Frequently Asked Questions About Pandemic Flu
Questions and answers about how schools can prepare in the event of pandemic influenza.Where can I obtain information about what schools should do in the event of a pandemic?
Contact the local county health department for the county in which the school is located for information and guidance related to a pandemic.
What should schools do now to prepare for a possible pandemic?
Schools are encouraged to review and update their comprehensive school safety plans (as described in California Education Code (EC) sections 32281 through 32289.5) and determine whether they wish to include procedures related to a pandemic, such as those contemplated by EC Section 32282(a)(2)(B)(ii) to allow use of school buildings, grounds, and equipment for mass care and welfare during emergencies affecting the public health and welfare.
May contracting child development agencies receive credit for service provided during emergency conditions?
The CDE’s Early Education Division Management Bulletin 21-10, entitled “Non-Covid-19 Emergency Closure Requests,” contains guidance for California State Preschool contractors related to EC Section 8249, which provides that agencies unable to operate “due to circumstances beyond a contractor’s control, including earthquakes, floods, or fires, shall not be penalized for incurred program expenses nor in subsequent annual budget allocations.” The Management Bulletin provides information regarding the process for requesting potential closure credit for any reduction in days of operation.
May qualified school districts request nutrition reimbursement during emergency conditions?
School districts or county offices of education that participate in the National School Lunch Program may be eligible to obtain reimbursement during a state or federally proclaimed disaster (EC Section 49505(a)). Participating schools may serve free meals to students whose families are temporarily unable to provide adequate meals for them due to the effects of a natural disaster. (EC Section 49505(a)). Such school districts and county offices of education unable to meet the meal component requirement because of a state or federally declared disaster are exempt from serving all required meal components during the disaster period (EC Section 49505(b)). Schools that are closed due to a disaster may apply for reimbursement to pay for salaries and other fixed expenses of child nutrition programs (EC Section 49505(c)).
Applications for Meal Reimbursement During Disaster should be submitted immediately following the qualifying disaster to the CDE, Fiscal and Administrative Services Division, Child Nutrition Fiscal Services. Separate claims should be filed for each emergency event. Applications are reviewed after the end of the state's fiscal year (June 30), with a final filing date of August 20. Approved disaster relief payments will be made by check directly to the program operators. For more information, please visit the CDE's Disaster Guidance for Child Nutrition Programs web page.
Is there guidance for the appropriate use and fit-testing requirements when using the N95 respirator masks?
The California Occupational Safety and Health Agency (Cal/OSHA) provides guidance on the use and proper positioning of N95 masks for protection against harmful airborne particles in the workplace in Cal/OSHA - N95 Mask Commonly Asked Questions
. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) provides general guidance on masks (including N95 masks) in When and Why to Wear a Mask
.
.Where may I get more guidance on pandemic influenza?
The CDE has excellent resources that can assist you with your pandemic influenza planning and prevention efforts available at Flu Prevention.
If you have any questions regarding pandemic influenza, please contact the Office of School-Based Health Programs at schoolnurse@cde.ca.gov.
Will local educational agencies (LEAs) lose funding because of excessive student absences due to pandemic flu?
LEAs that close or have a material decrease in attendance due to epidemics (or certain other types of emergency conditions) may request average daily attendance (ADA) credit through the CDE Form J-13A waiver process.
If the average daily attendance of a school district, county office of education, or charter school during the fiscal year has been materially decreased during a fiscal year because of any of the enumerated events (including an epidemic) in EC 46392(a), the fact shall be established to the satisfaction of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI) by affidavits further described in EC 46392(a).
Additional information regarding material decreases in attendance and school closure attendance credit due to emergency conditions can be found in EC sections 46390 and 46392 and the CDE’s Management Advisory 90-01. The Request for Allowance of Attendance Form J-13A (PDF) is also available.
If you have any questions regarding ADA waivers, please contact Attendance Accounting at attendanceaccounting@cde.ca.gov.