Crisis ResponseChild Abuse Considerations March 19, 2013

Kevin R. Gogin, MFTSchool Health Programs

Goals: Increase knowledge of Crisis ResponseIncrease understanding of SFUSD Crisis Response ManualIncrease knowledge of available resourcesIncrease school site capacity to respond to a crisis

Crisis Response Training

A reaction to or perception of an event which causes psychological trauma to students and/or staff and requires immediate action because of disruption to the education process. School Crisis

Intervention to restore a school and community to base line functioning and to help prevent or minimize damaging psychological results following a crisis situation.

Crisis Response I

Helping students and staff return toprevious emotional equilibrium.

If ignored, some emotional responses maybecome internalized and exhibit themselvesin unusual behaviors.Crisis Response II

Who is on the school team?

What are the possible CRT roles?Team Leader Media Contact PersonDebriefing LeadParents/Caregivers/Community LeadBuilding/Grounds LeadSchool Crisis Response Team

Where is the school CRM?

Who is responsible for the CRM?

CRM Table of ContentsA. General OverviewB. Crisis Response TeamC. Death, Dying and LossD. Assault/HarassmentE. SuicideF. Physical DisasterG. Classroom or After-School Support ActivitiesH. School Site Professional DevelopmentI. ResourcesCrisis Response Manual (CRM)

Call Police: 911. Verify the facts regarding the crisis. Notify appropriate Instructional Support and Operations Office. Contact Office.Contact Office of Public Engagement if necessary. Convene School Site Crisis Response Team and review duties.Prepare formal statement to inform faculty/staff.Convene emergency Staff Meeting to inform faculty, counselors, building support staff. Review and distribute Debrief Exercise and Information Sheet to teachers. Prepare formal statement for students (NEVER announce a crisis over the Intercom System or at a school assembly). Distribute Community Resources Lists as needed.Etc., Etc. Review checklist in manual. Crisis Response Checklist Some possible responses to a crisis

Work with administration to facilitate a smooth response to the crisis situation

Assist in developing the plan to inform the school community

Inform teachers and staff

What is the Process?

Help construct the Classroom Crisis Response Discussion:

Letter format, with discussion to follow in classroom settings. All classes implement the plan at the same time.

Informing Students

Assist with notifying parents/caregivers

This may entail a parent meeting

Always send a letter home as soon as possible

Always inform as soon as possible: Clarify need to know versus want to know information

Tell the truth

What to do when limits are placed on sharing informationInforming the Community

You are the expert in crisis response at your site.

There may be occasions when outside assistance is helpful.

Call 242-2615, ask for the NODAccessing Outside Assistance

Crisis Response is not psychotherapyCrisis Response is a structured discussion of a traumatic eventModel Calm and Optimistic BehaviorGoals: Mitigate the impactAssist to return to previous state of functioningProvide comfortProvide resources

Key Concepts in Crisis Response

Site Resources: Wellness Program LSPSchool CounselorsCommunity Based OrganizationsSchool NurseParent Liaison InternsFor Technical Assistance:Crisis Response Manual Nurse of the Day (School Health Programs Department)Child Crisis Services via nurse of the day or SHPD

Crisis Response Resources

Child Abuse Considerations

Who Is A Mandated Reporter?

All SFUSD employees are mandated reporters of child abuse/neglect. Anyone who has reason to suspect child abuse or neglect is responsible for making a report to Childrens Emergency Services (CES), also known as Child Protective Services (CPS), as soon as possible. The duty of the mandated reporter is to report suspected child abuse, not to investigate.

Child Abuse Reporting

What is Child Abuse?

California Child Abuse Reporting Law (Penal Code 11165 and 11166) states that when the victim is a person under the age of 18, the following types of abuse must be reported by all legally mandated reporters:

Child Abuse Reporting

Physical Abuse:Any act which results in a physical injury which is inflicted by other than accidental means (Penal Code, II 165.6). Willful cruelty, unjustified punishment, and discipline which is excessive or a result of uncontrolled anger are also reportable.

Child Abuse Reporting

Sexual Abuse: A sexual assault or sexual exploitation of a person under 18Neglect: Consists of a parents or caretakers refusal or inability to provide food, shelter, clothing, adequate supervision, or medical careacts which harm or threaten to harm the childs health or welfare (Penal Code 11 165.2)Child Abuse Reporting

How to report: Any employee who has reasonable suspicion that a child is being abused must call the CES/CPS reporting line.

A Verbal report should be made by calling: (415) 558-2650 or (800) 856-5553

A Written report, using Suspected Child Abuse Report form (SS8572-11166PC), must be submitted within 36 hours of the verbal report.

Child Abuse Reporting

AND Always:

Consult

Consult

Consult

Child Abuse Reporting

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