Disaster Recovery Unit
In late 2018, a new unit within the Immediate Office of the Assistant Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) – the Disaster Recovery Unit (DRU) – was created to spearhead disaster recovery work across the United States Department of Education (Department). The DRU will support all school community stakeholders affected by Federally declared natural disasters across the K-12 and higher education spectrum. Additionally, the DRU will manage interagency work to support natural disaster recovery (aimed at ensuring a better coordinated response to impacted areas across the feds). The four grant programs managed by the DRU: Emergency Impact Aid for Displaced Students (EIA); Immediate Aid to Restart School Operations (Restart); Assistance for Homeless Children and Youth (ACHY); and Project School Emergency Response to Violence (SERV). The DRU manages the part of Project SERV that is in response to natural disasters. Grants in support of response to school and community violence are still managed by the Department’s Office of Safe and Supportive Schools.
Disaster Recovery for State Education Agency Emergency Staff
This presentation provides an overview of the DRU’s purpose and programs. Additionally, the presentation highlights the Department’s framework for supporting State education agencies and local educational agencies during periods of response and recovery and includes an overview of available technical assistance and financial resources to support recovery.
