Technical Assistance in Developing the WV School Mental Health Crisis Plan
advertisement
Technical Assistance in Developing the WV School Mental Health Crisis Plan Krystal Stollings, M.A., Ed.S., NCSP Director of School Psychological Services Boone County Schools Jodie Akers Director of Student Services Upshur County Schools Jeffery Harvey, MSSL Preparedness Division Manager (JH Consulting) on behalf of Upshur County Schools Importance of Planning for an Emergency or Crisis Emergencies of all shapes and sizes occur in schools daily Emergencies or crises have significant impact on students, faculty, parents and community: Physical Emotional Educational Effective planning will reduce the level of chaos that occurs during an emergency and will enable students to return to normalcy quicker 7 P’s: “Prior Proper Planning Prevents Pitifully Poor Performance” Slide information provided by Dr. Barbara Brady, WVDE Impact of Trauma on Learning By ignoring the emotional impact of trauma or if practices are inappropriate in crisis response a system can actually re-traumatize students and school staff (secondary trauma). Slide information provided by Dr. Barbara Brady, WVDE Code and Policy Requirements WVBE Policy 2315: Comprehensive School Counseling Programs 5.1.c. Responsive Services (Crisis Prevention and Response) The school counselor collaborates with stakeholders to create a schoolwide, prevention-based approach to individual and school crises and has a crisis plan in place to address the mental health component of common school-wide crises. Outline responsibilities and best practices to address school-wide crisis Preparedness Prevention Intervention Response Slide information provided by Dr. Barbara Brady, WVDE Slide information provided by Dr. Barbara Brady, WVDE Crisis Planning considerations… 4 Phases: Preparedness Prevention Response Recovery Slide information provided by Dr. Barbara Brady, WVDE PREPAREDNESS A continuous cycle of planning, organizing, training, equipping, exercising, evaluating, and taking corrective action in an effort to ensure effective coordination during incident response. Source: USDHS. (December, 2008). National Incident Management System. Washington, D.C. PREPAREDNESS Preparing in case there is a crisis Consist of several steps Creating a mental health crisis team Each county and school will appoint 1-2 school staff (usually the school counselor) to form and coordinate a mental health crisis planning team (MHCPT) as a subcommittee of the school crisis team. Regular meetings Developing protocols and guidelines for Prevention Response Recovery Scheduling exercises and drills Considerations for vulnerable populations Training (crisis team and staff members) Slide information provided by Dr. Barbara Brady, WVDE PREPAREDNESS Action Steps Identify and involve stakeholders Consider existing efforts Determine what crises the plan will address Define roles and responsibilities Develop methods for communicating with the staff, students, families and the media Practice Slide information provided by Dr. Barbara Brady, WVDE PREVENTION Prevent, avoid or stop an imminent, threatened or actual act. Definition adapted from www.fema.gov/national-preparedness-goal PREVENTION Reducing incidents and managing behaviors before they escalate Providing a safe and nurturing environment Prevent problems (4373) – Teach/model expected behaviors (2315) Prevention –based programs Respond as soon as problems are identified Slide information provided by Dr. Barbara Brady, WVDE PREVENTION School-wide, tiered model approach Positive Behavior Support Programs Expanded School Mental Health Comprehensive School Counseling Programs Bullying Prevention Programs Collaborative Delivery of the Student Success Standards (healthy student development) Staff Development(PBIS, ESMH, Mental Health First Aid, Suicide prevention anger management, bullying prevention, trauma-informed schools, stages of grief, etc.) Slide information provided by Dr. Barbara Brady, WVDE RESPONSE Respond quickly to save lives, protect property and the environment, and meet basic human needs in the aftermath of an incident. Definition adapted from www.fema.gov/national-preparedness-goal RESPONSE Protect safety Address immediate and short-term needs Support students, staff, and parents Reduce distress and foster adaptive coping Assist with short-term decision making Restoring equilibrium Identify students and staff who need follow-up during the recovery phase Connect students, staff and families with resources Each county and school should have a School Mental Health Crisis Response Team (WVSMHCRT) ready to respond in the event of a crisis that is trained in crisis triage and mental health interventions. (calm/nurture) Slide information provided by Dr. Barbara Brady, WVDE RESPONSE Incident response process can be broken down into three stages: 1. Triage: The main objective during triage is to reaffirm physical health and ensure perception of safety. 2. Evaluation is a process used through the entire event of crisis response. The SMHCRT constantly evaluates victims and responders’ level of psychological risk (low, moderate, high) and appropriate interventions chosen by the individual school. 