School Crisis Prevention and Intervention Book

An Overview of Crisis Prevention and Intervention     1
A Model for School Crisis Prevention and Intervention     2
Mitigation/Prevention     3
Crisis Preparation     6
Crisis Response     8
Recovery     11
Summary     13
Discussion and Application Ideas     13
References     14
Crisis Planning     15
Case Study     15
The Goals of Crisis Planning     15
Developing Crisis Policies     17
Elements of a Comprehensive Crisis Plan     20
Policy and Procedures: An Illustration     22
Common Problems in Crisis Planning     27
Technology's Role in Crisis Planning     28
Summary     31
Case Study Conclusion     31
Discussion and Application Ideas     32
References     33
Crisis Team Preparation     34
Case Study     34
Crisis Team Members     35
Crisis Leadership Team     36
Community Members of the Crisis or Public Safety Team     37
School Crisis Team Coordinator     38
Mental Health Specialist     39
Other School Employees     40
Initial Crisis Team Training     43
Orientation and Introductions     43
Initial Training     44
Contents of a Crisis Response "Go-Kit"     48
Drills     51
Initial Calls and Briefings     52
Refresher Training     53
Common Problems in Crisis Team Preparation     53
Evaluating the Response and Improving the Plan     55
Supporting a Crisis Team     56
Basic Supports     56
Rotations     56
Employee Assistance Services     57
Summary     57
Case Study Conclusion     57
Discussion and Application Ideas     58
References     59
Crisis Communications     60
Case Study     60
The Goals of Crisis Communications     61
Preparing for Crisis Communications     62
Using Technology to Facilitate Initial Crisis Communications     65
Setting Up a Crisis Hotline     66
Communications During a Crisis     66
Callout Procedures for the Crisis Team and Agency Personnel     66
Informing School Personnel     67
Informing Students     68
Informing Parents     69
Holding a Parent Meeting     69
Rumor Control     72
Confidentiality Concerns     72
Working with Media Representatives     72
Understanding Media Goals, Limitations, and Deadlines     73
Creating and Maintaining the Message     73
Media Interviews     75
Summary     76
Case Study Conclusion     76
Discussion and Application Ideas     77
References     78
Prevention, Mitigation, and Response for Accidents and Illnesses     79
Case Study     79
Introduction     80
Assessing School Health Conditions     81
Preventing Accidents on the Way to and from School     82
Preventing Accidents at School     84
Environmental Hazards     85
Respiratory Emergencies     87
Asthma     87
Food Allergies     87
Risky Behaviors     89
Suicidal Behavior     90
Age     90
Gender, Race, and Sexual Orientation     90
Method     90
Risk Factors and Precipitants Associated with Youth Suicide     91
Mental Illness      91
Depression     91
Anxiety Disorders     91
Drug or Alcohol Abuse     92
Family Mental Illness     92
Family Discord     92
Exposure to the Suicidality of Others     92
Behavioral Indicators     93
Crisis Intervention for a Medical Emergency     93
General Procedures     93
Special Circumstances     95
Continuing Exposure to a Disease, Bacteria, or Virus     95
Suicide Contagion     96
Summary     97
Case Study Conclusion     97
Discussion and Application Ideas     98
References     98
Prevention, Mitigation, and Response for Violence     100
Case Study     100
Introduction     101
School Safety Assessment     101
Assessing Perceptions About School Safety     103
Reviewing Policies and Procedures     104
Assessing Physical Security     104
School Violence Prevention     104
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design     105
Prevention Through Security Measures and Interactions     105
Threat Assessment     106
School Climate and Staff Supervision     110
Bullying or Peer Harassment     110
Identifying Those at Risk for Involvement as Bullies or Victims     111
Individual Crisis Responses     112
Schoolwide Crisis Responses     114
Supporting Students After a Violent Incident     118
Crisis Responding After a Crime Has Been Committed     120
Safeguarding the School Community When the Threat Continues     120
Summary     122
Case Study Conclusion     123
Discussion and Application Ideas     123
References     124
Prevention, Mitigation, and Response for Disasters     126
Case Study     126
Introduction     126
Preparation, Prevention, and Mitigation     126
Awareness and Assessment     127
Preparation Activities for Students     127
Disaster Response: How External Agencies Are Involved     128
Disaster Recovery: Acknowledgment, Expression, and Reengagement     130
Acknowledgment     130
Expression of Feelings     131
Reengagement with School     132
Typical Reactions to Disasters     133
Young Children's Reactions     134
Elementary School Children's Reactions     135
Adolescents' Reactions     135
Adult Reactions     136
Supporting Disaster Victims Through School-Based Counseling     136
Summary     136
Case Study Conclusion     137
Discussion and Application Ideas     138
References     138
Recovery: Psychological Supports in a Crisis     140
Case Study     140
Introduction     140
Understanding the Traumatic Experience     141
Typical Indicators of Helplessness, Fear, and Horror     142
School-Based Supports for Students     142
Reassurance Provided by Teachers, Parents, and Paraprofessionals     143
Psychological First Aid Provided by Trained Responders     143
Group Interventions     147
Psychological Debriefing     147
Acute Stress Reaction Disorder     150
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder     151
Traumatic Grief     153
Supporting Students and Their Families     155
Summary     155
Case Study Conclusion     156
Discussion and Application Ideas     156
References     157
Recovery: Postvention Following a Death      159
Case Study     159
Postvention Following Suicide: Preventing Contagion     160
An Overview of the Postvention Process     161
Verifying the Death     161
Contacting the Victim's Family     166
Safeguarding the Victim's Belongings     167
Following the Schedule of the Deceased     167
Group Interventions     167
One-Time Educational Support Group     168
Informal Student-Initiated Groups     169
Individual Screening     169
General Guidelines     169
Funeral Plans     171
Postvention in Other Schools     171
Communications     171
Suicide Contagion and the Media     172
Supporting the Postvention Team     172
Evaluation and Follow-Up     173
Memorials     173
Memorials Following a Suicide     173
Student-Initiated Memorials     174
Community Considerations     175
Yearbook Memorials     175
Graduation Activities After a Death     178
Anniversary Dates     178
Summary     179
Case Study Conclusion     179
Discussion and Application Ideas     180
References     180
Recovery: Supporting School Crisis Responders     182
Case Study     182
Introduction     182
Risk Factors for Burnout     182
Burnout and Compassion Fatigue     184
Supporting Crisis Responders     185
The Paradoxical Rewards of Crisis Responding     189
Summary     189
Case Study Conclusion     189
Discussion and Application Ideas     191
References     192
Name Index     193
Subject Index     197