Comprehensive Planning for Safe Learning Environments: A School Professional's Guide to Integrating Physical and Psychological Safety – Prevention through Recovery(School-Based Practice in Action)

This book provides school administrators, school-based mental health professionals, and other educational professionals with the framework and tools needed to establish a comprehensive safe learning environment. The authors identify four necessary phases to achieve this (prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery) and provide numerous examples and tools to help readers create safe environments, while also addressing students’ academic, emotional, and social needs. An emphasis is placed on the importance of the balance between physical and psychological safety within a multi-tiered framework - it is not enough for students to know their school is secure; they must also feel they are safe and can turn to their teachers and school-based mental health professionals with their concerns. Aaccompanying downloadable resources contain several valuable resources, such as forms, handouts, articles, and monitoring tools.

Table of Contents:
Part I: Establishing a Safe School Climate. Introduction and Overview to Establishing a Safe School. Obtaining Support from Key Stakeholders. Part II: Physical Safety: Multi-hazards Prevention and Preparedness. Integrating a Multi-hazards Approach to Establish a Safe Learning Environment. Establishing an Effective School Crisis Plan. Monitoring Crisis Planning and Preparation. Part III: Psychological Safety: Multi-level Prevention and Intervention. Universal Prevention and Preparedness. Early and Targeted Interventions. Managing Risky Behaviors and Intensive Interventions. Crisis Management and Recovery Efforts.

About the Author :
Melissa A. Reeves, Ph.D., is an Adjunct Lecturer in the Department of Psychology at Winthrop University. Prior to this she was a School Psychologist and Coordinator of Social/Emotional/Behvioral Serrvices in the Cherry Creek School District. She has authored or co-authored numerous articles and book chapters. Amy Elizabeth Plog, Ph.D., is the Director of Research for Creating Caring Communites. She has previously as a Program Evaluation Advisor and a Research and Data Coordinator in the Cherry Creek School District. Linda M. Kanan, Ph.D., is an Intervention Coordinator in the Cherry Creek School District. She is also a member and chair of the Safe Schools Design Team. Dr. Kanan has held teaching positions at the University of Northern Colorado, the University of Colorado at Denver, and the University of Denver.

Review :
This is a very practical, helpful, and comprehensive road map to better ensuring safe and supportive school environments. The authors have effectively translated their many years of practical experience into a book that anyone interested in promoting school safety will find most helpful. It is my sincere hope that all school leaders will read this book. Stephen E. Brock, PhD, NCSP, Professor and Coordinator of the School Psychology Training Program, California State University, Sacramento I have been working in the school crisis and safety field for over 25 years and this is one of the best resources that I have seen. The collective wisdom and experience of the authors and their extensive literature review has provided excellent insight and guidance in the most critical area for schools. I highly recommend all school administrators and support personnel get a copy. Scott Poland, PhD, Associate Professor, Nova Southeastern University; founding member of the National Emergency Assistance Team; former NASP President "...an excellent resource...this book is unique in that all three authors spent time working in the Cherry Creek School District in Colorado either during or immediately after the Columbine shooting and all played a part in establishing crisis plans in light of that tragedy. This book is essential for mapping out a balanced and comprehensive crisis plan that covers prevention, preparedness, response and recovery...Comprehensive Planning for Safe Learning Environments is a vital read for any administrator or student services staff member concerned with student safety. The authors of this book note that preparing for crises and promoting safe learning environments requires "leadership, commitment, direction and planning." While it is up to the school administrator to provide the former two behaviors, this book practically guides the reader through the latter two, step by step." - Ashley E. Ausikaitis, Illinois School Psychologists Association "...an excellent resource...this book is unique in that all three authors spent time working in the Cherry Creek School District in Colorado either during or immediately after the Columbine shooting and all played a part in establishing crisis plans in light of that tragedy. This book is essential for mapping out a balanced and comprehensive crisis plan that covers prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery...the CD that comes with the book provides a wealth of guidance toward creating school procedures that student services staff can use immediately. Comprehensive Planning for Safe Learning Environments is a vital read for any administrator or student services staff member concerned with student safety. The authors of this book mote that preparing for crises and promoting safe learning environments requires "leadership, commitment, direction, and planning." While it is up to the school professional to provide the former two behaviors, this book practically guides the reader through the latter two, step by step." - Ashley E. Ausikaitis, in NASP Communique