Saint Paul Public Schools Crisis Support Guide

Transcription

1 Saint Paul Public Schools Crisis Support Guide For Administrators and Crisis Support Team Members WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF MAJOR CRISIS WITH A STUDENT OR STAFF MEMBER TO ACCESS THE CRISIS SUPPORT TEAM CALL SPPS Security & Emergency Management (SEM) Revised 9/27/13

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3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Mission Statement 1 Things to Do 2 Crisis Day Checklist 3 Student/Staff Information Sheet 4 Suggestions for Initial Crisis Meeting with Building Staff 5 Informing Students of a Tragedy 6 Student Support Room & Services Coordination by Support Team 7 Staff Meeting-After the First Day of the Crisis 8 Suicide Crisis Intervention Procedure Community Crisis Resources 12 Crisis Support Team Exit Report 13

4 CRISIS SUPPORT TEAM MISSION STATEMENT To sustain SPPS s learning environment for students, staff, and schools by providing a safe and caring environment following a traumatic incident The purpose of this manual is to: assist building administrators in supporting the needs of the students and school staff immediately following a crisis event. assist Crisis Support Team members in providing crucial support and information to the building in the first 24 hours following a crisis event. 1

5 Dear Administrators, In the event of a school crisis or trauma, please be familiar with the following important initial steps. 1. Stay calm. 2. Review Crisis Day Checklist- p. 3 of this guide (though I don t see page numbers in this guide) 3. Call: o o o Safety, Emergency Management to deploy Crisis Support Team support Your District Supervisor District Communications 4. Follow Crisis Day Checklist p. 4 of this guide 5. Do not use the PA system to announce the crisis to staff. It is too disruptive and often too disturbing. If you can t meet personally or in a group with staff, give the information in an . You can make an announcement asking staff to check If there was a death, do not plan a memorial service. That is at the family s discretion. 7. Secondary schools should considering informing the student body at one time. For example, all teachers could inform students during second hour. Be sure that all staff follows the same strategy. If a staff member is uncomfortable delivering the message in a classroom, a Crisis Support Team member can be sent to the classroom to deliver the information to students. 8. Designate a Student Support Room (see p.7): This is a place for students to go if they are having difficulty maintaining their composure in a regular classroom environment. It will be staffed by at least two Crisis Support Team members, who will support students as needed throughout the day. 9. When the Crisis Support Team arrives, meet with member(s) to go over how you want the day to proceed. Provide copies of: a) Staff names and room numbers b) Prep and lunch schedules c) School map d) Important information about the incident e) Other important building logistics and routines, including the location of restrooms, lounge and lunchroom. 2

6 Saint Paul Public Schools Crisis Checklist The First 24 Hours Note: It is essential to protect the family s privacy. This should be considered in each decision. Yes/No Activity Person Responsible 1. Verify facts 2. Contact district communications Contact SEM Request other assistance as needed (police/liaison, notifications, additional security needs, threat assessment, social media interventions, etc. (The Crisis Support Team Lead will help you determine what is needed) 4. Contact district supervisor 5. Administrator or designee contacts parent to express condolences and ask what school can do to help. Verify facts/get permission to disclose information. 6. Inform staff via telephone tree, note or 7. Identify needs for building security 8. Hire substitutes if necessary 9. Strategize your plan with Crisis Support Team: Support Room location, how to disseminate info to staff and students, crisis details, etc. 10. Provide teacher, room, prep list and school map to Crisis Support Team 11. Write statement for phone inquiries 12. Administrator conducts staff meeting See p. 5 for ideas 13. Send parent communications as district directed 14. Take deceased student or staff name off any automatic call lists and school mailing lists, attendance, etc. 15. Debrief staff at the end of the day 16. Receive Crisis Support Team Exit Report 3

7 Student/Staff Information Sheet for Crisis Support Team Student or Staff Person s Name Age Grade or Class Taught Administrator Student s Teacher Support Staff involved with student Description of Student: Gender Race Family: Academics: Social: Extracurricular: What are confidential issues that the family wishes to have honored? What are the details of the crisis event? What students and staff are having the most difficult time? Who was closest to victim? What school history might affect student reaction or precipitate other crisis? 4

8 Suggestions for Initial Crisis Meeting with Staff in Building Who to invite All school staff, Crisis Support Team and district personnel (if needed) Topics to Discuss with building staff Review the facts of the crisis or death Discuss any special cultural concerns Introduce Crisis Support Team members and inform staff of their roles Explain processes for Crisis Support Team support in the classroom Discuss how students can receive small group or individual support from Crisis Support Team Review confidentiality for the victim and their family Designate a Support Room for use by students and staff How teachers can help Get help from the Crisis Support Team when needed Take necessary steps to take care of yourself Discuss event with class (Crisis Support Team can help). Stick to known facts. Request classroom coverage if you need a break Consider a break from the regular teaching routine to discuss crisis with students Send students in need of additional support to Support Room Allow students to write letters, create cards or draw pictures for victim s family Return to regular schedule after needed time has been devoted to crisis Respect the family s right for confidentiality. Share only what is factual. Refer any media organizations to the Administrator Miscellaneous Issues How can the Crisis Support Team and administration best support the staff? Give any information you have regarding the funeral or medical care Thank the staff for their efforts during this difficult time Communicate time and place for the after-school meeting after the first day of the crisis 5

