Toward Successful School Crisis Intervention: 9 Key Issues

About the Book

"Of major importance to everyone involved in education. This quick-reference guide will help educators plan for a crisis before it happens."
-Sharon Roemer, Principal
Ocean View Elementary School, Arroyo Grande, CA

"The author is an experienced crisis intervener and has a refreshing, conversational tone."
-Michael Pines, School Mental Health/Crisis Intervention Consultant
Los Angeles County Office of Education, CA

Before tragedy strikes, make sure your intervention team is prepared.

Despite their best and frequently heroic efforts, school crisis intervention teams often find themselves unprepared for the many types of tragedies they face. This timely text prompts crisis intervention team members to reevaluate their beliefs and practices and consider a new approach to dealing with school crises.

Author Charles M. Jaksec III, a longtime school social worker and crisis intervention team member, draws upon his extensive experience in discussing nine critical issues. Rather than serving as a step-by-step plan for responding to a crisis, these nine topics encourage readers to examine their approach to crises before they happen. An ideal book study for those involved in crisis prevention and intervention, this concise guide demonstrates how to meet the needs of all school member-students, educators, and noninstructional staff-and offers:

• Illustrative vignettes with every chapter
• Helpful tips for team members
• Discussion questions to guide reflection and action

Arm your team with the knowledge it needs to proactively and effectively prepare for a school crisis.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments About the Author Introduction 1. The Responsibility for School Crisis Intervention: Whose Job Is This, Anyway? Who Should Provide Crisis Intervention? Reasons for Reluctance Eager to Help But Unprepared Helpful Tips Questions for Discussion 2. Necessary Attributes and Abilities for Team Members: What Does It Take? Attributes for Handling a Crisis Abilities in Handling a Crisis Helpful Tips Questions for Discussion 3. Training of School Crisis Intervention Team Members: Going to War Without a Weapon? When Training Is Inadequate How Are School Crisis Interventionists Prepared? Preservice Training Inservice Professional Development Tips for Training Inadequately Prepared School Crisis Intervention Teams Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Training Helpful Tips Questions for Discussion 4. Logistical School Crisis Response: The Overlooked Intervention Organized Response Is the Difference Between Sucess and Failure Developing a Logistical Plan of Action Helpful Tips Questions for Discussion 5. Determining the Impact of a Crisis: How Big Will the Bang Be? Looking Before You Leap Assessing Impact Variables Determining the Scope of the Crisis Awareness of the Number of Crises a School Has Suffered Availability of Support Staff Location and Time of the Crisis The Immediacy of the Crisis Identifying Who Has Been Affected by the Crisis Three Critical Questions to Address Impact Effectively Helpful Tips Questions for Discussion 6. Non-School-Based Crisis Intervention Teams: Districts and Schools Working Together The Make Up of District-Level Teams Advantages and Disadvantages of District-Level Crisis Intervention Teams Three Guidelines for Non-School-Based/District Crisis Teams Helpful Tips Questions for Discussion 7. Teachers: The Overlooked Interventionists What Prevents Teacher Involvement in Crisis Intervention? The Provision of In-Class Crisis Intervention The Case for Teachers as Crisis Interventionists Administrative Steps for Teacher Inclusion in Crisis Intervention Activities Helpful Tips Questions for Discussion 8. Did We Forget Anyone? Addressing the Needs of Every Staff Member Why Faculty Members Don′t Always Receive Support Helpful Tips Questions for Discussion 9. Primary Prevention: Preparing for Crises Before They Happen The First Level of Intervention Is Prevention Why Don′t Schools Usually Engage in Primary Prevention? The Benefits of Primary Prevention Misconceptions About a Preventive Approach Looking Forward Helpful Tips Questions for Discussion Conclusion Resources Common Questions and Helpful Answers About Group Counseling Sessions References

About the Author :
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.

Review :
"An important topic for everyone involved in education. This quick reference guide will help educators plan for a crisis before it happens." "The author is an experienced crisis intervener and the book has a refreshing, conversational tone." "Written by a longtime school social worker and crisis intervention team member who uses this experience to address nine topics readers can use to manage crises. Perfect for teachers and educator administrators alike." "Merits the attention of a wide array of school-based professionals because it provides sound information in a user-friendly manner. Thought-provoking discussion questions are available, making this book a resource for the training of interventionists as well as for strengthening existing crisis plans." "An invaluable tool for staff and faculty members who make up institutional crisis committees as well as those who are the first-line defense against crises that are a reality in our schools."