To develop sound emergency management practices and comprehensive emergency operations plans (EOPs), schools should incorporate community-based organizations and agencies into the planning process. Collaboration by schools with community partners can support implementation of the National Preparedness System mission areas--prevent, protect, mitigate, respond and recover--and help enhance the emergency preparedness process. This fact sheet offers strategies that can be used by schools and school districts to create a solid foundation with youth-serving community-based organizations, expand their current networks of collaboration, and anticipate potential obstacles so that partnerships will be activated quickly and efficiently if a critical incident occurs.