Parents and Teachers
Masters of Disaster from ARC: The American Red Cross has developed a curriculum that can help educators & parents talk to children about emergency planning entitled "Masters of Disaster". The award-winning Masters of Disaster® disaster preparedness curriculum teaches children how to prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters and other emergencies. It is now available in customized formats for both families and educators. A variety of materials are available for kids in grades K-2, 3-5, & 6-8. The Masters of Disaster® series is an educational tool that will teach youth the importance of preparedness while reducing fear of the unexpected. The goal is to empower youth with the confidence and knowledge to prepare for disasters and help create a culture of preparedness. The lessons are non-threatening, age appropriate and adhere to national education standards. Below are some lessons and activities from Masters of Disaster.
- Chapter 1: "Feelings," includes lessons and activities that are timely immediately following a tragic event. Lessons in this chapter address dealing with feelings of loss, sadness and anger.
- Chapter 2: "Facts and Perspectives," gives information on how the media plays a role in conveying information and how to be able to discern facts as reported in media coverage, yet not continue to frighten children. This chapter also covers the important fundamental principles of the Red Cross.
- Chapter 3: "Future," provides positive ways for children and their families to respond to past events and plan for future uncertain times.
Research suggests that approximately 25% of American children will experience at least one traumatic event by the age of 16. A child's reactions to trauma can interfere considerably with learning and/or behavior at school. However, schools also serve as a critical system of support for children who have experienced trauma. Administrators, teachers, and staff can help reduce the impact of trauma on children by recognizing trauma responses, accommodating and responding to traumatized students within the classroom setting, and referring children to outside professionals when necessary. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has developed tools and materials to help educators understand and respond to the specific needs of traumatized children.
The Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators was developed to provide school administrators, teachers, staff, and concerned parents with basic information about working with traumatized children in the school system. The toolkit is comprised of the following components:
- Trauma Facts for Educators
This one-page fact sheet is designed to help educators learn more about the impact of trauma on children's behavior and performance in a school or classroom setting. It also provides specific recommendations for teachers to help mitigate the impact of trauma on children in the classroom. - Psychological & Behavioral Impact of Trauma for Elementary School Students
- Psychological & Behavioral Impact of Trauma for Middle School Age
- Psychological & Behavioral Impact of Trauma for High School Age
These comprehensive documents are intended for educators who work primarily with elementary, middle school, and high school students, respectively. They describe how to identify children in the three age groups who may be experiencing traumatic stress reactions. They also teach educators how to manage these children within the school and classroom settings. - Self Care for Educators
Working daily with children who have been exposed to trauma can be very difficult for school professionals. This handout defines secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, and vicarious traumatization: three reactions that educators who work with traumatized children may have. The handout describes why these reactions are so important to prevent and address, and outlines specific recommendations for appropriate self-care. - Suggestions for Educators
This document provides a list of simple and straightforward strategies educators can use to accommodate a traumatized child in the school setting. It also teaches educators how to determine when traumatic stress reactions are severe enough to merit a referral for additional help. - Brief Information on Childhood Traumatic Grief for School Personnel
This information sheet focuses primarily on how teachers and school personnel can identify and assist children in their school who are experiencing child traumatic grief. While acknowledging that most children who have experienced the death of a close friend or family member do not develop childhood traumatic grief, the information sheet identifies specific signs and symptoms of childhood traumatic grief for teachers to look for. This resource also outlines strategies that school staff can engage in to help students with child traumatic grief.
NCTSN -- Resources for Schools: This page from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network offers psychoeducational and therapeutic curriculum for helping students who have experienced stressful and traumatic events.
Additional Resources
Ready.gov This site offers fun preparedness and disaster-related resources for kids. For more, see our student section.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network The National Child Traumatic Stress Network is funded by the Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Network's purpose is to improve the quality, effectiveness, provision, and availability of therapeutic services delivered to all children and adolescents experiencing traumatic events. The Network develops and disseminates effective, evidence-based treatments; collects data for systematic study; and helps to educate professionals and the public about the effects of trauma on children. Their website offers a wealth of resources for parents, caregivers, and educators.
National Service-Learning Partnership Founded in 2001, the National Service-Learning Partnership is a national advocacy network through which its members educate, organize, and mobilize for strategic leadership that promotes and strengthens the practice of service-learning. Service-learning is a teaching method that engages students in service to their schools and communities as part of their academic studies. The Partnership is dedicated to advancing service-learning as a core element of the educational experience of every elementary, middle, and secondary school student in the United States. The Partnership concentrates on strengthening the impact of service-learning on young people's learning and development, especially their academic and civic preparation. For the Partnership, service-learning is about educational excellence.
