Service Profile
	Client:		DC Public Schools
	Task:		To develop an Emergency Crises Plan and Outreach Strategy for DC Public Schools
	Date:		October 2003 - March 2004
	Location:			Washington DC
	Project Challenge - In the capacity of Chief Communications Officer, Wharton Group Executive Director worked with key managers in DC Public Schools, officials from the DC Emergency Management Agency, local health department and emergency teams to produce an emergency operations plan. Against the backdrop of the 9-11 crisis, the plan was also designed to provide parents, school staff and school community with assurances that the school district was prepared and ready to handle an unforeseen emergency or crisis. Since many school teachers and staff lived in other jurisdictions and counties, it was imperative that the plan take that factor into consideration and mitigate its impact on school operation procedures. While a previous plan existed for the school district, it was necessary to revise the plan to address new concerns given the threat and potential of terrorism.
	Overview of Services - Produced a school-district wide emergency crises plan complete with an Operations Manual, letter from the Superintendent of schools, Q&A sheets, fact sheet for parents and school community and help tip sheets; scheduled announced and unannounced emergency practice drills; developed a special website for information; produced a community outreach plan to disseminate information about the plan to the community that included school district town hall meetings across the city, emergency hotline and dedicated web pages; coordinated emergency response plan and services as well as work with surrounding school district in Maryland and Virginia to help lessen the concerns from teachers and school administrator who reside outside the District and had obligations both at school and with families.
	Results - The Superintendent of Schools and other city officials were extremely satisfied with the schools system's response plan and outreach efforts. Parent and community expressed a strong desire to know more about what the school district would do and how secure and safe their children would be in the event of a terror attack or any other unforeseen emergency. The plan is currently being used by the school system and was presented in part at a jurisdictional school district meeting in Montgomery County hosted by the National Homeland Security and the Council of Government.