3. Response Interventions: appropriate interventions are used for each level of risk for psychological trauma. **pg. 6 of Addressing Mental Health in Crisis Prevention & Response: A Resource Guide for WV Schools RESPONSE Level of Risks: a. Low Risk interventions are used to re-establish social support which includes psycho-education (caregiver training). b. Moderate Risk interventions to re-establish social support, include caregiver training and psycho-education groups, and immediate Psychological First Aid (PFA) or other mental health intervention chosen by the individual school. c. High Risk interventions to re-establish social support, include caregiver training and psycho-education groups, immediate Psychological First Aid (PFA) or other mental health intervention chosen by the individual school, and referrals to long-term psychotherapy. **pg. 6 of Addressing Mental Health in Crisis Prevention & Response: A Resource Guide for WV Schools RESPONSE High risk or at risk populations include those who: Had direct exposure or extreme life threat; Were injured Experienced death or serious injury of a love one; Had close personal relationship with any victim(s); Have history of depression or suicidal thoughts or attempts; Have history of shyness or low self-confidence; Have a history of risk-taking behavior; and Have experienced prior traumatic events are at current risk, includingthose exposed to community violence of domestic violence; those with a history of abuse and/or neglect; war or other refugees; those from economically disadvantaged groups; medically vulnerable individuals; those from disaster prone regions. **pg. 7 of Addressing Mental Health in Crisis Prevention & Response: A Resource Guide for WV Schools RESPONSE Special Considerations-Crisis response interventions may need to be adapted for students with disabilities or other impairments. Different disabilities that may need special considerations: Autism, Learning Disabilities, Speech Impairment, Cognitive Impairment, Emotional Disturbance, Orthopedic Impairment, Hearing Impairment, Visual Impairment, Other Health Impairment (diabetes, epilepsy, asthma, etc.) **pg. 7 of Addressing Mental Health in Crisis Prevention & Response: A Resource Guide for WV Schools RESPONSE What types of trauma do you want to consider and address in your School Mental Health Response Plan? Community Violence Medical Trauma Refugee and War Zone Trauma Complex Trauma Natural Disaster School Violence Domestic Violence Neglect Sexual Abuse Early Childhood Trauma Physical Abuse Terrorism Traumatic Grief RESPONSE **pg. 11 of Addressing Mental Health in Crisis Prevention & Response: A Resource Guide for WV Schools RECOVERY Recover through a focus on timely restoration, strengthening and revitalization of infrastructure, housing and a sustainable economy, as well as the health, social, cultural, historic and environmental fabric of communities affected by an incident. Definition adapted from www.fema.gov/national-preparedness-goal RECOVERY Restoring the social and emotional equilibrium of the school community Promote positive coping skills and resilience It is essential to understand recovery at two levels: immediate and ongoing. Recovery support needed will vary Age/gender, degree of direct exposure to violence, death or injury of a friend or family member, previous traumatic life experiences, and pre-existing history of anxiety and depression. Work to maintain routines and social activity Slide information provided by Dr. Barbara Brady, WVDE RECOVERY Involve local resources (law enforcement, emergency service personnel, faith-based Referrals to mental health and other agencies Post-event planning … i.e. event anniversary Schools need to keep students, families, and the media informed. Let families and other community members know what support services the schools are providing or what other community resources are available. Provide ongoing assessment of emotional needs of staff, students, and families. Arrange for appropriate interventions by school or community-based service providers. organizations, community service organizations) **pg. 13 of Addressing Mental Health in Crisis Prevention & Response: A Resource Guide for WV Schools RECOVERY Available services need to be identified for families, who may want to seek treatment for their children or themselves. Remember anniversaries of crises. Many occasions will remind staff, students, and families about crises. Trauma experts discourage memorials to suicide victims to avoid glorification and sensationalization of these deaths. Conduct daily debriefings for staff and others assisting in recovery. Debriefings help staff cope with their own feelings of vulnerability. **pg. 13-14 of Addressing Mental Health in Crisis Prevention & Response: A Resource Guide for WV Schools Establishing a School Mental Health Crisis Team The School Mental Health Crisis team (SMHCT) is a subgroup of each WV school’s primary school crisis team. WVBE Policy 2315: Comprehensive School Counseling Programs sets forth requirements for a SMHCT and identifies the School Counselor as the primary coordinator for SMHCT. **pg. 