Introduction

Introduction

Many American communities have suffered from school-related violence, and, unfortunately, many more are likely to do so. School administrators and teachers who have experienced violence on their campuses realize the importance of having a crisis plan that addresses immediate need, and they also have found that the mental health recovery needs of students and staff often span months or even years beyond the initial date of the tragic event.

In response to these needs, the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools, through Congressional action, has made funding available under the auspices of Project SERV (School Emergency Response to Violence). Project SERV specifically funds "education-related services to local education agencies in which the learning environment has been disrupted" due to a sudden, unexpected or violent event that may involve physical harm and fear. Once a school's application is submitted and approved, the "education-related services" may include intermediate and longer-term mental health recovery efforts necessary to restore the learning environment of the school. (For further information and Project SERV guidelines: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osdfs/index.html?src=mr)

Through a government project entitled "The Mental Health Component of Project SERV," the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has sponsored work which includes:

* A review of school and community manuals in this field

* A literature review of immediate response protocols

* Recommendations from a panel of key experts

* The development of guidance materials, meaningful to school districts, school administrators and community crisis responders that will foster and support the development of school and community mental health response plans for school-related violent incidents

This document is informed by these first three activities and fulfills the latter objective by providing guidelines for school staff and community mental health personnel to establish and maintain immediate, intermediate, and longer-term mental health recovery services necessary to restore the social and emotional equilibrium and well-being of students and staff after such an event.