9 Reasons Why Your School Needs a Crisis Team

Lack of Documentation

When crisis response is not well organized, recordkeeping about the response is usually poor. Even when appropriate action has been taken, there may be no way to document this later for administrators, regulators, local or state government, or the greater community. This failure to document will limit the ability to obtain financial reimbursement for allowable expenses. There is also no way to evaluate what has been done for continuous improvement purposes.

Unintentional Bias

Without clear guidance and an understanding of current leading practices, people tend to focus on what they believe works well. Their own reference may not be the best choice for all students. For example, one school concerned about safety issues after a school shooting hired additional uniformed school safety officers to patrol the campus. However, because of recent local conflicts between police and communities of color, students of color actually felt more, rather than less, threatened.

Inefficiencies and Overlooked Needs

Without a clearly planned response, actions tend to be directed toward obvious areas of need. Important steps may be missed, while others are duplicated. For example, two people might be reaching out to provide information to mainstream press because reporters are showing up and asking questions. Meanwhile, no one is considering how students are communicating with each other about the incident on social media.

Highly Stressed Staff

In a crisis situation, it is difficult for staff to feel supported to pursue professional self-care. People may become physically ill from stress-related health conditions, develop mental health issues, or experience a worsening in preexisting mental health challenges. They may feel burned out or develop compassion fatigue. They may become less effective in their work and less satisfied with their careers. Over time, they may leave education altogether.

Poorer Outcomes for Students, Family, and Staff

In the absence of a coordinated response to a school crisis, students may increase risky behaviors. School climate may deteriorate, and school engagement may diminish. Families may feel frustrated and unacknowledged. And ultimately, school relationships with the community may worsen.

The work of an effective crisis team can make a world of difference for students, staff, schools, and communities. To safeguard your school against the outcomes outlined in this article, take the first steps toward establishing and sustaining an effective crisis team. The new guidebook The School Crisis Planning Guide has all the practical guidance you need to make it happen.