Health officials are currently taking steps to prevent the introduction and spread of COVID-19 (“Coronavirus”) into communities across the United States. Schools can play an important role in this effort. Please see the information below for federal resources and guidance on maintaining operations during the COVID-19 pandemic and responding and recovering after the pandemic is over.
Prevent, Protect and Mitigate
Please see the following resources broken down by topic on how your school can protect students and staff and maintain operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Guidance
Return to School Roadmap
Department of Education, August 2021
Guidance
A Resource for Parents on Returning to In-Person Learning
Department of Education, August 2021
Guidance
How to Prioritize the Health and Safety of Students, School Personnel, and Families
Department of Education, August 2021
Webpage
StopRansomware.gov
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, July 2021
Guidance
Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in Kindergarten (K)-12 Schools
Department of Health and Human Services, July 2021
Guidance
Guidance
K-12 Schools and Child Care Programs
Department of Health and Human Services, June 2021
Webpage
Safer Schools and Campuses Best Practices Clearinghouse
Department of Education, May 2021
Guidance
ED COVID-19 Handbook Volume 2: Roadmap to Reopening Schools Safely and Meeting All Students' Needs
Department of Education, April 2021
Guidance
Coronavirus FAQ Answers from Across the U.S. Government: Parents and Children (Interagency)
Department of Health and Human Services, Federal Emergency Management Agency and The White House, June 2020
Guidance
Fact Sheet: Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 While Serving Migratory Children
Department of Education, May 2020
Guidance
Fact Sheet: Providing Services to English Learners During the COVID-19 Outbreak
Department of Education, May 2020
Guidance
Fact Sheet: Select Questions Related to Use of Department of Education Grant Funds During the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019
Department of Education, April 2020
Guidance
Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Schools While Serving Children with Disabilities
Department of Education, March 2020
Guidance
OCR Short Webinar on Online Education and Website Accessibility
Department of Education, March 2020
Guidance
Resources for Schools and Districts Responding to the COVID-19 Crisis
Department of Education, March 2020
Guidance
Be COVID Prepared Toolkit Plan
Department of Health and Human Services and Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2020
Guidance
Strategies to Support Remote Learning Along a Continuum of Internet Access
Department of Education, April 2019
Guidance
Fact Sheet
Protecting Sensitive and Personal Information from Ransomware-Caused Data Breaches
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, August 2021
Webpage
StopRansomware.gov
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, July 2021
Fact Sheet
Cyber Safety Series: Social Media - Tip Sheet
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, May 2021
Video
Cyber Safety Series: Social Media
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, May 2021
Guidance
Resilience Series Graphic Novel: Bug Bytes
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, April 2021
Fact Sheet
Cyber Safety Series: Ransomware - Tip Sheet
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, February 2021
Video
Cyber Safety Series: Ransomware
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, February 2021
Report
Cyber Actors Target K-12 Distance Learning Education to Cause Disruptions and Steal Data
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, December 2020
Guidance
Cyber Threats to K-12 Remote Learning Education
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, December 2020
Video
Cyber Safety Series: Online Gaming Safety
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, November 2020
Guidance
Cyber Safety Series: Making Strong Passwords – Tip Sheet
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, September 2020
Video
Cyber Safety Series: Making Strong Passwords
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, September 2020
Guidance
Ransomware Guide
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, September 2020
Guidance
Cyber Safety Series: Phishing
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, August 2020
Guidance
Cyber Safety Series: Video Call Safety
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, August 2020
Guidance
Online Resources to Prevent Child Exploitation
Department of Homeland Security, July 2020
Guidance
COVID-19 Disinformation Toolkit
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, June 2020
Guidance
