Crisis Planning in Washington Schools
Forefront programs and partnerships are helping schools and higher education institutions across our state in establishing and enhancing state mandated protocols for responding to students in emotional and behavioral distress. RCW 28A.320.127
Our program model follows best practice strategies and supports schools in building and sustaining a comprehensive approach to help prevent suicide. Forefront has championed 11 state laws and positioned Washington as the first state requiring health professionals to have suicide prevention training.
On this page you will find an assortment of tools, resources and other information to help you prevent, intervene and provide support for your entire school community.
Please note: Forefront schools receive a baseline score as they enter the program and one annual scoring from our evaluation staff until they receive a “meets” or “exceeds expectations” status.
Crisis Planning Tools
- Crisis Plan Checklist – FIS_FINAL_6-27-22
- Crisis Plan Template – FIS
- Re-Entry Checklist – FIS
- Remote School Counselor Guidelines
- Safety Plan Template – FIS_9-20-22 – New fillable form
Sample Crisis Plans, Policies/Procedures & Suggested Screening Tools
- Sample Crisis Plan – Foster
- Sample Crisis Plan Staff Guide – Foster
- OSPI’s Emotional and Behavioral Distress Guide: Plan Template for Recognition, Screening, and Response to Emotional or Behavioral Distress in Students – 2023 New fillable PDF that includes a selection of evidence-based screening tools. See p20-21.
Find more resources under Prevention and Postvention below
Prevention Resources to Help Support Students and Staff
- Community Partnership Guide_09_02_22
- Sample Memorandum of Understanding (OSPI) – Sample MOU
- Resources for Adults & Teens_2022
- Resources for Schools_12-10-22
COVID-19 Specific Resources:
- COVID-19 Back-to-Classroom THINK Toolbox: Teaching with Healthcare Informed Neurological Strategies for Kids (Washington State Department of Health)
- Supporting Child and Student Social, Emotional, Behavioral and Mental Health during COVID-19 Era (US Department of Education)
Resources from our Partners:
- Coping & Support Training Program (CAST) for Tier 2 & 3 student intervention. One remaining scholarship to attend the Facilitator Training. Must implement during the 2022-23 school year. See application details for this evidence based prevention program here.
- Ending the Silence – NAMI
- How to Help a Friend – NAMI
- RISE Staff Wellbeing Webinars from KAISER’s Thriving Schools
- SEL & College-Career Transition Resources_JED_8-29-22
While we hope our schools never have to experience a suicide, the reality is that death by suicide does occur. Experiencing this kind of loss is both unique and challenging, so moving from reaction mode to helping your school prepare to support, provide structure and safety is key. Reviewing, updating and improving this element of your crisis response plan takes preparation and coordinated efforts. We’ve gathered a list of resources to help.
Postvention Crisis Response:
- OSPI, in partnership with Forefront Suicide Prevention and Washington state’s Educational Service District (ESD) Behavioral Health Navigators, created the Suicide Postvention Guide for Schools in Washington State. This guide includes vetted information from materials that are designed to enhance a school’s ability to respond with resources specific to their distinct ESD.
- Also see: Suicide Postvention Guide for Schools in Washington State PPT slides and Suicide Postvention in Schools Handout. To request an editable version of the PPT slides, that can be localized for your district, please email Tayler Burkhart.
- Forefront’s Postvention Guide: Information and resources to help schools in the aftermath of a suicide
- Forefront’s Postvention Resource One Pager: This list includes resources for sample notification templates, safe and effective messaging guidelines, 24-hr crisis consultation, model school district policy, programming and more.
Additional Resources:
- Postvention Letter Writing Activities for students in the aftermath of a suicide.
- Resources in the Aftermath of Suicide – Updating with new 988 info
- Suicide Postvention: The Role of the School Community After a Suicide – Training webinar by Kognito (1 hr 9 min) using the ‘After a Suicide Toolkit.’
- Suicide Prevention Resource Center: Survivors of Suicide Loss
- Trauma Support Resource List for Chaplains