9 Suggestions for Informing Students of the Situation Decide who will make announcements at your school about this situation. 1. Before informing the students about the tragedy, consult with the parents on what details they would or would not like shared. Consult with a Crisis Support Team member for suggestions and support as needed before making the announcement. 2. It is best to have Crisis Support Team member(s) available when the students are informed. 3. Inform teachers about the situation outside of the classroom, if possible. 4. When making this statement, it is helpful to give a short (sentence) introduction to the message. This allows people to prepare for the tragic news. Here is a sample statement to inform students of a tragedy. Revise for grade level appropriateness. We received some sad news today. One of our school members, was hurt, has been injured, has died. He/she. (Give basic information without too many details) We are all very sad and shocked by this news. When things like this happen, people have all different types of reactions, like shock, sadness, fear and anger. Some people like to be alone during times like this while others prefer to be around other people. It is a time when we can all be supportive of each other. 5. After the students have been informed of the tragedy, it may be helpful to allow students to ask some questions and for staff to facilitate discussion. A Crisis Support Team member may ask questions or may be present during these questions to facilitate. Remember to stick with factual answers and discourage students sharing what they ve heard. 6. Examples of how to facilitate students feelings/concerns/questions: Who has known someone that has died? What things do you remember about (the student who just died)? Explain that tragedy is uncommon. It is very unlikely that something like this will happen. Who is someone you can trust to talk to about these types of situations? Do you have any questions about the tragedy? If a student asks what happens when someone dies, do not give your opinion on this! Explain to the students that this is good time to talk to their parents about what they think happens when people die. What do you think we could do to help the family? What might make things worse for the family? (gossip) This is often a good time to make cards, letters or pictures. Students often feel better after this step. 7. Give the students any information you might have about the funeral. 8. After the students have completed the activity, get back to the regular schedule. Look for students who might need additional support. 6

10 Student Support Room & Services Coordination by Crisis Support Team Members 1. Ensure that all staff knows location of the Student Support Room and protocol to send students. 2. Work with administrator or building support staff to access private rooms where individual and small group counseling can occur if needed. 3. Ensure that all support staff and Crisis Support Team members have sufficient facts about the event and background about students or staff. Distribute the Student/Staff Information Sheet for Crisis Support Team. See handout p Inform Crisis Support Team members of location of staff lounge and bathrooms, parking concerns, other building logistics. 5. Building support staff and Crisis Support Team members collaborate to coordinate what counseling will occur. Find out who feels most comfortable and is experienced in areas such as debriefing, group counseling, notifying parents, counseling adults and notifying classrooms of the crisis. 6. Ensure that all support team members have supplies they need (Kleenex, paper, markers, water, etc.) to work with students during the day. 7. It is important that all staff and students who receive services be identified. Create a sign in sheet/system to include in final Exit Reports. (Remind Crisis Support Team) 8. Distribute the students evenly among the support staff and Crisis Support Team members for maximum support and attention. Utilize nursing staffs skills to monitor physical health of individuals 9. Dismiss Crisis Support Team members as the needs of the day permit being especially aware of those who have most urgent concerns and wish to return to their own buildings. 10. Monitor how support staff and Crisis Support Team members are doing. If some staff member becomes fatigued, encourage a break. 11. Meet with support staff and Crisis Support Team members at the end of the day. Complete Crisis Support Team Exit Reports for building administrator and district office. See handout on p

11 Staff Meeting End of Day of the Crisis As determined/conducted by building administrator The after-school meeting provides staff members a place to decompress and gain updated information after what may be a very intense day of supporting students. 1. Notify staff of time and place of meeting (include all staff-cafeteria, custodians, EA s, TA s, etc.). 2. Review the details of the day. 3. Give updates on any new information. Ex: progress update, funeral, etc. 4. Ask staff to communicate names of students who might benefit from additional support from site staff or Support Team. 5. Review signs that help identify students struggling with crisis. Physical sleep patterns, eating habits Emotional unusual fears, anger, worry, or clinging behaviors toward parent Social loss of interest in usual activities 6. Ask staff to discuss any areas they felt could be improved in dealing with the crisis and if necessary, make modifications. 7. Allow the Crisis Support Team to give updates. 8. Create a plan for the staff for the next day. 9. Share how appreciative you are of the staff s efforts during this difficult time. 10. Remind staff of the Employees Assistance Program, if they need more support, or

