Crisis Intervention in the Schools

When a tragedy, such as a loss of life or devastating event, affects a school community, crisis intervention services are available. Crisis response teams, working with the school’s crisis management team, include school counselors, social workers, and psychologists, with additional support staff. They afford mental health support to students and staff members affected by the critical incident. Their interventions are integral to ensuring students' continued availability for learning, and to address possible long-term impacts of the event(s).

When the principal and local school crisis management team determines that the school is unable to address the crisis response needs, a regional crisis team may be requested. Regional teams, team leaders, or assistant team leaders are prepared to offer consultation; technical assistance; or direct service in response to a school administrator’s request for assistance. The local school team maintains primary responsibility for crisis intervention, and the regional team provides additional technical or direct support.

Occasionally, crisis interventions require special expertise, such as the use of foreign language interpreters, consultation with other mental health experts, or other technical or direct assistance. The Office of Student Services has established professional links with resource professionals within the Fairfax County Public Schools community, county mental health system, the county health department, and through professional organizations.

For further information about crisis intervention resources, contact your school social worker or psychologist, or the appropriate student services coordinator. Principals who need additional assistance should call the appropriate student services office for support or Cindy Dickinson, Crisis Services coordinator at 571-423-4310.

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