ACSA Council & Committee

Many schools have found it helpful to create a crisis response box that is shared with a local police/sheriff’s department.

Preparing for emergencies and response to crisis means working with mental health professionals and staff to identify signs of possible issues and then planning for responses.

Like any emergency, a reunification process must be planned prior to any event.

Security assessments of each facility in a district can be overwhelming and expensive.

After an incident, a wide array of vendors will offer services that sound attractive, including public relations, facility, and counseling services.

All schools are required to have a comprehensive safety plan with specific roles and guidelines reviewed by stakeholders on an annual basis.

It is important to honor the grieving process in the aftermath of a tragedy.

Develop a plan to share information with families and community members.

Research shows a direct correlation between strong SEL programs and reduced behavioral issues with students.

An after action report is a structured review and debrief process.

Before beginning any press conferences, bring in your district counsel.

Time is of the essence.

Staff will require ongoing long and short term support after a major incident.

It is important to deploy mental health and bereavement professionals, and social workers to provide short and long-term support.

Staff must be informed of key information in a confidential staff meeting.

In the aftermath of an incident, communication is critically important.

It is important to reach out to known mental health providers or partners as soon as possible after a school crisis.