What is the role of a school crisis team?

School crisis teams are responsible for prevention, immediate response, and long-term psychological recovery following a crisis event. They work to promote student wellbeing by coordinating mental health services, supporting affected individuals, and ensuring continuity of care after a crisis.

How is a crisis team different from a threat assessment team?

A threat assessment team proactively evaluates and manages potential threats before they escalate into a crisis. A crisis team, by contrast, focuses on psychological recovery and mental health support after a crisis has occurred, though both play complementary roles in overall school safety.

Why is relationship-building important for school crisis teams?

Trust established with students, staff, and families before an emergency makes crisis intervention far more effective. When relationships are in place, individuals are more likely to seek help, communicate openly, and respond to support — all of which are critical during high-stress crisis situations.

Being Prepared: The Role of School Crisis T...

Being Prepared: The Role of School Crisis Teams

This episode of School Safety Today features school psychologist Benjamin S. Fernandez discussing the critical role of crisis teams in K-12 schools. The conversation highlights how trust-building before a crisis occurs is foundational to effective crisis response, and distinguishes crisis teams from threat assessment teams in their respective functions. Preparedness, prevention, and long-term psychological support are identified as core pillars of school crisis management.

This story was produced through MarketScale. See how Education Technology teams put it to work with Executive Thought Leadership.

Promoted content from Raptor Technologies on MarketScale.

By theresa.sullivan · December 10, 2024, 6:00 AM UTCBenjamin S. FernandezCrisis Intervention in SchoolsDr. Amy GrossoMs. Ed.

Key takeaways

Crisis teams are essential for prevention, psychological recovery, and long-term student wellbeing support — not just emergency response.

Building trust with students, staff, and families before a crisis occurs is foundational to effective crisis intervention.

Crisis teams address mental health and recovery post-crisis, while threat assessment teams proactively evaluate and manage potential threats.

In this episode of School Safety Today by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy speaks with Benjamin S. Fernandez, MS. Ed., School Psychologist about the crucial role of crisis teams in schools. The discussion emphasizes the importance of preparedness, prevention, and relationship-building to effectively manage crises and ensure student wellbeing.

KEY POINTS:

Crisis teams play a crucial role in prevention, psychological recovery, and long-term support to promote student wellbeing.
Building trust with students, staff, and families before a crisis occurs is foundational
Crisis teams focus on addressing mental health and psychological recovery post-crisis, whereas threat assessment teams proactively evaluate and manage potential threats.

About the Guest

Benjamin S. Fernandez, MS. Ed., is a seasoned school psychologist with over 28 years of experience in Pennsylvania and Virginia. Currently serving as a crisis intervention specialist in Northern Virginia, he leads and coordinates crisis intervention services. Benjamin has a rich background in providing mental health services, including assessments, suicide screenings, threat assessments, consultation, and counseling. He is a Lead PREPaRE Trainer and has presented on youth suicide, school mental health, and crisis intervention. He has testified before various government bodies and contributed to the Virginia Department of Education's Suicide Prevention Guidelines. Recognized for his significant contributions, he has received multiple awards, including School Psychologist of the Year by both the Virginia Academy of School Psychologists and the National Association of School Psychologists.