12 Assessing Dangerousness to Self or Others The expertise of school support personnel may be necessary when students make a suicidal statement or a threat to harm themselves or someone else. If this occurs, the Crisis Team Member may need to assess the dangerousness to self or others. The Office of Security & Emergency Management (SEM) may be contacted to assist with threat assessment and/or law enforcement intervention. Crisis Response Team members should familiarize themselves with the guidelines below. Warning signs that may warrant further assessment: Verbal or written threat Giving away belongings Expressions of hopelessness Withdrawal from family/friends Loss of interest/pleasure in activities Sudden mood elevation following depression Preoccupation with death/suicide Family or friends who have committed suicide Previous suicide attempt(s) What to do when a student makes a suicidal statement/gesture: Remain calm. Ensure immediate safety of the student. If the student has a dangerous item on their person, try to verbally persuade student to give up the item. Remove student from a public area. Do not leave an actively suicidal student alone, even for a minute. Assess for motive, means, method & lethality. Inform building administrator of situation. Inform parent or guardian of situation, plan for safety and follow up care. Ask for help from a colleague Encourage student to share feelings and acknowledge their feelings. Provide support to the student. How you can support a student with suicidal thoughts: Active listening. Encourage positive thinking. Ask students to tell you one good thing that happened to them every day. Help students write a list of his/her good qualities. Give student s opportunities for success and praise as often as possible. Communicate with families so they can understand how the student is feeling. Get students involved in a community service project. Helping others may raise self esteem. Make contracts with rewards for positive and new behaviors. 9

13 Intervening with a suicidal child: Consult with a colleague and/or a mental health professional. Documents all actions taken. Follow up with parent and student after the crisis. Provide debriefing for other staff members, as needed. Discussing a suicide/tragedy: Don t dramatize or glorify. Suicide is a tragedy that affects/hurts many people. Reinforce with students that suicide is never a good choice; while most problems are temporary, suicide/death is permanent. Support is always available. Possible sources of support include parents, extended family, friends, counselors, social workers, teachers, faith community, coaches, and community agencies. Put the event into perspective. No one should feel guilty for not having done/said enough. Suicide is almost always a result of numerous pressures, stresses, problems; it rarely results from a single event. Suicide results when someone is overwhelmed by feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. When a suicide has occurred, it is normal for people to have many feelings including anger, hurt, and sadness. Procedure for threatened suicide: Ensure the immediate safety of the student. Do not leave the student unsupervised. Complete a risk assessment with the student. Consult with colleagues to develop a plan for next steps and inform school administrator. Contact parent or guardian to share concerns and current situation. Develop safety plan with the parent or guardian. This may include providing appropriate referral information to community mental health services. If the student is out of control, has a concrete plan to harm him or herself, cannot identify alternative solution and the parent or guardian cannot be reached, consider the need for the student to be transported to the hospital. Call the Emergency Communications Center (ECC) and request a police officer be dispatched to your location to assist. If student is taken to the Emergency Department via ambulance/police or a parent, a school staff person may accompany the student to the ED. The school personnel should provide collateral information, either verbal or written, to the emergency staff (often a crisis social worker). This information will assist the Emergency Department in accurately determining what services the student may need. This can be done via phone or in person. Crisis Team Member or building support staff should follow up with student and parent/guardian within the next 24 hours. Document and inform building administrator of all actions taken. 10

14 Procedure for attempted suicide: Call 911 and explain that an attempted suicide has occurred. Call the Emergency Communications Center and update them. Call parent or guardian to inform them that here was a suicide attempt and the student was taken to the emergency department. A school staff person should accompany the student to the hospital and meet the parent or guardian there. Follow up with the family within 24 hours to provide support and if applicable, offer any additional information pertaining to the incident. Document and inform building administrator of all actions taken. Emergency 911 Office of Security & Emergency Management SPPD Non Emergency

15 Mental Health Resources Mental Health Crisis Resources: Children s Crisis Response Ramsey County Adult Mental Health Crisis Crisis Connection Suicide Prevention - Hennepin County Other Resources: United Way or Sexual Offense Services Ramsey County Outpatient Mental Health Services: American Indian Family Center Canvas Health CLUES Face to Face Health & Counseling Center Project Assist Su Familia Multicultural Counseling Thad Wilderson & Associates Wilder Child Guidance ***If the student has medical insurance, calling the member services number on the back of the card is an effective way to obtain options for outpatient mental health services that are covered by their insurance. Inpatient & Partial Programs in the St. Paul Area: Allina Assessment & Northwestern Child & Adolescent Partial Abbott Northwestern Assessment & United Hospital Mental Health Services for Adults & United University of MN Medical Center, Fairview Behavioral Emergency Local Hospitals: Abbott Children s Fairview Regions United Employee Assistance Program: Sand Creek Employee Assistance Program or

16 Crisis Support Team Exit Report (To be completed by Crisis Support Team Members) Day of Event: School: Administrator Present: Provide a list of students &staff who participated in support activities. Briefly describe the crisis support activities of the day. Generally and briefly, describe the participants reactions surrounding this event. Be sure to include information that may affect student or building safety after today. As you depart, are there any students or staff of particular concern who may require or benefit from care after today? What follow up do you suggest for the building staff? Please leave a copy of these exit notes with the building administration. Please send a copy of these exit notes to Bev Dushaw, FAX: