to date: 53 Brandon High School, 38 Hillsborough High School, and 7 Brandon Evening Adult students have successfully completed the CERT training. Nine district teachers were trained as CERT trainers. Instructor and student participant manuals were developed and CERT kits were purchased to support training and emergency preparedness at Brandon and Hillsborough High Schools as recommended by Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. In the event of an emergency within the district, the trained students and teachers are able to assist the District Response Team. The 2006/2006 CERT grant, $15,348, is currently being administered to Brandon High School Health Science students and Chamberlain High School JROTC students.

ANNUAL DISTRICT GOAL(S) AND CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S)

All District Goals and Critical Success Factors

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: Yes)

If approved, sub-grant funds of $20,000 will be included in the divisional special revenue/federal programs budget. Administrative costs are included in the grant budget.

EVALUATION

The 2006/2007 grant period will end September 30, 2007, with a detailed evaluation of the program to be completed by December 12, 2007. If awarded, the 2007/2008 grant evaluation will be completed by December 1, 2008.

SUBMITTED BY: Arlen Black, Supervisor, Career and Technical Education 
Cosette Whitmore, Ph.D., Supervisor, Health Science and Public Service Education

Pamela Campbell-Peralta
General Director, Career and Technical Education
(813) 231-1860
Michael A. Grego, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction
(813) 272-4221
1.01b
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20070227_233 * Section E Item# 1.01b