Disaster and Pandemic Response Special Education Resources
Disaster Response Resources
The following guidance and resources are related to disaster recovery from natural, man-made, and health-related disasters, including resources to consider when assisting families and staff after these traumatic events and the aftermath.
These resources for special education focus on ensuring the safety of students with disabilities and the provision of required services. These resources also provide guidelines for inclusive planning and outline frameworks for integrating special education into emergency efforts to enhance resilience and ensure equitable support in emergencies.
United States Department of Education
- OSEP Guidance and Resources
- Non-Regulatory Guidance on Flexibility and Waivers for Grantees and Program Participants Impacted by Federally Declared Disasters
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
these links can connect families and staff to support specific to individuals with disabilities who have been impacted by the disaster.
- Office of Disability and Integration and Coordination
- Regional Disability Integration Specialists 2020.pdf (aucd.org)
Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA)
National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
COVID-19 Information
Current Coronavirus Guidance for K-12 Schools and Child Care Programs is provided by the Virginia Department of Health. This guidance includes information about COVID-19 screening and at-home testing resources available to K-12 schools. COVID-19 information specific to Special Education is provided below.
Guidance from the U. S. Department of Education
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) continues to ensure additional guidance from the U. S. Department of Education (USED) is available directly to local school divisions. The USED's Office of Special Education Programs has also issued multiple Q & A documents related to COVID-19 and the implementation of IDEA under this pandemic. Additional U. S. Department of Education guidance specific to the COVID-19 pandemic may be found online at USED COVID-19 Resource Page.
- Letter to Educators and Parents Regarding New CDC Recommendations and Their Impact on Children With Disabilities (March 24, 2022)
- Long COVID under Section 504 and the IDEA: A Resource to Support Children, Students, Educators, Schools, Service Providers, and Families (July 26, 2021)
- Supporting Child and Student Social, Emotional, Behavioral and Mental Health (October 20, 2021)
- Supplemental Fact Sheet Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Schools While Serving Children with Disabilities (March 21, 2020)
- Questions and Answers on Providing Services to Children with Disabilities During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak (March 2020)