Crisis Management

The Crisis Management Plan provides a procedure for the Crisis Management Team at each facility to follow in the event of a disastrous situation (i.e., emergency, death of staff and/or students). The procedures help guide the team with how to deal with the aftermath of this disastrous situation (i.e., communication of the situation, handling staff and student emotional and physical needs).

Each facility in the WDMCS reviews its Crisis Management Plan yearly with their staff. Each facility has a site coordinator (i.e., building principal, staff member) and a Crisis/Emergency Team. Staff training includes a review of the plan and the roles of the members of the Crisis Management Team.

The following may occur in response to a disastrous situation or tragedy:

• Inform the staff. Designate procedures and locations for staff to obtain support.
• In consultation with the Crisis Coordinator, set up services and/or continue on-site assistance. Inform students and staff of services available to them. Make referrals to outside resources as necessary.
• Communicate with parents if appropriate.
• Continue to have counselor(s) available to help students and/or staff to resume a regular schedule.
• Coordinate other arrangements as necessary.
• Evaluate and assess the response process.
• Be aware of anniversary dates of disastrous events and tragedies.

The roles of the Crisis Managment Team are:

• Building Crisis Coordinator - serves as the leader of the team.
• Student Services Coordinator - coordinates counseling and other services for students.
• Staff Services Coordinator - coordinates counseling and other services to deal with staff reactions.
• Communication Coordinator - assists in the information and awareness communication to families, etc.
• Crisis Services Team - building counselor(s), nurses and other trained personnel as appropriate to deliver direct services to students, staff and families.