CISA Insights: COVID-19 Disinformation Activity
Department of Homeland Security, May 2020
Guidance
CISA Cybersecurity Tip Sheet for Schools Using Video Conferencing
Department of Homeland Security, May 2020
Guidance
Cybersecurity Recommendations for K-12 Schools Using Videoconferencing Tools and Online Platforms
Department of Homeland Security, May 2020
Guidance
School Closings Due to COVID-19 Present Potential for Increased Risk of Child Exploitation
Department of Justice, March 2020
Guidance
CISA Insights: Risk Management for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Department of Homeland Security, March 2020
Guidance
Cyber Safety Series: Video Conference Safety and Phishing - Tip Sheet
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, 2020
Guidance
Coronavirus Rumor Control
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Guidance
National Cybersecurity Assessments and Technical Services
Department of Homeland Security
Fact Sheet
Ransomware Reference Materials for K-12
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Guidance
iGuardians™: Combating Child Predators
Department of Homeland Security
Guidance
Keeping Children Safe Online
Department of Justice
Guidance
Stop.Think.Connect Parent and Educator Resources
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Guidance
Ransomware Reference Materials for Students
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Guidance
Ransomware Reference Materials for Parents, Teachers, and School Administrators
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Guidance
Ransomware Reference Materials K-12 School and School District IT Staff
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Guidance
NTTAC Event: Supporting Students, Educators, and Parents as Schools Reopen
Department of Health and Human Services, May 2021
Guidance
Strengthening School Communities for a Safe, Supportive Return: Part 2
Department of Health and Human Services, May 2021
Guidance
Behavioral Health Impacts During & After COVID-19
Department of Health and Human Services, April 2021
Webpage
Back to School During COVID-19
Department of Health and Human Services, August 2021
Guidance
Return to School Roadmap
Department of Education, August 2021
Guidance
A Resource for Parents on Returning to In-Person Learning
Department of Education, August 2021
Guidance
How to Prioritize the Health and Safety of Students, School Personnel, and Families
Department of Education, August 2021
Guidance
Guidance
Mitigating the Threat of School Violence as the U.S. “Returns to Normal” from the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond
Department of Homeland Security, May 2021
Webpage
Safer Schools and Campuses Best Practices Clearinghouse
Department of Education, May 2021
Guidance
What School Nutrition Professionals and Volunteers at Schools Need to Know about COVID-19
Department of Health and Human Services, April 2021
Guidance
Responding to COVID-19 School Mental Health
Department of Health and Human Services, 2021
Guidance
COVID-19 Best Practice Information: Food Assistance Programs for Low-Income Households with School-Age Children
Department of Homeland Security, June 2020
Guidance
Keep Children Healthy During the COVID-19 Outbreak
Department of Health and Human Services, June 2020
Guidance
Talking with Children About Coronavirus Disease 2019
Department of Health and Human Services, May 2020
Guidance
Help Children Learn at Home
Department of Health and Human Services, May 2020
Guidance
Be COVID Prepared Toolkit Plan
Department of Health and Human Services and Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2020
Guidance
Improving Ventilation in Schools, Colleges, and Universities to Prevent COVID-19
Department of Education, August 2021
Guidance
Return to School Roadmap
Department of Education, August 2021
Guidance
What To Do If A Student Becomes Sick or Reports a New COVID-19 Diagnosis at School
Department of Health and Human Services, July 2021
Guidance
A Resource for Parents on Returning to In-Person Learning
Department of Education, August 2021
Guidance
How to Prioritize the Health and Safety of Students, School Personnel, and Families
Department of Education, August 2021
Guidance
Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in Kindergarten (K)-12 Schools
Department of Health and Human Services, July 2021
Guidance
Fact Sheet
New Guidance on Children Being Authorized to Receive the Pfizer Vaccine
Department of Health and Human Services, May 2021
Webpage
Safer Schools and Campuses Best Practices Clearinghouse
Department of Education, May 2021
Guidance
Operational Strategy for K-12 Schools through Phased Prevention
Department of Health and Human Services, May 2021
Guidance
Considerations for Case Investigation and Contact Tracing in K-12 Schools and Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs)
