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SAFE AND SOUND SCHOOLS

Crisis Response in Schools: Thinking Before, During, and After


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Crisis Response in Schools: Thinking Before, During, and After 

Our school safety efforts center on preventing and preparing for a wide range of threats and hazards, while balancing both physical and psychological safety. This work is grounded in a district’s emergency operations plan and spans the mission areas of prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery. 


An equally critical part of school comprehensive school safety is how we respond to acute traumatic events and support students impacted by such an event. Within this bigger picture, school crisis response and intervention teams provide guidance and support to help students cope, problem-solve, and regain stability after a crisis. 

To be effective and efficient, these teams and team leaders must think about crisis response through a before, during, and after lens. 


To build sustainable and effective school safety and response frameworks, each phase of a crisis must be addressed with equal intention. How crisis teams navigate an event and successfully return a school to a safe, supportive learning environment is tied to how well they prepare across all three phases. 


As we enter the New Year, this is a valuable time for teams and team leaders to reflect on their crisis intervention practices and consider practical ways to strengthen their work across each phase. 


Before: Preparation 

Preparation is the work that often goes unseen but it is essential. 


This phase begins with the relationships built across the larger incident command structure and how teams collaborate when called into action. Understanding how school crisis intervention teams fit within a school’s emergency operations plan allows schools to fully leverage the strength of a multidisciplinary approach. Different perspectives, roles, and expertise come together to support a coordinated and effective response. Strong relationships and teamwork built before a crisis are invaluable when challenges arise. 


In addition to relationships, ongoing training and readiness are critical. Teams must be well-versed in procedures and protocols, as well as fluent in evidence-based practices for supporting students. The goal is to empower every team member to respond confidently and lead where they stand. 


This groundwork allows school crisis teams and schools to respond from a place of care, coordination, and competence rather than chaos. 


During: Execution 

The during phase is where preparation moves into action. In a crisis, there is no time for a dress rehearsal. 


Teams and leaders rely on what they have practiced - the protocols, skills, and trust they have built together. As they respond, teams work with school staff to triage the event, assess the impact on students, and deliver appropriate interventions based on demonstrated need. 


Clear planning and meaningful practice lead to stronger response and, ultimately, more effective and efficient responses. 


Because crises rarely unfold exactly as anticipated, the confidence built beforehand allows team members to step forward, adapt quickly, and make sound decisions in real time. When moments matter most, preparedness makes the difference. 


After: Recovery and Reflection 

Crisis events often leave lingering effects that may impact students days, weeks, months and sometimes years after the event has passed. When a crisis team leaves, the crisis may not be over for every student. 


Teams should be prepared to continue monitoring needs, providing ongoing support, and coordinating with community partners as appropriate. Just as important, teams should take time to reflect and review their response by asking: 


  • What went well? 

  • What challenges did we face, and how did we overcome them? 

  • What can we improve or strengthen for future responses? 


This examination is a key part of effective crisis response. Ultimately, crisis teams exist to serve student needs during crisis events, and each experience presents an opportunity to learn and grow stronger. 


Support following a crisis helps build safer schools and stronger teams over time. 


Looking Ahead 

That is why Safe and Sound Schools is excited to begin offering PREPaRE a curriculum that helps multidisciplinary teams think more holistically about prevention, response, and recovery, and how they can work together effectively. From mental health professionals and educators to administrators, school resource officers, and support staff, expanding safety fluency across roles pays off for schools, teams, and most importantly, students. 


Learn More


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