WASHINGTON - Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) announced today that the Genesee Intermediate School District (GISD) would receive a $487,962 grant for emergency response funding.  The U.S. Department of Education awarded the grant to GISD to help provide support to local education agencies to improve and strengthen emergency response and crisis management plans.

“This funding will help protect our children and teachers by developing and implementing a readiness program, which will ultimately help improve the safety and security of our local schools in times of crisis,” said Kildee.  “We must continue to take proactive measures to help protect our students and staff members through comprehensive emergency response plans developed in conjunction with local law enforcement and hospitals.”

The Emergency Repsonse and Crisis Management Program is authorized under the No Child Left Behind Act signed into law in 2001.  Under this program, financial support is provided to local education agencies to strengthen school emergency response and crisis management plans, including training school personnel and students in emergency response procedures.  This program will coordinate GISD’s emergency response plan with that of local law enforcement, public safety and public health agencies, as well as take into account the communication, transportation and medical needs of individuals with disabilities throughout the district.