Back to School and Beyond Action Kit
Federal Resources

Center For Disease Control And Prevention –
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recognized as the lead federal agency for protecting the health and safety of people - at home and abroad, providing credible information to enhance health decisions, and promoting health through strong partnerships. Look for links to specific diseases, environmental health, and occupational health.

  • CDC/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry - ATSDR has placed special emphasis on children in conducting its health studies and other activities. The agency has conducted or funded large studies to assess whether the infants of mothers who live near hazardous waste sites are at higher risk for various birth defects or other adverse health outcomes (e.g., small for gestational age).
  • CDC/National Center for Environmental Health - CDC's National Center for Environmental Health strives to promote health and quality of life by preventing or controlling those diseases or deaths that result from interactions between people and their environment.
  • CDC/National Institutes of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) -NIOSH Safety Checklist Program for Schools
    Administrators, coordinators, and teachers know that their schools should comply with Federal or State Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations.... This Safety Checklist Program can help … bring schools into compliance.... In one easy-to-read source, the Safety Checklist Program provides information needed by schools to maintain safe classrooms, shops, and labs for teachers and students in career-technical education. Note: NIOSH does not specifically protect children/students, but may afford some protection for adult employees.

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) -
EPA’smission is to protect human health and the environment. Learn more about:

  • Healthy School Environments -
    The healthy school environments web site is designed to provide one-stop access to the many programs and resources available to help prevent and resolve environmental issues in schools.
  • EPA State Guidelines for K-12 -

EPA’sVoluntary Guidelines for States: Development and Implementation of a School Environmental Health Programwill help states establish and sustain environmental health programs for K-12 schools.

  • EPA School Siting Guidelines -

EPA's voluntary school siting guidelines can help local school districts (local education agencies or LEAs) and community members evaluate environmental factors to make the best possible school siting decisions.

  • EPA Children's Health Protection -
  • EPA Healthy SEAT-
    The Healthy School Environments Assessment Tool (HealthySEATv2) is a fully customizable and easy to use software program designed to help school districts evaluate and manage ALL of their environmental, safety and health issues.
  • EPA IAQ Tools for Schools Program -
    SchoolOfficials, Facilities Staff Members, Teachers, Health CareProfessionals and Parents or Students, find information designed specifically for you.
  • EPA Indoor Air Quality-
  • Espanol -
  • EPA School Chemical Cleanout Campaign-
    Provides the latest information on children's health and environmental hazards, including research, publications, health programs, news items, and links to over 50 other organizations.
  • EPA Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Principles:

EPA and CDC jointly fund a national network oftenPediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSU) to advise agencies and communities and to help train new health care professionals.

  • PEHSU West:
  • PEHSU East:

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) -
The federal NIEHS, part of the National Institutes of Health, achieves its mission through multidisciplinary biomedical research programs, prevention and intervention efforts, and communication strategies that encompass training, education, technology transfer, and community outreach. Provides fact sheets and pamphlets on environmental hazards, such as lead and air quality and illnesses, such as asthma, facing children in schools. Includes scientific research and studies on children's health, as well as the latest news and events.

U.S. Department of Education -

  • Office of Safe and Healthy Students:
  • Office of Civil Rights:
  • Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services:

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