Navigating Crisis Together

Acknowledgments
Our school communities continue to grapple with significant trauma and consistent, intensive stressors. The COVID-19 pandemic, racial injustices in many forms, a dramatic spike in violence locally, a national gun violence crisis, school focused legislation attacking LGBTQIA+ students and staff across the country, contentious political rhetoric and increased hate speech and hate crimes, and the real-time impacts of climate crisis make this a deeply challenging time to be an educator and a student. We have also witnessed the power of community when educators, parents, and students show up for each other in meaningful ways, being incredibly creative in how to navigate this difficult time. Together, we can nurture connected, equitable, compassionate schools that are more equipped to respond to traumatic events. And, it will always be a work in progress. 

This document represents the collaborative work of educators and community partners to provide school districts and schools a guide for building your own mental and behavioral health recovery plan to support staff, students, and families following critical incidents and traumatic events. This guide is the result of a long-term process, spanning many years, with Centennial, Corbett, David Douglas, Gresham-Barlow, Parkrose, Portland Public, Reynolds and Riverdale school districts, Multnomah Education Service District (MESD) and Multnomah County. This edition has been edited and adapted by MESD, with input and feedback from all of our school and community partners. This plan in whole or part is available for use by other agencies, with proper attribution.

We offer deep gratitude to the school districts and partners for their contributions to this plan, and for everything you do daily for our students: