In the aftermath of yet another tragic school shooting, we are reminded that we must not only protect our children but also prepare to deal with the consequences should those protections fail. Below please find a list of resources that address many of the pertinent issues relating to school planning, emergency response, and supporting children, families, and those responding directly to scenes of violence involving children.
- U.S. Dept of Education”: Safeguarding Our Children: An Action Guide
An implementation guide for the Early Warning, Timely Response: A Guide for Safe Schools program developed in 2000. This guide focuses on making schools safer from violent events through emergency preparedness, awareness, education and recognition of at-risk students, staff and situations.
- National Education Association: School Crisis Guide: Help and Healing in a Time of Crisis
For school administrators, focusing on preparing for a violent event, managing an event and the immediate aftermath and mitigating long-term stress and distress among students, staff and families.
- U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Coping with Violence and Traumatic Events
A comprehensive list of resources for students, teachers, parents and caregivers, responders and healthcare professionals. Includes information on the Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH). The DDH is the nation’s first hotline dedicated to providing disaster crisis counseling. The toll-free Helpline operates 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week. This free, confidential and multilingual, crisis support service is available via telephone (1-800-985-5990) and SMS (Text ‘TalkWithUs’ to 66746) to U.S. residents who are experiencing psychological distress as a result of a natural or man-made disaster, incidents of mass violence or any other disasters. Callers are connected to trained and caring professionals from the closest crisis counseling center in the network. The helpline staff provides confidential counseling, referrals and other needed support services.
- An Exchange article by Diane Levin: "When the World is a Dangerous Place - Helping Children Deal with Violence in the News"
- Advice from National Child Traumatic Stress Network: "A National Tragedy: Helping Children Cope"
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: "Tips for Talking to Children and Youth after Traumatic Events"
- National Child Traumatic Stress Network: "Talking to Children about the Shooting"
- Family Communications: "Helping Children Deal with Tragic Events in the News"
- The American Psychological Association: "Helping Your Children Manage Distress in the Aftermath of a Shooting"
- Numerous resources from the American Academy of Pediatrics: AAP Offers Resources to Help Parents, Children and Others Cope in the Aftermath of School Shootings
- Alabama Dept. of Health: Supporting Children's Mental Health Needs in the Aftermath of A Disaster: Pediatric Pearls
- PTSD Research Quarterly: Impact of Mass Shootings on Survivors, Families and Communities
- Virginia Dept of Health: Active Shooter Incidents – EMS Response Considerations
- EMS World: EMS Response to Active-Shooter Incidents
- EMS for Children Program’s National Resource Center: PEDPrepared Pediatric Disaster Resource Clearinghouse
This comprehensive collection of more than 500 pediatric disaster planning, response and management resources has been compiled by the EMSC National Resource Center. The site can be searched by key word via a Google site search or readers can browse categories for Healthcare Professionals, Community and Emergency Planners and Families and Caregivers.