WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Bill Delahunt today announced the award of $249,388 in Department of Education Readiness and Emergency Management funds to the North River Collaborative in Rockland, MA.

“I am pleased that the federal government is assisting local school districts in providing a safe and secure learning environment for our children.” said Delahunt. “Grants like this are vital as part of the effort of improving emergency procedures and crisis counseling, while cementing collaboration with local public safety agencies.

The Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Grant Program provides funds for local school districts to strengthen their emergency management plans. As part of the No Child Left Behind Act, local school districts must demonstrate that they have plans outlining how their schools will be kept safe and drug free. Monies can be used to train school personnel in emergency management as well as coordinate with local first responders, medical and mental health agencies, and purchase equipment.

“North River Collaborative is grateful for the support of the USDOE Safe and Drug Free Schools for supporting this important work to develop partnerships with local responders in our communities. The grant was written to improve and strengthen emergency response and crisis plans at the school district and building level. The partnerships will address the four phases of crisis planning:  prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. These plans will be coordinated with state or local homeland security plans and support implementation of the National Incident Management System (NIMS),” said North River Collaborative Executive Director Joanne Haley Sullivan.

Sullivan also noted that the funding responds to a need in the towns to coordinate efforts between the schools, police, and fire departments to increase coordination and clearly communicate roles and responsibilities in a way that is useful to direct the procedures employed. 

The North River Collaborative (NRC) is a multi-purpose, educational organization formed in 1976, and considered as part of the member towns’ school districts. It is dedicated to producing quality and cost effective learning programs through collaboration. The Board of Directors is made up of representatives elected from each of the seven towns’ School Committees. The member districts include Abington, Bridgewater-Raynham, East Bridgewater, Hanover, Rockland, West Bridgewater and Whitman-Hanson. 

 

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