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Over the last couple of days faculty at the Copper Country ISD are learning about the newest in school safety and student mental health. Crisis prevention and planning is a topic at forefront in education over the past decade, and discussions have only ramped up since the onset of the covid pandemic two years ago. Mental Health Services Coordinator Natalie Morgan says that the information they are learning will help them to anticipate students needs, and keep staff in top form in the case of a crisis.
On Wednesday staff in the CCISD were taught how to establish a crisis plan for educators and students. The first program also showed staff how to prepare and react during a crisis and gave clear directions for roles in such a situation. Today and tomorrow staff will learn how to effectively handle students when they are having a mental health crisis, and build skills for staff to properly address acute trauma triggers.
The PREparE model in schools follows a series of steps in the event of a crisis. P – prevent and prepare for crisis. R – reaffirm physical health and welfare, and perceptions of health and safety. E – evaluate psychological trauma risk. par – provide crisis interventions and respond to mental health needs. E – examine to effectiveness of crisis preparedness.
After the past three days faculty in the Copper Country will have another tool under their belt, so they can provide the best education and learning environment to the many students in the Keweenaw. Most of today and yesterday’s workshop identified the different types of crises that can occur, and identifying how best to approach students depending on the severity of a incident. All in an effort to be more prepared for their students, co workers and the community.
Learn more about PREparE here.