Department of Health and Human Services, April 2021
Guidance
ED COVID-19 Handbook Volume 2: Roadmap to Reopening Schools Safely and Meeting All Students' Needs
Department of Education, April 2021
Guidance
What School Nutrition Professionals and Volunteers at Schools Need to Know about COVID-19
Department of Health and Human Services, April 2021
Guidance
How Do I Set Up My Classroom? A Quick Guide for Teachers
Department of Health and Human Services, March 2021
Guidance
K-12 Schools COVID-19 Mitigation Toolkit
Department of Health and Human Services, March 2021
Guidance
Department of Education: Strategies for Safely Reopening Elementary and Secondary Schools
Department of Education, February 2021
Guidance
Information for School Nurses and Other Healthcare Personnel (HCP) Working in Schools and Child Care Settings
Department of Health and Human Services, February 2021
Guidance
Operational Considerations for Schools
Department of Health and Human Services, January 2021
Guidance
Strategies for Protecting K-12 School Staff from COVID-19
Department of Health and Human Services, October 2020
Guidance
Social Distancing
Department of Health and Human Services, July 2020
Guidance
Guidance for Administrators of US K-12 Schools
Department of Health and Human Services, April 2020
Guidance
Be COVID Prepared Toolkit Plan
Department of Health and Human Services and Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2020
Guidance
Be COVID Prepared Plan Template
Department of Health and Human Services and Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2020
Guidance
Return to School Roadmap
Department of Education, August 2021
Guidance
What To Do If A Student Becomes Sick or Reports a New COVID-19 Diagnosis at School
Department of Health and Human Services, July 2021
Guidance
A Resource for Parents on Returning to In-Person Learning
Department of Education, August 2021
Guidance
How to Prioritize the Health and Safety of Students, School Personnel, and Families
Department of Education, August 2021
Guidance
Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People
Department of Health and Human Services, July 2021
Guidance
Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in Kindergarten (K)-12 Schools
Department of Health and Human Services, July 2021
Guidance
Guidance
Cleaning and Disinfection for Community Facilities
Department of Health and Human Services, June 2021
Guidance
Operational Strategy for K-12 Schools through Phased Prevention
Department of Health and Human Services, May 2021
Guidance
What School Nutrition Professionals and Volunteers at Schools Need to Know about COVID-19
Department of Health and Human Services, April 2021
Guidance
Cleaning, Disinfection, and Hand Hygiene in Schools – a Toolkit for School Administrators
Department of Health and Human Services, April 2021
Guidance
Considerations for Wearing Cloth Face Coverings
Department of Health and Human Services, April 2021
Guidance
Considerations for Institutions of Higher Education
Department of Health and Human Services, April 2021
Guidance
K-12 Schools COVID-19 Mitigation Toolkit
Department of Health and Human Services, March 2021
Guidance
Department of Education: Strategies for Safely Reopening Elementary and Secondary Schools
Department of Education, February 2021
Guidance
Operational Considerations for Schools
Department of Health and Human Services, January 2021
Guidance
Strategies for Protecting K-12 School Staff from COVID-19
Department of Health and Human Services, October 2020
Guidance
Checklist for Teachers and Parents
Department of Health and Human Services, July 2020
Guidance
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: Addressing PPE Needs in Non-Healthcare Setting
Department of Homeland Security, April 2020
Guidance
Guidance for Administrators of US K-12 Schools
Department of Health and Human Services, April 2020
Guidance
CISA Insights: Risk Management for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Department of Homeland Security, March 2020
Guidance
Be COVID Prepared Toolkit Plan
Department of Health and Human Services and Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2020
Guidance
Fact Sheet: Everyday Precautions To Keep COVID-19 Out of Your Home
Department of Homeland Security, 2020
Guidance
How to Disinfect your Workspace
Department of Homeland Security, 2020
Guidance
Proper Hand Washing Steps and Guidelines
Department of Homeland Security, 2020
Webpage
When and How to Wash Your Hands
Department of Health and Human Services
Webpage
Health Promotion Materials
Department of Health and Human Services
Respond and Recover
Please see the following resources broken down by topic on how your school can respond and recover following the decline of COVID-19 transmission in the local community.
