September is National Preparedness Month. The Ready Illinois webpage for National Preparedness Month quotes IEMA Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau, saying "The ongoing battle against COVID-19 underscores the importance of building a culture of preparedness,” and that "Preparedness is more than building a kit, it’s about communication, mitigation and education. While being prepared will not prevent a disaster, it will provide the foundation for an expedited recovery and instill the confidence to meet challenges when they arise.” The page also ties COVID-related preparedness information into creating/updating family emergency plans.

Ready.gov's National Preparedness Month page shares preparedness PSAs, social media content and graphics, weekly themes, and a variety of other resources to promote preparedness, including information on preparing for disasters during COVID-19.

The Ready Kids website has resources for educators, including lessons and activities, to help educate students about preparedness.

Anyone who has been involved in school and campus safety long enough knows the importance of school climate, mental/emotional health and wellness supports, and preventing bullying. All three play a significant role in schools and the culture they uphold. In providing the best learning environment for students and educators alike, inclusivity is important, especially for marginalized individuals and groups. Recently, Illinois took additional steps in promoting inclusivity by requiring LGTBQ lessons to be included in Illinois public schools. Effective July 1, 2020, Illinois House Bill 246 mandates that "In public schools only, the teaching of history shall include a study of the roles and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the history of this country and this State."

To help educators with LGBTQ inclusive lesson plans , The Legacy Project has created the Legacy Project Education Initiative, which features lesson plans on historic LGBTQ individuals; an education video collection; messages to parents, teachers, and LGBTQ youth; and more. For example, September's Featured Lesson Plan of the Month is on Father Mychal Judge, a Fransican Priest and New York Fire Department Chaplain, who died during 9/11.

In addition to LGBTQ curriculum, consider reviewing these additional resources to help promote inclusivity and wellbeing: Stopbullying.gov's LGBTQ Youth page and the CDC's LGBT Youth Resources page.

The Illinois Department of Public Health has released "COVID-19 Interim Exclusion Guidance: Decision Tree for Symptomatic Individuals in Pre-K, K-12 Schools and Day Care Programs" which includes a "Supplemental Guidance: Considerations for School Nurses and Healthcare Providers" page as well.