Coping with Crisis: Lessons Learned

Drawn from the firsthand experiences of those "in the trenches" of crisis intervention, this guide provides powerful crisis response recommendations that are immediately applicable--within an hour of an incident and in the days, weeks, and months that follow. Real-life case studies from two highly publicized 1997-1998 school shootings illustrate the recommended steps to take not only in shooting incidents, but in cases of fights, bomb threats, suicides, gang-related violance, accidental deaths, and any other tragedy. Step-by-step information and ideas are offered to help schools, parents, and community caregivers.

Scott Poland, Ed.D., is director of Psychological Services for the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District in Houston, Texas. He also chairs the National Emergency Assistance Teams (NEAT) of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), and will serve as president-elect of NASP during the 1999-2000 school year. He was the team leader for the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) teams that responded to the school shootings in West Paducah, Kentucky; and Jonesboro, Arkansas, and in 1999 consulted with the Jefferson County schools in Littleton, Colorado, after the shooting at Columbine high School.

Jami S. McCormick is a professional writer specializing in education issues (K-12) and youth violence. Formerly the senior editor of an educational publishing house, her business--Tapesty Publishing Services of Nederland, Colorado--currently provides writing, editing, book proposal consultation, and Web site content services to independent writers, publishers, and corporations. She serves on the board of directors of TEENS, Inc. a youth development/violence prevention organzation in her community.