National Parent Teachers Association The mission of the National PTA is three-fold: to support and speak on behalf of children and youth in the schools, in the community and before governmental bodies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children; to assist parents in developing the skills they need to raise and protect their children; and to encourage parent and public involvement in the public schools of this nation.
School Counselors and Psychologists
NCTSN -- Resources for Schools - This page from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network offers psychoeducational and therapeutic tools for helping students who have experienced stressful and traumatic events.
NCSCB overview The National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement Center was created to: 1) Promote an appreciation of the role schools can serve to support students, staff and families at times of crisis and loss. (2) Enhance the training of individuals in school-related professional education programs in the areas of crisis and loss. (3) Link efforts to provide trauma-related and bereavement support services within school settings. (4) Collaborate with professional organizations, governmental and non-governmental agencies and community groups to further help students, staff and families at times of crisis and loss. (5) Serve as a resource for information, training materials, consultation and technical assistance for school systems, professional training programs, professional organizations, governmental and non-governmental agencies, communities, children's groups and projects in the areas of crisis and loss
Related Organizations
American College Counseling Association
American College Personnel Association, Commission for Counseling and Psychological Services
Anxiety Disorders Association of America
National Institute of Mental Health
The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) represents school psychology and supports school psychologists to enhance the learning and mental health of all children and youth.
The Center for Social Organization of Schools (CSOS) was established in 1966 as an educational research and development center at Johns Hopkins University. The Center maintains a staff of full-time, highly productive sociologists, psychologists, social psychologists, and educators who conduct programmatic research to improve the education system, as well as full-time support staff engaged in developing curricula and providing technical assistance to help schools use the Center's research. The Center currently includes the federally-supported Center for Research on the Education of Students Placed At Risk, and the Center on School, Family & Community Partnerships. The Center provides access to many of its technical reports and other publications.
Responding to a Crisis at a School
This 148-page resource aid published by the Center for Mental Health in Schools at UCLA () is partially sponsored by SAMHSA. It contains materials to guide & assist with school staff training & student/family interventions -- including overviews, outlines, checklists, instruments, & other resources that can be reproduced & used as information handouts and aids for training & practice. This includes information about crisis intervention, crisis response, & the creation of crisis teams in schools.
This webpage from the U.S. Dept of Education provides information that can help school leaders plan for any emergency, including natural disasters, violent incidents, and terrorist acts.
Related Organizations
American College Health Association (ACHA) is the principal advocate and leadership organization for college and university health.
American Association of School Administrators (AASA) founded in 1865, is the professional organization for over 14,000 educational leaders across America and in many other countries. AASA's mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to the highest quality public education for all children. The four major focus areas for AASA are:
- Improving the condition of children and youth
- Preparing schools and school systems for the 21st century
- Connecting schools and communities
- Enhancing the quality and effectiveness of school leaders
The National School Safety Center serves as an advocate for safe, secure and peaceful schools worldwide and as a catalyst for the prevention of school crime and violence.
National Education Association (NEA) is America's oldest and largest organization committed to advancing the cause of public education. Founded in 1857 in Philadelphia and now headquartered in Washington, D.C., NEA proudly claims more than 2.5 million members who work at every level of education, from pre-school to university graduate programs. NEA has affiliates in every state as well as in over 13,000 local communities across the United States.
For Students
FEMA for kids
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Kids website, featuring fun activities for children. The site teaches kids how to be prepared for disasters and prevent disaster damage. It’s also a great place to learn what causes disasters, play games, read stories, & offers kids a chance to become a Disaster Action Kid.
College Students and Administrators
FEMA Building A Disaster-Resistant University Handbook
This 55-page handbook from FEMA aids in creating informed and prepared university campuses.
ARC Steps for Forming RC Campus Club
Are you a student interested in helping others and making your community a better place to live? If so, join the Red Cross Club on your campus! If there is not a Red Cross Club on your campus considering starting your own with help from the links below. As a member of a Red Cross Club you can provide Red Cross-related services to the campus and local community through:
- Disaster services, such as disaster relief or community disaster education
- Health and safety activities and training such as first aid and CPR
- Biomedical and blood services such as blood drives
- International services such as the Measles Initiative
- Armed Forces Emergency Services such as volunteer service to military hospitals
- Community service projects
Related Organizations
American College Personnel Association (ACPA) supports and fosters college student learning through the generation and dissemination of knowledge, which informs policies, practices and programs for student affairs professionals and the higher education community.
The BACCHUS Network™ is a university and community based network focusing on comprehensive health and safety initiatives. It is the mission of this 501(C)(3) non-profit organization to promote student and young adult based, campus and community-wide leadership on health and safety issues.
The National School Safety Center at serves as an advocate for safe, secure and peaceful schools worldwide and as a catalyst for the prevention of school crime and violence.