NCCEV Press Releases

For immediate release: June 6, 2002

Making School Crisis Response and Prevention a Top Priority

NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT -- As our nation continues to respond to threats of terrorism in the wake of September 11, and prepare for potential future events of terrorism, rapid and appropriate response to crises affecting children is critical. Our experiences last fall taught us that many schools were unprepared and not well-equipped to cope with children traumatized by the violence of a terrorist attack or the fears associated with bioterrorism or war.

In the past several months, professionals at the National Center for Children Exposed to Violence (NCCEV), based at the Yale University Child Study Center in New Haven (CT), have been called upon to advise educators using the guidelines of the School Crisis Prevention and Response Initiative, a model developed at Yale a decade ago. According to Dr. Steven Marans, Director of Trauma Programs for the NCCEV, "As a result of our collaboration with educators, there is dramatically increased awareness of the necessity of having mechanisms in place to help children and families in times of emotional need whether the crisis is in the school, the immediate community or beyond."

The mission of the School Crisis Prevention and Response Initiative is "to empower school staff through prior planning and training, to provide consultation to schools in developing their capacities to meet students' emotional and mental health needs and to provide technical assistance in resolving problems arising in specific crisis situations."

Founded by Dr. David Schonfeld, a developmental and behavioral pediatrician at Yale and the NCCEV, the Initiative is a collaboration of local and state educational agencies, community health professionals and law enforcement representatives in Connecticut.

Using the Initiative as a guide, educators, school administrators and schoolbased mental care providers can help children cope with traumatic events by initiating and continuing discussions with children and their parents or caretakers, and by identifying resources in their community for children and families in need of intervention services or ongoing care. Recently, the National Center has conducted a series of ongoing trainings both locally and around the nation to help schools prepare for unexpected disasters and to deal with the consequences of children's exposure to trauma. An example of this ongoing training has occurred through a recent collaboration with New York City public schools where NCCEV faculty have trained school personnel throughout the City of New York following the events of September 11th.

Since 1991, School Crisis Prevention and Response Initiative experts have trained more than 15,000 professionals in the United States and abroad-- including 500 crisis teams--and have provided technical assistance to schools during more than 200 crises events. In Connecticut, more than half the State's school districts have received crisis training over the past decade and trainings are currently ongoing in Connecticut and in New York City.

National Center experts emphasize that children and families can suffer vicarious as well as real traumatization in the face of violence and exposure to trauma. Schools, as an integral part of the larger community, should:

Establish a well-trained school-based crisis response team made up of school staff and mental health and law enforcement professionals within the community; and,
Develop guidelines that include criteria for crisis team membership, the roles of team members, procedures for delivery of crisis intervention services and specific criteria for responding to such situations as natural disasters and terrorist attacks.

Key components of the plan are: safety and security; dissemination of information; and tending to the emotional and psychological needs of all involved. If a crisis response plan does not address all three areas--at the same time--it is unlikely that any one area will be adequately addressed.

Dr. Schonfeld from the National Center explains that the Initiative provides services as well as training. The services include general written guidelines on school crisis preparedness and response, advice and consultation on the establishment of customized school crisis plans, consultation with school staff to help them develop collaborative relationships within their own team and with community partners and technical assistance in the aftermath of a school crisis. Dr. Steven Marans further explains:

"We would all like to think that there will be no more terrorist attacks but, according to those on the front lines of this new kind of war, it is very possible that we will have to respond to future crises that jeopardize the safety and sense of well-being of our children. We've learned that individuals, schools and communities respond much better with the proper preparation, training and ongoing support. It is at the very heart of the mission of the NCCEV to stand ready to provide the necessary tools to those dedicated to protecting our children."

For further information about the National Center for Children Exposed to Violence, visit the NCCEV website at www.nccev.org or call 1-877-49-NCCEV (62238). For in-depth information about the School Crisis Response Initiative, please visit www.nccev.org/docs/ovcschoolcrisisbulletin.pdf.

For more information, please contact:

National Center for Children Exposed to Violence
1-877- 49-NCCEV
Email: nccev@info.med.yale.edu
Or visit the program’s websites at www.nccev.org and www.cd-cp.org.