An Integrated Model of School Crisis
Preparedness and Intervention
A Shared Foundation to Facilitate International
Crisis Intervention
SHANE R. JIMERSON
a
, STEPHEN E. BROCK
b
and
SARAH W. PLETCHER
a
a
University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA and
b
California State University, Sacramento, California, USA
ABSTRACT In an effort to promote the social and cognitive compe-
tence of youth, school psychologists must be prepared to address a
multitude of contextual factors and life events that impact children’s
performance and adjustment in school and subsequent developmental
trajectories. The domain of crisis preparedness and intervention has
received increased attention during the past decade (as evidenced by a
growing school crisis intervention literature) and is currently a train-
ing standard for school psychologists in some parts of the world. Crisis
situations may emerge following natural disasters such as floods,
fires, tornadoes or earthquakes and also from human generated situa-
tions such as bombings and school shootings. Each of these events is
likely to affect the children and families in schools and communities
by presenting them with problems that will be challenging to cope
with. There are a variety of crisis preparedness and intervention
models and strategies available to address crisis situations. Without
a shared foundation for crisis intervention, responding to crisis
situations may be further complicated, especially in situations where
international colleagues are collaborating. Therefore, a shared
foundation that includes both preparedness and intervention while
emphasizing both developmental and school considerations will be
invaluable in our efforts to facilitate collaboration among diverse
colleagues across multiple contexts. The purpose of this article is to
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Please address correspondence to: Dr Shane R. Jimerson, University of
California, Santa Barbara, Gevirtz Graduate School of Education, Counseling,
Clinical, and School Psychology, Child and Adolescent Development, 2208
Phelps Hall, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9490, USA.
Email: Jimerson@education.ucsb.edu
School Psychology International Copyright © 2005 SAGE Publications (London,
Thousand Oaks, CA and New Delhi), Vol. 26(3): 275–296.
DOI: 10.1177/0143034305055974