August 2003

Can you recommend resources to help our school system outline appropriate procedures following a school-based crisis or emergency?

Excellent resources are available, many of which were developed after the series of school tragedies and the events of 9/11. We suggest reviewing each of these websites for more information.

1. Dr. Scott Poland

Practical Suggestions for Crisis Debriefing in Schools

Safe Schools and Spring Time Post 9/11: Prevention Issues

School staff sometimes underestimate the emotional impact of a tragedy and the need for faculty and students to have the opportunity to process the tragedy. Higher rates of PTSD in particular have been found with exposure to violence versus national disasters. School support personnel, such school counselors, psychologists, social workers, and nurses, are aware of the need for processing sessions but are uncertain how to proceed. The following web sites present resources produced by Dr. Scott Poland, a nationally recognized school psychologist.

www.schoolsecurity.org/resources/crisis.html

www.schoolsecurity.org/resources/scott_poland.html

2. Crisis Planning Resources

www.ed.gov/emergencyplan

•  Practical Information on Crisis Planning: A Guide for Schools and Communities
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The U.S. Department of Education has developed a guide to provide schools and communities with basic guidelines and useful ideas on how to develop emergency response and crisis management plans. Hard copies of the guide are available and can be ordered from ED Pubs .

•  School Emergency Response and Crisis Management Plan Discretionary Grant Program
The U.S. Department of Education announces a discretionary grant competition to provide school districts with funds to strengthen and improve current school crisis plans.

3. Helpful Resources From the National Association of School Psychologists

http://www.nasponline.org/NEAT/crisis_0911.html

Tips for Parents and Teachers for Helping Children Deal With Tragic Events in Unsettling Times ? HTML     PDF

•Save a Friend - Tips for Teens to Prevent Suicide

•Times of Tragedy: Preventing Suicide in Troubled Children and Youth, Part I - Tips for School Personnel or Crisis Team

•MembersTimes of Tragedy: Preventing Suicide in Troubled Children and Youth, Part II - Tips for School Personnel or Crisis Team Members

•Managing Strong Emotional Reactions to Traumatic Events: Tips for Parents and Teachers

•Children and Fear of War and Terrorism - Tips for Parents and Teachers

•Coping with Crisis--Helping Children With Special Needs

•Memorials/Activities/Rituals Following Traumatic Events - Suggestions for Schools

•Promoting Tolerance and Peace in Children

•Responding to National Crises - Advice for Caregivers

•Identifying Seriously Traumatized Children: Tips for Parents and Educators

Resources for Mental Health Professionals

Advice for Caregivers: A National Challenge

Helping Children Cope with Loss, Death and Grief: Response to a National Tragedy

Coping with Terrorism--Helping Children with Special Needs: Tips for School Personnel and Parents

Children and Fear of War and Terrorism: Tips for Parents and Teachers

4. Practical Information on Crisis Planning: A Guide for Schools and Communities

http://www.ed.gov/PressReleases/05-2003/05162003.html

This guide provides schools, districts and communities with the key concepts and components of good crisis planning.

Crisis plans should address state and local school safety laws and be customized to meet the unique needs of local communities. Using research conducted by experts in school crisis planning, the guide lists four areas of crisis management that all school crisis plans should address: Mitigation-Prevention, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery.

5. http://www.ed.gov/PressReleases/03-2003/03072003.html

To provide school leaders with more information about emergency preparedness, the U.S. Department of Education has developed a web site- www.ed.gov/emergencyplan -as a one-stop shop to help school officials plan for any emergency, including natural disasters, violent incidents, and terrorist acts.