Crisis Prevention and Response Plans
School Crisis Response Plans
In conjunction with the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, we have developed a School Crisis Prevention and Response Plan Portal within our Grant Planning System. This portal allows counties to submit their school-specific plans to the required agencies for approval, as required by WV Code §18-9F-9. Access to the portal is restricted to individuals directly involved in writing, submitting, and approving the Crisis Prevention and Response Plans.
Memorandum of Understandings
A component of developing the Crisis Response Plan is selecting evacuation points and reunification sites. When the best possible location for these activities is proposed to occur at a site not owned by the county, a memorandum of understanding must be completed with the property owner to ensure all parties are aware of the arrangement and their responsibilities.
School Crisis Response Planning Team
The Crisis Response Planning Team will be responsible for identifying members of the Crisis Response Team and the School Mental Health Resource Team. This includes ensuring plans and protocols are in place should a crisis occur.
As outlined by WV Code §18-9F-9, the Crisis Response Planning Team should consist of:
- The school principal
- A school counselor
- A school nurse (if available)
- At least two teachers (with at least one being a special education teacher and serving as the Special Needs Coordinator)
- A service personnel member
- Two parent/family representatives who have a child attending the school.
Additional members may include:
- A community mental health representative
- A comprehensive behavioral health disaster coordinator
- A school resource office and/or local law enforcement
- A county board member
- A member of the community fire/rescue team
- The local Emergency Management Agency director
- A high school student Grade 10 or higher
An alternative composition for the Crisis Response Planning Team is the Local School Improvement Council members.
School Crisis Response Team
The Crisis Response Team should consist of:
- The school principal
- The assistant principal or head teacher
- The head custodian
- The school nurse
- The school counselor
- The school resource officer or local law enforcement
- Designated evacuation coordinator
- Designated reunification coordinator
For schools with more than one assistant principal, include all administration on the Crisis Response Team. For schools that split the student population into more than one Evacuation/ Reunification site, there must be a designated Coordinator for each site.
Mental Health in School Crisis Prevention and Response
Traumatic experiences can affect students' mental health and the ability of school staff to teach and learn. Having a comprehensive system of school mental health services and supports already in place will assist schools in better addressing the ensuing mental health needs that arise with any crisis. By preparing in advance, schools may prevent crises. This also helps schools address the needs of impacted students, including vulnerable students and staff, should a crisis occur.
This guide addresses mental health considerations for crisis plans that are required by Policy 2315, Comprehensive School Counseling Programs. It also contains resources, tools, and recommendations for incorporating best practices related to mental health into school crisis plans to address the four phases of a school crisis: planning, prevention/mitigation, response, and recovery. Using resources from this toolkit, the school counselor will lead the school crisis team in developing and routinely updating the mental health component of your school’s crisis plan.
School Mental Health Resource Team
The School Mental Health Crisis Response Team should consist of:
- The school counselor
- The school principal
- The school nurse
- The school social worker
- The school psychologist
- The school-based mental health provider (if applicable)
- A community mental health provider
- A Prevention Resource Officer, School Resource Officer/law enforcement officer,
- A special educator
- School counselors from other schools
- Faith-based representatives
- Other individuals that can provide mental health supports in response to a crisis