PREPaRE Workshop 1 provides a broad overview of the school crisis team’s roles and responsibilities, with a special emphasis on crisis prevention and preparedness. In this one-day virtual workshop, participants will learn how to establish and sustain comprehensive school safety efforts that address both physical and psychological safety.

Through an interactive Zoom-based format, participants will explore the critical components needed to develop, exercise, and evaluate school safety and crisis teams and plans, as well as conduct building vulnerability assessments. The workshop also examines how school personnel and community providers can work together to support school-based crisis preparedness and response activities.

Topics include:

• Crisis prevention, mitigation, protection, response, and recovery
• Developing, exercising, and evaluating school crisis teams and plans
• Building vulnerability assessments
• Roles and responsibilities of school personnel and community partners
• Media and social media
• Crisis communication
• Reunification
• Supporting students with special needs
• Culture and cultural considerations
• Memorials and post-crisis considerations

Drawing on updated research and practical strategies, the workshop makes a clear connection between ongoing prevention and preparedness efforts and effective crisis response and recovery. Participants will leave better prepared to strengthen school climate, support student resilience, and enhance the crisis response capabilities of school personnel.

Workshop Series Information

This is Workshop 1 of 2 in the PREPaRE model training series. Participation in both workshops is not mandatory, but participants are strongly encouraged to complete both workshops to develop a comprehensive understanding of the PREPaRE model and its application.

Both Workshop 1 and Workshop 2 are required for participants who are interested in becoming future PREPaRE model trainers.

Who Should Receive Workshop 1 Training?

PREPaRE Workshop 1 is appropriate for all school personnel who need to understand how a comprehensive school crisis team is organized and functions. This can include, but is not limited to:

• School mental health professionals
• Administrators
• Teachers
• Other student services personnel
• Security officers
• Front office staff
• Transportation directors
• Before- and after-school activities coordinators

The workshop is designed to help participants understand their individual roles within a comprehensive school crisis team and contribute effectively to school-wide prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.

Note: This course has pre-work requirements including a foundational video (15 mins) and a pre-test to complete prior to the training day. In total, the pre-work should take approximately 30 minutes. Participants will be sent instructions for completing the pre-work approximately one week prior to the training day.