Emergency Preparedness The Rhode Island Department of Education is guided by what is in the best interest of students and this includes ensuring that our students have safe and healthy learning environments. Emergency Preparedness requires collaboration from various stakeholders to maximize the health, safety, and welfare of students and staff when confronted with an emergency situation. To achieve this, district administrators, principals, teachers, students, state officials, and local police and fire departments must work together to effectively execute a school emergency plan. It is important for LEAs to establish relationships with potential partners before a crisis occurs. While it is not possible to prevent every emergency, proper preparation and collaboration can mitigate harm. When teachers, principals, administrators and first responders collaborate, they maximize the health, safety, and welfare of students and staff when confronted with an emergency situation. School Crisis Response Plans Many schools have adopted School Crisis Response Plans that address Preparedness, Response and Recovery in all types of situations. We urge all Rhode Island Schools to adopt a School Crisis Response Plan. Please visit the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency’s website to request plans. Model School Safety Plan In July of 2013, Governor Chafee signed RIGL §16-21-24 into effect. The law requires RIEMA, in coordination with RIDE to develop a template for school districts to work with local police and fire departments to conduct a school safety assessment and create an emergency plan. School committees are now required on an annual basis to update school safety and emergency plans and procedures. By December 31st of each year, the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education must present a safety assessment to the General Assembly and the Governor. RIEMA, in collaboration with RIDE, the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals, the Rhode Island Department of Public Safety, Rhode Island State Police and the Division of the State Fire Marshal, and many other stakeholders developed the Model School Safety Plan in the wake of school incidents. The purpose of this joint initiative is to enhance preparedness and response procedures for school systems and local communities in the State of Rhode Island. The plan is a 300-page strategic blueprint which incorporates best practices and state requirements into a guide that school districts can adopt or modify to meet their individual needs. The key documents in the new resource include an emergency planning guide and two FEMA publications regarding developing high-quality emergency operations for K-12 and Higher Educational institutions. Model School Safety Plan Sections (PDFs): Section 1 - Model School Safety Plan: Introduction Section 2 - Model School Safety Plan: Mitigation and Prevention Section 3 - Model School Safety Plan: Preparedness Section 4 - Model School Safety Plan: Response Section 5 - Model School Safety Plan: Recovery Section 6 - Model School Safety Plan: Appendices Site Safety Report The Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency in collaboration with several Local, State and Federal partners have developed this document to provide a standardized approach to conducting school safety assessments. This assessment is meant as a part of a comprehensive approach to school emergency planning. The intent of this document is to bring together school administration, faculty and first responders to collect data that will assist in the development and revision of each facilities emergency plan. 2016 School Assessment: All Hazards Site Safety Report [DOCX, 66KB] Resources in Response to School Shootings The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has developed resources to help children, families, educators, and communities navigate what they are seeing and hearing, acknowledge their feelings, and find ways to cope together. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network Resources Talking to Children about the Shooting Helping Youth After a Community Trauma: Tips for Educators (En Español) Talking to Children: When Scary Things Happen (En Español) Talking to Teens about Violence (En Español) Tips for Talking to Students about Violence Coping After Mass Violence: For Adults For Teens: Coping After Mass Violence(En Español) Helping School-Age Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers (En Español) Helping Teens with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers(En Español) Helping Young Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers (En Español) Guiding Adults in Talking to Children about Death and Attending Services After a Crisis: Helping Young Children Heal Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event Once I Was Very Very Scared – children’s book for young children After the Injury—website for families with injured children Health Care Toolbox—website for pediatric health providers working with injured children Pause-Reset-Nourish (PRN) to Promote Wellbeing (En Español) (for responders) Psychological First Aid The NCTSN also has resources for responders on Psychological First Aid (PFA; En Español). PFA is an early intervention to support children, adolescents, adults, and families impacted by these types of events. PFA Mobile and the PFA Wallet Card (En Español) provide a quick reminder of the core actions. The PFA online training course is also available on the NCTSN Learning Center. Additional PFA resources for schools include: Psychological First Aid for Schools (PFA-S) – Field operations guide Providing PFA-S: For Health-Related Professionals – handout Providing PFA-S: For Principals and Administrators – handout Providing PFA-S: For School Support Staff – handout Providing PFA-S: For Teachers - handout From the National Mass Violence and Victimization Resource Center Transcend (mobile app to assist with recovery after mass violence) Rebuild your Community: Resources for Community Leaders Media Guidelines for Homicide Family Survivors Timeline of Activities to Promote Mental Health Recovery Self-Help: Resources for Survivors E-learning Courses: Trainings for Clinicians Resources for Victim Assistance