Guidance
Toolkit for Responding to COVID-19 Cases
Department of Health and Human Services, September 2021
Guidance
Return to School Roadmap
Department of Education, August 2021
Guidance
A Resource for Parents on Returning to In-Person Learning
Department of Education, August 2021
Guidance
How to Prioritize the Health and Safety of Students, School Personnel, and Families
Department of Education, August 2021
Webpage
StopRansomware.gov
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, July 2021
Guidance
Webpage
Safer Schools and Campuses Best Practices Clearinghouse
Department of Education, May 2021
Fact Sheet
Cyber Safety Series: Ransomware - Tip Sheet
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, February 2021
Video
Cyber Safety Series: Ransomware
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, February 2021
Webpage
Deciding How To Go Back to School
Department of Health and Human Services, January 2021
Report
Cyber Actors Target K-12 Distance Learning Education to Cause Disruptions and Steal Data
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, December 2020
Guidance
Cyber Threats to K-12 Remote Learning Education
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, December 2020
Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet: Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund II
Department of Education, December 2020
Guidance
Adapting PBIS Practices for Rural Settings: Remote Instruction Strategy Matrix
Third Party, November 2020
Guidance
Ransomware Guide
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, September 2020
Guidance
Coronavirus FAQ Answers from Across the U.S. Government: Parents and Children (Interagency)
Department of Health and Human Services, Federal Emergency Management Agency and The White House, June 2020
Guidance
Frequently Asked Questions on the Maintenance-of-Effort Requirements Applicable to the CARES Act Programs
Department of Education, May 2020
Guidance
Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA): Questions and Answers and Performance Accountability Outline (ED RSA)
Department of Education, March 2020
Guidance
Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA): COVID-19 Questions and Answers
Department of Education, May 2020
Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet: Impact of COVID-19 on Assessments and Accountability under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
Department of Education, March 2020
Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet: Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Schools while Protecting the Civil Rights of Students
Department of Education, March 2020
Guidance
Guidance for Student Foreign Travel
Department of Health and Human Services, March 2020
Guidance
Be COVID Prepared Toolkit Plan
Department of Health and Human Services and Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2020
Guidance
Promising Practices and Approaches to Support Remote Learning
Department of Education, 2020
Guidance
Returning to School: A Toolkit for Principals
Department of Education, 2020
Guidance
Stop.Think.Connect Parent and Educator Resources
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Fact Sheet
Ransomware Reference Materials for K-12
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Guidance
Ransomware Reference Materials for Students
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Guidance
Ransomware Reference Materials for Parents, Teachers, and School Administrators
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Guidance
Ransomware Reference Materials K-12 School and School District IT Staff
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Fact Sheet
Protecting Sensitive and Personal Information from Ransomware-Caused Data Breaches
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, August 2021
Guidance
Training and Technical Assistance Related to COVID-19
Department of Health and Human Services, August 2021
Guidance
NTTAC Event: Supporting Students, Educators, and Parents as Schools Reopen
Department of Health and Human Services, May 2021
Guidance
Strengthening School Communities for a Safe, Supportive Return: Part 2
Department of Health and Human Services, May 2021
Guidance
Behavioral Health Impacts During & After COVID-19
Department of Health and Human Services, April 2021
Guidance
Back to School After COVID-19: Supporting Student and Staff Mental Health
Department of Health and Human Services, July 2020
Webpage
Back to School During COVID-19
Department of Health and Human Services, August 2021
Guidance
Return to School Roadmap
Department of Education, August 2021
Guidance
A Resource for Parents on Returning to In-Person Learning
Department of Education, August 2021
Guidance
How to Prioritize the Health and Safety of Students, School Personnel, and Families
Department of Education, August 2021
Guidance
Webpage
Safer Schools and Campuses Best Practices Clearinghouse
Department of Education, May 2021
Webpage
Deciding How To Go Back to School
Department of Health and Human Services, January 2021
Guidance
Responding to COVID-19 School Mental Health
Department of Health and Human Services, 2021
Guidance
Guidance
Supporting Students Experiencing Trauma During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Department of Education, June 2020
Guidance
Be COVID Prepared Toolkit Plan
Department of Health and Human Services and Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2020
Guidance
Returning to School: A Toolkit for Principals
Department of Education, 2020
Guidance
Toolkit for Responding to COVID-19 Cases
Department of Health and Human Services, September 2021
Guidance
Improving Ventilation in Schools, Colleges, and Universities to Prevent COVID-19
Department of Education, August 2021
Guidance
Return to School Roadmap
Department of Education, August 2021
Guidance
What To Do If A Student Becomes Sick or Reports a New COVID-19 Diagnosis at School
Department of Health and Human Services, July 2021
Guidance
A Resource for Parents on Returning to In-Person Learning
Department of Education, August 2021
Guidance
How to Prioritize the Health and Safety of Students, School Personnel, and Families
Department of Education, August 2021
Guidance
Webpage
Safer Schools and Campuses Best Practices Clearinghouse
Department of Education, May 2021
Guidance
Operational Strategy for K-12 Schools through Phased Prevention
Department of Health and Human Services, May 2021
Guidance
Considerations for Case Investigation and Contact Tracing in K-12 Schools and Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs)
Department of Health and Human Services, April 2021
Guidance
Teachers and Staff Resuming In-Person Learning
Department of Health and Human Services, March 2021
Guidance
How Do I Set Up My Classroom? A Quick Guide for Teachers
Department of Health and Human Services, March 2021
Guidance
Getting Schools Ready for In-Person Learning: How to Plan and Execute a COVID-19 Mitigation Walkthrough
Department of Health and Human Services, March 2021
Guidance
Department of Education: Strategies for Safely Reopening Elementary and Secondary Schools
Department of Education, February 2021
Guidance
Information for School Nurses and Other Healthcare Personnel (HCP) Working in Schools and Child Care Settings
Department of Health and Human Services, February 2021
Guidance
A Student is Showing Signs of COVID-19 and Needs to be Isolated: What Do I Do?
