Toward Successful School Crisis Intervention

Charles M. Jaksec III has served as a school social worker in The Hillsborough County School District for 21 years and has been a member of the district’s crisis intervention team for 18 years. He serves as the chairperson of the district’s Bullying Committee and is a member of the district’s Violence Prevention Committee. Jaksec is the author of The Difficult Parent: An Educator’s Guide to Handling Aggressive Behaviors (Corwin Press 2004) and The Confrontational Parent: A Practical Guide for School Leaders (Eye On Education, Inc. 2003). He speaks nationally and locally on the topics of school crisis intervention and parental aggression. Jaksec has a master’s degree in counseling services from Slippery Rock University, and an educational specialist degree in counselor education and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of South Florida.

• AcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorIntroduction1. The Responsibility for School Crisis Intervention: Whose Job Is This, Anyway?Who Should Provide Crisis Intervention?Reasons for ReluctanceEager to Help But UnpreparedHelpful TipsQuestions for Discussion2. Necessary Attributes and Abilities for Team Members: What Does It Take?Attributes for Handling a CrisisAbilities in Handling a CrisisHelpful TipsQuestions for Discussion3. Training of School Crisis Intervention Team Members: Going to War Without a Weapon?When Training Is InadequateHow Are School Crisis Interventionists Prepared?Preservice TrainingInservice Professional DevelopmentTips for Training Inadequately Prepared School Crisis Intervention TeamsEvaluating the Effectiveness of the TrainingHelpful TipsQuestions for Discussion4. Logistical School Crisis Response: The Overlooked InterventionOrganized Response Is the Difference Between Sucess and FailureDeveloping a Logistical Plan of ActionHelpful TipsQuestions for Discussion5. Determining the Impact of a Crisis: How Big Will the Bang Be?Looking Before You LeapAssessing Impact VariablesDetermining the Scope of the CrisisAwareness of the Number of Crises a School Has SufferedAvailability of Support StaffLocation and Time of the CrisisThe Immediacy of the CrisisIdentifying Who Has Been Affected by the CrisisThree Critical Questions to Address Impact EffectivelyHelpful TipsQuestions for Discussion6. Non-School-Based Crisis Intervention Teams: Districts and Schools Working TogetherThe Make Up of District-Level TeamsAdvantages and Disadvantages of District-Level Crisis Intervention TeamsThree Guidelines for Non-School-Based/District Crisis TeamsHelpful TipsQuestions for Discussion7. Teachers: The Overlooked InterventionistsWhat Prevents Teacher Involvement in Crisis Intervention?The Provision of In-Class Crisis InterventionThe Case for Teachers as Crisis InterventionistsAdministrative Steps for Teacher Inclusion in Crisis Intervention ActivitiesHelpful TipsQuestions for Discussion8. Did We Forget Anyone? Addressing the Needs of Every Staff MemberWhy Faculty Members Don′t Always Receive SupportHelpful TipsQuestions for Discussion9. Primary Prevention: Preparing for Crises Before They HappenThe First Level of Intervention Is PreventionWhy Don′t Schools Usually Engage in Primary Prevention?The Benefits of Primary PreventionMisconceptions About a Preventive ApproachLooking ForwardHelpful TipsQuestions for DiscussionConclusionResourcesCommon Questions and Helpful Answers About Group Counseling SessionsReferences

"An important topic for everyone involved in education. This quick reference guide will help educators plan for a crisis before it happens."