Dear colleagues,
I am glad that I can announce another course on Crisis Management in Schools, to be held in Utrecht, The Netherlands, July 12–18, 2008, in conjunction with the ISPA Colloquium (July 8 – 13, 2008).
See program attached.

Application procedure:
1. Applicants must be school psychologists from countries in the European Union or candidates for the Union.
2. They must send in the attached application form to the organizer by September 30, 2007.
3. Applicants accepted by the organizer will immediately get back the necessary papers and instructions for applying for grants from the European Union’s COMENIUS agency. For addresses see attachment.
(Priority reasons for acceptance by the organizer are:
• Colleagues who will participate in the ISPA colloquium
• Colleagues who are collaborating with crisis responders in their countries already
• Colleagues named by existing teams of crisis responders
Not more than 10 are eligible from one country, and there must be at least three countries represented in the course).
4. The decision about participation is not made by the organizer but by the COMENIUS
agency of the country of the applicant. But for applying there the preliminary acceptance of the organizer is needed. (If funded by this agency participants receive up to €1,500. €1200 will cover accommodation and the seminar fee, so there will be €300 left for travel expenses.)
4. Applicants must make sure before applying to Bernhard Meissner that they will
get permission to take leave from their job at the time of the seminar and that they received the application form for funds from their national COMENIUS agency and know when the deadline for application will be. This is necessary because in some countries the deadline for application for courses between August 2008 and July 2009 is March 1, 2007. You will find out the exact date on the website of the national agency. If someone should withdraw from participation during this process he or she is required to tell Bernhard Meissner at once, in order not to cause financial problems for the course.

Bernhard Meissner
Unterdürrbacher Str. 81, 97080 Würzburg, Germany.
Tel: 0049 (931) 94629
E-mail: bernhard_meissner@web.de

CLICK HERE for the online application form

Crisis Management in Schools

There is a need to support schools in crisis.
Recent neuro-psychological research shows clearly what was known before how much learning – academic and behavioural – is impeded by traumatizing short-term or long-term situations. Strategies were developed especially for children in schools to cope with traumatizing events. Experience in that field was exchanged through international contacts for which the International School Psychology Association (ISPA) offered an excellent basis. ISPA has been granted Consultative Status of the UN. It is recognized by the United Nations as an important Non-Governmental Organization speaking on behalf of children, young people and their families.
In 1999 the International Crisis Response Network (ICRN) was founded as an ISPA project. Since 2003 crisis management courses are organized for European School Psychologists funded by the EU through COMENIUS 2.2.c courses. Only school personnel from countries of the EU are eligible for funding. 122 school psychologists from 12 countries participated so far and reported afterwards that the knpwlöedge and skills were useful in many different incidents, manmade e.g. shootings, bombings, terrorist attacks, suicide, bullying or natural disasters as floods, storms or accidents that had dramatic impact on children or school personnel. A European network arose from these contacts under the roof of the European Committee of ISPA.

These high quality courses could be established through the ISPA network without needing an international project sponsored by the EU. The next course will take place in Utrecht, The Netherlands: July 12 – 18, 2008 (it starts at end of the 2008 ISPA colloquium, allowing colleagues to combine both events).

Aim of the Training
School psychologists of different countries in Europe are invited to exchange their experience in crisis mangement concerning outbreaks of extreme violence in schools or other traumatizing incidents. Experts in the field from Israel, USA and Germany will train participants to offer first psychological aid for traumatized children, teachers, parents in such an event. Short and long term assistance is discussed as well as care for the caregiver and how to collaborate with other helpers. Finally participants may implement their knowledge and expertise to their colleagues and establish special school crisis response units.

Methods
• Scientific, theoretical basis for interventions in crises at schools
• Reactions to tragic events in the past
• Practical training in main intervention strategies
• Reflect coping strategies for stress and trauma
• Prepare for organizing regional crisis response in schools

Follow-up
Participants partly are already in touch or will be after the seminar, and they will report about intervention expertise in their countries. They might offer assistance in national training efforts and support in major tragic events in schools. Through that system strategies will be further developed.

European Dimension
Unfortunately outbreaks of extreme violence in schools in Europe are recently more prevalent. The courses spread interventive and preventive strategies throughout Europe resulting in closer cooperation among experts and in establishing a supportive network. Severe incidents affecting schools usually cause public interest and open a discussion about what is needed in schools to prevent similar events. Prevention programs are taken into consideration and venues for a safer and more supportive school.

Languages of the seminar: ENGLISH/GERMAN

Crisis Management in Schools Program for Utrecht, July 2008

Saturday, July 12 Arrival by 16:00
17:00 Get-together meeting Bernhard Meissner
20:00 Farewell Party at the ISPA Colloquium – optional

Sunday, July 13
9:00 – 12:30 Introduction to the program: Meissner/Arthur Englbrecht
Starting crisis intervention teams: Dr. Yehuda Shacham/Dr. Shulamit Niv
Main questions, roles, circles of vulnerability and support, development of an intervention plan with
practical demonstrations and exercises

14:00 – 17:30 Approach to personal experience and coping with crises
Coping strategies: BASIC-PH

Monday, July 14
9:00 – 12:30 Death and Bereavement: Shacham/Niv
14:00 – 17:30 Continued

Tuesday, July 15
9:00 – 12:30 Group Crisis Intervention (GCI) according Prof. Bill Pfohl
to NOVA
Theoretical background and demonstration

14:00 – 17.30 Exercise GCI-model in small groups
Reflection of the strategy

Wednesday, July 16
9:00 – 12:30 How to deal with the media: Pfohl
Exercises

14:00 – 17:30 Lessons learned in crisis situations

Thursday, July 17
9:00 – 12:30 Safe School Initiative: Englbrecht/Meissner
Exercises and reflection

14:00 – 17:30 Plans for back home
Network of mutual support in crises

Evaluation of the seminar

Friday, July 18 Departure

There may be changes according to the needs and wishes of the participants.