Situation Description

A crisis is defined as a death or other traumatic event involving a student or staff member due to an accident, community violence, suicide, homicide, illness, natural disaster, or terrorism that interrupts the normal day-to-day functioning of the school. The Central Crisis Team (CCT) is comprised of social workers and psychologists from schools and DMH who have advanced training and expertise in crisis management.

Each school has a School Crisis Team (SCT) comprised of the principal, assistant principal(s), school counselor(s), health assistant and/or nurse, school psychologist, and social worker, as applicable. One of these team members should be identified as the SCT chairperson. School-based teams provide prevention information, intervention, and support to school staff, students, and parents during and in the aftermath of a crisis or traumatic event. This team is also responsible for deciding if additional support is needed from the CCT.