22 of Addressing Mental Health in Crisis Prevention & Response: A Resource Guide for WV Schools Boone County School Mental Health Crisis Response Information Boone County Schools Collaborative Approach to the WVSMHC Template Monthly School Counselor Meetings 2nd Monday of every month Secondary School Counselors 9:00-11:00 am Elementary School Counselors 1:00-3:00 pm November: Draft copy of WV School Mental Health Crisis Plan Template was created using resources previously available and those mentioned in the Addressing Mental Health in Crisis Prevention & Response: A Resource guide for WV Schools guidance document. School Counselors and psychologists decided which crises to prepare for. Please see available documents that played an integral role for development. Boone County Schools Collaborative Approach to the WVSMHC Template December: WV School Mental Health Crisis Plan Template reviewed with school counselors for revisions, amendments, and suggestions. January-June: Ongoing reviews, updates, meetings, enhancements, improvements, etc. Recommended that school counselors conduct the WV School Mental Health Planning Team meeting following the schools Crisis Response Team meeting to review information. The schools’ Crisis Reponses Team is expected to meet once every nine weeks. Additionally, School Counselors to create a sign-in sheet to document team member attendance. Let’s Review an Example….. Please refer to handouts. Boone County Schools WV Mental Health Crisis Plan: Resources Boone County Schools: Emergency Management Resource Guide WV School Mental Health Crisis Template and Addressing Mental Health in Crisis Prevention & Response: A Resource guide for WV Schools document. Annually Updated School Counselor and Psychologist contact list. Annually Updated Crisis Counseling Intervention Team Assignment Schedule Crisis Counseling Kit Crisis Counseling Response Team Resource Guide Crisis Counseling Kit Other items included in Crisis Counseling Resource Guide Disclosure Scripts Sample Parent Communication Letter Fill-in-the-Blank or Canned/Scripted Messages Copy of WV School Mental Health Crisis Plan Copy of Respective School Crisis Plan HANDOUTS for school staff and parents regarding the following issues: Death and Grief Suicide: Postvention Strategies for School Personnel Memorial Activities and Traumatic Events: Guidelines for Educators Crisis: Helping Children Cope with Grief and Loss http://www.samhsa.gov/ Is a wonderful place for free resources!!!! Proposed Enhancements and Improvements: Create Methodical Reunification procedures Document: Standard reunification Method from the “I Love U Guys” foundation Conduct and offer more Psychological First Aid trainings Update annually utilizing a county-wide collaborative model WV Mental Health Crisis Plan is always a working and living document! Update and audit Crisis Counseling Kits Proposed Enhancements and Improvements: Include and add more crisis-specific information to Crisis Counseling Kit Network with neighboring school systems to see if and how we can access their counselors/psychologists in case a large-scale crisis occurs requiring the response of more professionals Conduct county-wide Crisis Mental Health forum inviting community stakeholders for a more systematic approach WVDHHR Local Mental Health Providers WV Disaster Behavioral Health Response Coordinator American Red Cross Law Enforcement EMT Upshur County School Mental Health Crisis Response Information Upshur County Schools Collaborative Approach to the WVSMHC Template Mental Health Inclusions in Overall Crisis Response Planning Counselors included as chain of command members at schools. Counselors, psychologists, and community service providers invited to participate in bi-annual countywide emergency planning committee workshops. Counselors included as members of crisis response planning teams at schools; these committees meet monthly. November: Counselors and psychologists started with the existing F.A.C.T.S. manual; began revising manual for consistency with WVSMHC template. Existing manual identified the existing mental planning team and was comprised of call trees and operational resources. School counselors and psychologists provided operational resources for addition as appendices. December: Upshur County’s SMHCP reviewed and submitted to WVDE. On-Going: Counselor participation in drills and trainings. Summer Months: All crisis response plans (including mental health plans) collected and updated. Plans are re-distributed at the start of the next school year. Upshur County Schools F.A.C.T.S. Plan Contents Upshur County Schools Mental Health Crisis Plan Resources Identifying Severely Traumatized Children: Tips for Parents and Educators Memorials: Special Considerations When Memorializing an Incident Preventing Suicide in Troubled Children and Youth Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers Responding to Natural Disasters: Helping Children and Families (Information for School Crisis Teams) Youth Gun Violence Fact Sheet Responsible Media Coverage of Crisis Events Impacting Children Questions? Suggestions? Feedback? Krystal Stollings kstollings@k12.wv.us (304) 369-8278