Department of Health and Human Services, December 2020
Guidance
Considerations for Monitoring and Evaluation of Mitigation Strategies Implemented in K-12 Schools
Department of Health and Human Services, October 2020
Guidance
Screening Students for Symptoms
Department of Health and Human Services, July 2020
Guidance
FAQ for School Administrators on Reopening Schools
Department of Health and Human Services, July 2020
Guidance
Testing in Institutions of Higher Education
Department of Health and Human Services, June 2020
Guidance
K-12 Schools and Child Care Programs FAQs
Department of Health and Human Services, June 2020
Guidance
Considerations for Institutions of Higher Education
Department of Health and Human Services, May 2020
Guidance
Be COVID Prepared Toolkit Plan
Department of Health and Human Services and Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2020
Guidance
Be COVID Prepared Plan Template
Department of Health and Human Services and Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2020
Guidance
Returning to School: A Toolkit for Principals
Department of Education, 2020
Guidance
Return to School Roadmap
Department of Education, August 2021
Guidance
What To Do If A Student Becomes Sick or Reports a New COVID-19 Diagnosis at School
Department of Health and Human Services, July 2021
Guidance
A Resource for Parents on Returning to In-Person Learning
Department of Education, August 2021
Guidance
How to Prioritize the Health and Safety of Students, School Personnel, and Families
Department of Education, August 2021
Guidance
Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People
Department of Health and Human Services, July 2021
Guidance
Guidance
Operational Strategy for K-12 Schools through Phased Prevention
Department of Health and Human Services, May 2021
Guidance
Teachers and Staff Resuming In-Person Learning
Department of Health and Human Services, March 2021
Guidance
Getting Schools Ready for In-Person Learning: How to Plan and Execute a COVID-19 Mitigation Walkthrough
Department of Health and Human Services, March 2021
Guidance
Department of Education: Strategies for Safely Reopening Elementary and Secondary Schools
Department of Education, February 2021
Guidance
A Student is Showing Signs of COVID-19 and Needs to be Isolated: What Do I Do?
Department of Health and Human Services, December 2020
Guidance
Guidance for K-12 School Administrators on the Use of Cloth Face Coverings in Schools
Department of Health and Human Services, July 2020
Guidance
K-12 Schools and Child Care Programs FAQs
Department of Health and Human Services, June 2020
Tool
Exercise Starter Kit for Workshop on Reconstituting Operations
Federal Emergency Management Agency, May 2020
Guidance
Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes
Department of Health and Human Services, May 2020
Guidance
Considerations for Institutions of Higher Education
Department of Health and Human Services, May 2020
Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet for Repurposing Federal Equipment and Supplies to Combat COVID-19
Department of Education, April 2020
Guidance
Donation or Loan of Personal Protective Equipment and Other Medical Supplies and Equipment Purchased with Federal Funds
Department of Education, 2020
Guidance
Be COVID Prepared Toolkit Plan
Department of Health and Human Services and Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2020
Guidance
Returning to School: A Toolkit for Principals
Department of Education, 2020