contact
 
 
 
 
Student Support Services Crisis Response
 
If a crisis occurs during the school day and you have need for a Support Team, you should call 733-6100. Anyone who answers the phone, will ask you a series of questions and will activate our system to send a support team to your site to assess the situation.

If the situation occurs after hours or on the weekend, please contact Sandra Calliham and a team will be activated and will be at your site on the next school day.
  • Dr. Sean Alford
    Executive Director
    231-6754
  • Phyllis Cowden
    Coordinator
    231-6752

After a request has been received, the team leader of the area will be notified.

Area I Area II Area III
*Phyllis Cowden / 231-6752
Toni Kelly-Campbell / 733-6108
Fran Moore / 733-6289
*Toni Kelly-Campbell
Fran Moore
Phyllis Cowden
*Fran Moore
Phyllis Cowden
Toni Kelly-Campbell

* = Area Leader

AREA LEADER'S RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Determine the number of people who are involved. Is the crisis confined to a small number of people or is it widespread involving many students and staff?

  • Decide how many sites will need crisis team services, (i.e., schools, hospitals, and home).

  • Determine the number of staff needed to respond. Consideration should be given to staff familiarity with the affected area and specialization.

  • Decide which outside community resources should be contacted.

Mental Health/Counseling Agencies Hospitals
Columbia Area Mental Health Ctr.
737-7399
Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital
434-7561
Palmetto Poison Information
765-7359
Palmetto Baptist Hospital
296-5010
Contact HELP (24-hr. service)
790-4357
Providence Hospital
256-5320
Moncrief Army Hospital
751-2169
  • Contact the Student Support Services Team. Direct staff to a general meeting place once they arrive on site, (i.e. conference room guidance area, etc.), and remind staff to have their I.D badges.

  • Notify other Student Support Services Team leaders to be on alert.

  • Gather necessary resources - Crisis Manual, etc.

  • Make contact with the Area Superintendent, Principal, and Executive Director of Student Support Services, to apprise them of the plan and to receive further directions as appropriate.

Site Team

A site team will be composed of:

  • Guidance Counselor
  • Nurse
  • Social Worker
  • Psychologist

The designated team leader will do an initial assessment and make a decision as to whether other staff is needed. The Executive Director of Student Support Services will be notified and updated on the crisis.

Site Team Duties

  • Gather information and determine the facts.
  • Conduct a "briefing" session with all necessary parties i.e., principals, administrators, counselors, psychologists, nurses, social workers and others.
  • Determine the target population(s) and develop an intervention plan.
  • Identify and collaborate with needed and related resources (i.e., law enforcement, mental health, etc.)
  • Assist the principal and/or administration with the development of written statements and/or letters to faculty/staff members, students, and parents.
  • Provide assistance to faculty/staff members and parents.
  • Provide counseling for students and adults.
  • Provide material resources such as hand-outs for teachers, administrators, and parents.
  • Facilitate referral services for individuals
  • Conduct a "debriefing" session with all necessary parties.
  • Develop a plan for follow-up.