Roles of Key Responders in a Crisis Situation

Introduction

A crisis is described as an obstacle that is for a time, insurmountable by the use of customary methods of problem solving (as cited, p.2; Kanel, 2015). Simply put, a crisis is an upset to the steady state of the individual. There are four parts to a crisis (1) precipitating events occur; (2) a person has a perceptiono f the event as threatening or damaging; (3) the perception leads to emotional distress; and (4) the emotional distress leads to impairment in functioning due to failure of the individual’s usual coping methods in previously have prevented a crisis from occurring (Kanel, 2015) School Counselors have professional training in crisis response. A school counselor serves as a leader in safe school initiatives and a vital resource in the creation, development, and implementation of response plans before, during, and after a crisis (ASCA.org). Counselors work with principals and each school has a school crisis response team. A school crisis response team determines which crisis events are likely to require or benefit from a team response (ovc.gov).

School Professional - Principal Verotta Means Kennedy

Title 1 is a Federal Program that assists schools with funds that help with intervention staff, summer school, parent involvement activities, student field trips, reading, before and after school tutoring programs, student incentives, and teacher professional development. Title I also provides high percentage of free/reduced lunch programs of students at this school through Federal funding.

Anticipated Learning from Interview

Collaboration with Stakeholders

Part 2: Role of the School Counselor and specific responsibilities on how a school counselor collaborates with the internal and external stakeholders in crisis intervention, prevention, and management.

The role a school counselor plays in managing crisis will vary from state to state, district to district, and in some cases school to school (James & Gilliland 2013). Professional school counselors are certified/licensed educators with the minimum of a master’s degree in school counseling and are qualified to address the developmental needs of all students through comprehensive school counseling programs addressing the academic, career, and personal/social development of all students (as cited ASCA.org). School counselors’ roles are vital in preventing violence incidents, intervening when concerns arise about potential violence and responding when violence occurs (ASCA National Model). School counselors help with the stress of students and staff. Counselors are leaders who implement comprehensive school counseling programs that focus on student outcomes, and teach students competencies (ASCA.org). School counselors incorporate organizational assessments and tools that are concrete,