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Infectious Diseases and Public Health Infectious Diseases and Public Health

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Protect schools and communities during a public health crisis.

Schools must be prepared to respond to sudden infectious disease outbreaks and other public health concerns and emergencies. Sustaining safe in-person learning, ensuring proper hygiene, and managing daily operations are all important for keeping a safe and secure school environment amid a health crisis.

Schools are an important part of the infrastructure of communities. They provide safe and supportive learning environments for students that support social and emotional development, provide access to critical services, and improve life outcomes. Schools should work with local public health officials, consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including those related to privacy, to determine additional prevention strategies needed in their area by monitoring levels of community transmission and local vaccine coverage, and use of screening testing to detect cases in K-12 schools during public health emergencies.

Use the filter below to sort resources available based upon stages of preparedness and subtopic.

Featured Resources

These resources are a starting point for learning about infectious diseases and public health. Use these resources to help your school manage and respond to an infectious disease outbreak and promote safe public health. Members of the school community can also download this SchoolSafety.gov infographic to learn more about everyday preventive actions and access a sampling of infectious diseases and public health resources.

Assessment
Infectious Diseases and Public Health
School Health Index

Department of Health and Human Services, 2017

This online self-evaluation and planning tool enables schools to identify strengths and weaknesses of health and safety policies and programs, develop an action plan for improving student health, and engage teachers, parents, students, and the community in promoting health-enhancing behaviors and better health.

Webpage
Infectious Diseases and Public Health
Protect Your Child from COVID-19, the Flu, and Other Illnesses

Department of Health and Human Services

This webpage provides information, resources, and recommendations for parents and legal guardians to help children lower the risk of illnesses, stay healthy, and protect the people around them throughout the school year.

Filter Resources

All Infectious Diseases and Public Health Resources

The federal government identified additional resources that highlight strategies for school safety. Use these resources to learn more about infectious diseases and public health.

Report
Cybersecurity
Cyber Actors Target K-12 Distance Learning Education to Cause Disruptions and Steal Data

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, December 2020

This Joint Cybersecurity Advisory from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center assesses cyber threats, risk, vulnerabilities, and malicious cyber activity targeting K-12 educational institutions, leading to ransomware attacks, the theft of data, and the disruption of distance learning services. The advisory also outlines best practices to mitigate these threats.

Guidance
Infectious Diseases and Public Health
Adapting PBIS Practices for Rural Settings: Remote Instruction Strategy Matrix

Third Party, November 2020

This Remote Instruction Strategy Matrix by the Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS) with corresponding resources that can be tailored in intensity to meet various student needs (social, emotional, behavioral well-being, academic engagement) provides educators within the rural education setting with a continuum of learning support strategies that can be followed by adaptations for implementation based on available technology. 

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