SHERMAN, September 26, 2014 – Dr. Susan Thomas, Executive Director of Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG) announced today that TCOG Public Safety Staff, Fannin County Emergency Management Coordinator and Fannin County School Administrators travelled last week to Oklahoma to tour school safe rooms at several Oklahoma Schools.

TCOG is currently working with Fannin County to update their Hazard Mitigation Plan. The plan must be updated every five years per FEMA regulations. “The update will include Fannin County school districts,” said Dr. Thomas. “Bringing the school districts into the process is important for the safety of their students. Participation in the mitigation planning process will allow the districts to apply to FEMA for Safe Room Projects.”

Fannin County Administrators toured five school safe rooms in Bryan County Oklahoma to gain a better understanding of the process and requirements for these FEMA assisted projects.

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson Counties. Established in 1968, the Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Either directly, or through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.

Here are 8 more reasons how area school districts benefit from a TCOG membership:

Prepared to learn

TCOG’s Grandparents As Parents program counseled, supported & provided school supplies for children in 35 grandparent-headed families.

Happy homes

TCOG provides safe and affordable housing through Section 8 to 462 children.

Safer environment

TCOG provides schools with 9-1-1 education and outreach opportunities.

Cleaner environment

TCOG provides classroom demonstrations on composting and recycling.

Warm beds in winter

TCOG weatherized homes and paid utility bills for 774 Texoma families with 1,082 children.

Extra attention for students

TCOG’s Foster Grandparents assist and support teachers by tutoring, mentoring, and encouraging Texoma’s special needs students.

Targeted referrals

School counselors and administrators are often the go-to people for children and families that are in crisis.

Dial 2-1-1 and TCOG will provide you with appropriate information and referrals to assist those families.

Current technology

School administrators need access to current technology and data to allocate limited resources and plan for the future.

TCOG can provide maps, current demographic and geographic data, and research support to administrators.

Is your school district a member?

Check out our membership directory to see if your school district has a current membership. If your school district is not listed, your community and students may be missing out on some of these benefits. Contact your school board representatives and let them know you want the benefits of a TCOG membership.