Professionals From the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress at the Uniformed Services University Grief Leadership: Leadership in the Wake of Tragedy Leadership Communication: Anticipating and Responding to Stressful Events Coping with Stress Following a Mass Shooting A disaster event such as this is unexpected and often brings out strong emotions. People can call or text the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline’s toll-free number (1–800–985–5990) and receive immediate counseling. This free, confidential, and multilingual crisis support service is available to anyone experiencing psychological distress as a result of this event. People who call and text are connected to trained and caring professionals from crisis counseling centers in the network. Helpline staff provide confidential counseling, referrals, and other needed support services. Mass Violence Mass Violence/Community Violence—This part of the SAMHSA Disaster Behavioral Health Information Series resource collection focuses on incidents of mass violence, community violence, and terrorism and their effects. Resources discuss common reactions to incidents of mass violence, tips for coping, and ways to support children and youth in coping. https://www.samhsa.gov/resource-search/dbhis?rc%5B0%5D=type_of_disaster%3A20549 Coping after Mass Violence—Written for parents and families, this National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) tip sheet provides information about common reactions to mass violence and self-care tips for those living in communities where an incident of mass violence has taken place. The tip sheet also includes external resources for individuals seeking further support. https://www.nctsn.org/resources/coping-after-mass-violence Improving Community Preparedness to Assist Victims of Mass Violence and Domestic Terrorism: Training and Technical Assistance (ICP TTA) Program—Funded by the Office for Victims of Crime within the U.S. Department of Justice, the ICP TTA program works to equip U.S. communities to respond effectively to incidents of criminal mass violence and domestic terrorism. The program's website features a resources page (https://icptta.com/resources), which offers vetted resources to help emergency managers, victim service professionals, and others make victim services part of emergency operations plans, as well as a trainings page (https://icptta.com/trainings), which includes freely available trainings to help build local capacity. https://icptta.com Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth after the Recent Shooting—In this 3-page tip sheet released shortly after a shooting, the NCTSN describes how such an event may affect children and teens as well as parents and other caregivers. The tip sheet lists reactions common among people of all ages, offers coping tips for caregivers, and suggests ways for caregivers to support children and youth in talking about and managing their reactions. https://www.nctsn.org/resources/parent-guidelines-helping-youth-after-recent-shooting This resource is available in Spanish at https://www.nctsn.org/resources/guia-para-los-padres-para-ayudar-los-jovenes-despues-de-un-tiroteo-reciente. Psychological Impact of the Recent Shooting—This document from the NCTSN lists reactions people may have to a shooting and related experiences (such as loss of loved ones and disruption of routines). It describes grief reactions, depression, and physical reactions, and it highlights ways to cope effectively with reactions to a shooting. https://www.nctsn.org/resources/psychological-impact-recent-shooting Remembering—National Mass Violence Victimization Resource Center (NMVVRC) This web page describes how communities typically respond in grief after an incident of mass violence and offers guidance for community leaders in supporting communities through this process. Information and downloadable resources focus on communities remembering tragic events, incident anniversaries, and memorials.https://www.nmvvrc.org/community-leaders/rebuild-your-community/remembering Survivors and Witnesses After Traumatic Events—A product of Voices Center for Resilience, a nonprofit formed after the attacks of September 11, 2001, this tip sheet for the public provides basic information about common effects of exposure to acts of violence, civil unrest, or terrorism. It identifies steps disaster-affected individuals can take in the immediate aftermath of crisis, common reactions to disasters, and tips for coping and asking for help. https://voicescenter.org/tip-sheets/trauma/survivors Talking to Children about the Shooting—In this tip sheet, the NCTSN provides suggestions to parents and other caregivers for talking with their children in ways that help them to make sense of and cope with their reactions to a shooting. The tip sheet also identifies reactions common in children and teens to shooting incidents. https://www.nctsn.org/resources/talking-children-about-shooting Tip Sheet for Youth Talking to Journalists After Mass Violence—This NCTSN tip sheet describes how talking with journalists may affect youth who have survived an incident of mass violence. It lists the rights that youth and families have (for example, they have the right to ask what the interview questions will be in advance of agreeing to an interview). It also identifies signs that reporters are doing their job well, so that readers know what to expect. https://www.nctsn.org/resources/tip-sheet-youth-talking-journalists-after-mass-violence Tips for Parents on Media Coverage—In this tip sheet, the NCTSN explains the effects that media coverage of a violent incident may have on children and teens and suggests ways for parents and other caregivers to help children and teens manage reactions to media coverage and the violent event. The tip sheet also includes tips for families with involvement in a violent incident. https://www.nctsn.org/resources/tips-parents-media-coverage-shooting Unexpected Challenges for Communities in the Aftermath of a Mass Violence Incident—This tip sheet from the National Mass Violence Victimization Resource Center lists some unexpected issues a community may encounter after experiencing a mass violence incident. The document also