School Safety Resources

School Safety - Resources for schools and families in the aftermath of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Questions and Answers

Talking with Students about the Events at Sandy Hook (From the Crisis Management Institute)

• Talking with Children (PDF, 85KB)
• Guidelines for Teachers and Administrators (PDF, 187KB)

Emergency planning and preparedness for schools

• Maine Prepares (Maine Emergency Management Agency)
• Maine DOE Emergency School Planning
• Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan requirements in law

General Resources - School Emergency Management, Distress and Grief Advice

• Disaster Distress Helpline (Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration)
• Helping your children manage distress in the aftermath of a shooting (American Psychological Association)
• Managing your distress in the aftermath of a shooting (American Psychological Association)
• Five Questions on the Tucson, Ariz., Shootings for Psychologist Joel Dvoskin, PhD   **please see # 3 question and response (American Psychological Association)
• Helpful Hints for School Emergency Management - Psychological first aid (PFA) for students and teachers: Listen, Protect, Connect – Model & Teach (U.S. Department of Education, Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance Center)
• Listen, Protect, Connect – Model and Teach - Psychological first aid for teachers and students (Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Department of Homeland Security)
• After a Loved One Dies – How children grieve and how parents and other adults can support them. (David Schonfeld, MD, and Marcia Quackenbush, MS, MFT, CHES)
• School Crisis Guide - Help and healing in a time of crisis. (National Education Association)
• SAMHSA's Tips for Talking to Children and Youth After Traumatic Events: A Guide for Parents and Educators (US Department of Health and Human Services)
• SAMHSA's Coping with Violence and Traumatic Events Web site (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
• Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers (National Association of School Psychologists)
• Coping With Crisis: Tips for Parents and Educators (National Association of School Psychologists)
• Coping with Crisis—Helping Children With Special Needs (National Association of School Psychologists)
• Dealing with a Death in School (National Association of School Psychologists)
• A Practical Guide for Crisis Response in Our Schools (National Center for Crisis Management)
• School crisis guide: Helping and healing in a time of crisis (National Education Association)

Disaster Distress Helpline (Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration)