Crisis Services

Crisis Intervention for Students

A crisis is a traumatic or overwhelming event that creates uncertainty, distress, or disruption for students, staff, and school communities. Crises are often unpredictable and may require immediate, coordinated action to prevent further harm or breakdown.

Intermediate Unit 1 (IU1) provides crisis intervention and postvention support to help schools respond effectively and support recovery following critical incidents.

Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)

IU1 has established a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) to respond to a wide range of school and community-based emergencies. The team provides rapid, coordinated, and effective support, working closely with each school district and existing resources.

The CIT is composed of master’s-level licensed school certified social workers with strong mental health and educational backgrounds and crisis certification.

Situations Supported Include:

• Death of a student or staff member
• Suicide or suicide-related incidents
• Natural or environmental disasters
• School-wide threats
• Individual student emergencies
• Other critical or traumatic incidents

Eligibility & Cost

Eligible Schools: All school districts in Fayette, Greene, and Washington Counties

Cost: There is no fee for Crisis Intervention Team services

Districts may access CIT services as often as needed during the school year

Crisis Resources & Templates

IU1 provides sample documents to assist schools during and after a crisis, including:

Sample Parent Letters

• Suicide
• Death of a Student, Staff Member, or Family Member
• Natural Disaster or Community Tragedy

Sample Announcements

• General Crisis Communication
• Suicide
• Death of a Student

Additional Resources

• Guidelines for talking with students after a suicide
• Classroom discussion examples
• Crisis prevention tips
• Emergency procedures and forms

(Documents available in PDF format)

Contact Procedures

To activate the Crisis Intervention Team, please contact: