Trauma and Loss Teams

TRAUMA AND LOSS TEAMS

School-aged children are increasingly exposed to traumatic events such as the loss of a loved one, accidents, family violence, community violence, and natural disasters. These events can be disruptive to a student’s ability to perform at school. Trauma and Loss Teams are organized by attendance areas to support students, staff, and parents in the wake of such events at school. Teams consist of school counselors, social workers, and psychologists.

 School systems are not responsible for meeting every need of their students.

 But when the need directly affects learning, the school must meet the challenge. ~Carnegie Task Force on Education of Young Adolescents (1989)~

Each team is facilitated by a Student Services administrator. Our administrators possess 10+ years of experience in education and hold a master’s degree as well as advanced certification in the areas of counseling, social work, psychology, and health administration. Some have received special training from the Trauma and Loss Institute.

Our goal is not to take over the school or to provide therapy in the school setting. Rather, our teams are available to provide support to the building administrator(s) and Student Services staff assigned to the school. Typically, when a team is called we assist in the following manner – grief counseling, the development of crisis plans and communications, assessment, and referrals. Requests to enact a team must be initiated by the principal and approved by the Executive Director of Student Services. Parents should contact their child’s school for additional information or to seek help for their child.