provides suggested solutions for managing these challenges and prioritizing a community’s safety and recovery. https://www.nmvvrc.org/media/301cm3if/unexpected-challenges-for-communities.pdf Resources for Children, Youth, Parents and Other Caregivers, and Schools Children and Adolescents—Several sections of the SAMHSA Disaster Behavioral Health Information Series (DBHIS) resource collection focus on the common responses and needs children and adolescents may have during and after disasters. These sections include resources that highlight the unique needs of children and adolescents in and after disasters, as well as how adults who work with children, and parents and other caregivers, can offer support to children and adolescents in coping. Following are SAMHSA DBHIS sections related to children and adolescents: Resources intended for children: https://www.samhsa.gov/resource-search/dbhis?rc%5B0%5D=audience%3A20195 Resources for adolescents: https://www.samhsa.gov/resource-search/dbhis?rc%5B0%5D=audience%3A20192 Resources about children and disaster: https://www.samhsa.gov/resource-search/dbhis?rc%5B0%5D=populations%3A20575 Resources about adolescents and disaster: https://www.samhsa.gov/resource-search/dbhis?rc%5B0%5D=populations%3A20151 Children and Disasters—Part of the Disaster Survivors portal (https://www.samhsa.gov/dtac/disaster-survivors) at the SAMHSA Disaster Technical Assistance Center website, this web page describes how children and teenagers may experience disasters differently from adults, offers tips for disaster planning for families, identifies common reactions to disasters in children and teenagers, and provides suggestions for adults for helping children and teenagers cope after disaster. Links to related resources are also provided: https://www.samhsa.gov/dtac/disaster-survivors/children-and-disaster After a Crisis: How Young Children Heal—This tip sheet from the NCTSN describes how young children may respond to disasters and other crises and suggests ways for parents and other caregivers to support them in coping. The tip sheet uses the word SAFETY as a memory aid for readers, with each category of tips beginning with a letter in the word. https://www.nctsn.org/resources/after-crisis-helping-young-children-heal Creating Effective Child- and Family-Focused Disaster Behavioral Health Messages on Social Media—In this approximately 40-page toolkit, the NCTSN provides guidance for professionals serving disaster-affected communities, as well as child-serving mental health organizations, in using social media to communicate with the public through all phases of disaster. The toolkit presents an overview of social media platforms; information about developing social media posts; and key communication considerations by phase of disaster, including in the aftermath of disaster and during long-term recovery. https://www.nctsn.org/resources/creating-effective-child-and-family-focused-disaster-behavioral-health-messages-on-social-media Helping School-Age Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers—After children lose someone they love in a disaster or other event, they may go through traumatic grief, particularly if the death was sudden or frightening. In this tip sheet, the NCTSN explains how school-age children may experience traumatic grief and suggests ways for parents and other caregivers to support them in moving through and coping with this type of grief. https://www.nctsn.org/resources/helping-school-age-children-traumatic-grief-tips-caregivers Chinese: https://www.nctsn.org/resources/pfa-parent-tips-helping-school-age-children-after-disasters-chinese Japanese: https://www.nctsn.org/resources/pfa-parent-tips-helping-school-age-children-after-disasters-japanese Spanish: https://www.nctsn.org/resources/pfa-consejos-para-padres-como-ayudar-ninos-de-edad-escolar Psychological First Aid: Teachers and Educators—Designed for personnel at schools that have experienced an incident of violence or a natural disaster, this tip sheet describes how teachers and educators may experience disasters and how PFA can help. PFA is an evidence-informed, modular approach that can be used to assist disaster survivors. The tip sheet offers ideas for teachers to take care of themselves and support others in the school community in coping and healing after disasters. https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/disaster_resources/pfa/teachers_educators.pdf General Disaster Response and Recovery Information Tips for Survivors: Coping With Grief After a Disaster or Traumatic Event—In this tip sheet, SAMHSA defines and describes grief, discusses ways of coping with grief, and explains complicated or traumatic grief. The tip sheet also offers relevant resources for additional support. https://store.samhsa.gov/product/Tips-for-Survivors-/SMA17-5035 Arabic: https://www.nctsn.org/resources/helping-school-age-children-traumatic-grief-tips-caregivers-ara Spanish: https://www.nctsn.org/resources/helping-school-age-children-traumatic-grief-tips-caregivers-sp PFA: Tips for Adults—Part of the Psychological First Aid Field Operations Guide, this handout identifies common reactions in adults who have experienced a disaster, suggests responses, and offers examples of things to do and say to cope with the reaction. These suggestions and examples include a breathing exercise for relaxation, prioritization of responsibilities that feel overwhelming, and tapping into existing relationships for support. https://www.nctsn.org/resources/pfa-tips-adults This resource is available in Spanish at https://www.nctsn.org/resources/pfa-consejos-para-adultos. The SAMHSA Disaster App allows disaster behavioral health responders to navigate resources related to pre-deployment preparation, on-the-ground assistance, and post-deployment resources. Users can also share resources from the app via text message or email and quickly identify local mental health and substance use disorder treatment services. https://store.samhsa.gov/product/samhsa-disaster RELATED RESOURCES U.S. Department of Education - Emergency Planning State of Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency Rhode Island Department of Health: Immunization Information for Schools Ready: Prepare, Plan, Stay Informed