Crisis Protocol Handbook Crisis Protocol Handbook
A Comprehensive Training Guide for Campus Counselors
Texas Edition (SB 12 Compliant)
Texas SB 12: Essential Compliance
SB 12 Required Parental Rights Form
Per the Texas Education Agency (TEA), all school districts must provide parents with the Parental Rights Form and Right to Health-Related Services Information . This is not optional and must be provided before non-emergency mental health services.
Consent Requirements
Prior written consent is required for psychological examinations, tests, or treatments unless there is a clear and immediate risk of self-harm or harm to others.
Right to Refuse
Parents must be informed of their right to refuse any health-related service or mental health screening for their child without penalty.
The Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT)
SRO (Officer)
• De-escalation of physical aggression
• Welfare checks for uncontactable parents
• Legal reporting for criminal activity
• Immediate safety escort for SI/HI
Principal/AP
• Administrative authority for CPS reports
• Coordination of campus-wide response
• Parent notification for disciplinary crises
• Managing campus visitors/law enforcement
School Nurse
• Medical assessment during panic attacks
• Documentation of physical abuse signs
• Medication administration/monitoring
• Emergency medical response (EMS)
Elementary School Scenarios
Crisis Type Key Collaborators Protocol & Action Steps Severe Anxiety / Panic Nurse, Teacher 1. Move to a quiet space. 2. Nurse checks vitals to rule out medical issue. 3. Use grounding (5-4-3-2-1). 4. Contact parent if symptoms persist >20 mins. 5. Provide SB 12 form if suggesting future counseling. Suicidal Ideation (SI) Principal, Parent 1. Supervise 1-on-1. 2. Conduct Columbia Scale. 3. Principal assists in notifying parent. 4. Mandatory parent pick-up. 5. Referral packet with mental health resources provided. CPS / Suspected Abuse Nurse, Principal 1. Interview student (neutral). 2. Nurse documents injuries. 3. Counselor calls CPS/Law Enforcement within 48 hours. 4. Document report #. Do not notify parent until CPS advises. Homelessness (M-V) M-V Liaison, Registrar 1. Interview family privately. 2. Complete Residency Questionnaire. 3. Registrar updates coding. 4. Coordinate with Liaison for backpacks, clothes, and food pantry. Unreachable Parent SRO, Principal 1. Attempt all emergency contacts. 2. Principal authorizes SRO/Officer to conduct home wellness check if safety is a concern or at end-of-day. 3. Document all contact attempts.
Middle School Scenarios
Crisis Type Key Collaborators Protocol & Action Steps Peer Conflict / Bullying Principal (AP), SRO 1. Separate students. 2. AP handles disciplinary consequences/investigation. 3. SRO involved if physical assault/threats occurred. 4. Counselor provides conflict mediation only after stabilization. School Refusal (Acute) SRO, Parent 1. Student refuses to exit car/restroom. 2. SRO provides gentle de-escalation if safe. 3. Counselor identifies triggers. 4. Consult for 504/SPED if attendance is consistently impacted. Self-Harm (NSSI) Nurse, Parent 1. Nurse treats wound. 2. Counselor assesses intent vs. coping. 3. Call parent. 4. Provide SB 12 information regarding community mental health providers. 504/SPED Crisis Ref. 504 Coord, LSSP 1. Student is in constant mental health crisis. 2. Consult LSSP for FIE. 3. 504 Coord schedules meeting. 4. Inform parent of SB 12 rights to request evaluation.
High School Scenarios
Crisis Type Key Collaborators Protocol & Action Steps Substance Use / OD Nurse, SRO, Admin 1. Nurse assesses level of consciousness; calls EMS. 2. SRO manages security/evidence. 3. Admin notifies parents. 4. Counselor follows up for substance support referrals. Imminent Suicide Risk SRO, Principal 1. Student has means/plan. 2. SRO assists in safety protocol. 3. Principal notifies district crisis team. 4. Parent contact is immediate. Provide emergency referral list. Unaccompanied Youth M-V Liaison 1. Student (18+ or emancipated) has no home. 2. Liaison codes as Unaccompanied. 3. Coordinate FAFSA independence status. 4. Connect to local shelters/food programs. Difficulty Reaching Parent Admin, SRO 1. Email, Call, and Text (if permitted). 2. Admin sends "Failure to Contact" letter. 3. SRO visits last known address. 4. Document as part of persistent safety planning.
The SB 12 Parental Contact Rule
While safety is paramount, SB 12 emphasizes that parents are the primary decision-makers for their child's health. In all non-life-threatening cases, parent notification should precede significant mental health intervention.
Contact Parent IMMEDIATELY: Suicide risk, medical emergency, drug use, violent threats.
Contact Parent TIMELY: Anxiety, grief, conflict, academic failure, minor self-harm.
Crisis Protocol Slides Crisis Protocol Training
Navigating Campus Emergencies with Precision and Compliance
SB 12 / Texas Education Code Focus
The Big Change: Texas SB 12
Parental Rights Priority
Parents must be notified of their right to consent to or refuse health/mental health services.
Required Documentation
Districts must provide the standard TEA Parental Rights Form for non-emergency interventions.
Emergency Exception
"Life-safety takes precedence. If the student is an immediate danger to self or others, stabilize first, notify parent immediately after."
Key Takeaway
No screening without notice.
The MDT: Who to Call?
SRO / Officer
• Physical aggression
• Suicidal transport
• Weapons/Drugs
• Welfare Checks
Principal / AP
• CPS reporting
• Disciplinary action
• District resources
• Legal consult
School Nurse
• Panic attack vitals
• Physical abuse signs
• Medical emergencies
• EMS Liaison
Elementary Level Response
Anxiety & Refusal
• Use grounding techniques first.
• Nurse checks for somatic issues.
• Parent contact for pick-up if refusal lasts >1 hour.
CPS & Safety
• Nurse documents physical marks.
• Consult Principal on report details.
• Do NOT alert parent if they are the subject.
Homelessness (McKinney-Vento)
Identify housing status âž” Enroll immediately âž” Connect with District Liaison for transportation and food âž” Coding: "Homeless" is a specific PEIMS code.
Middle School Dynamics
Peer Conflict & Bullying
The Counselor is NOT the disciplinarian.
AP: Discipline & InvestigationCounselor: Restorative & Coping
Self-Harm (NSSI)
Non-Suicidal Self-Injury is common in MS.
1. Assess for suicidal intent.
2. Treat physical injury (Nurse).
3. Call parent (SB 12 Notice).
Scenario Practice Cards Scenario Practice Cards
Cut along the dotted lines. Use in small group training to practice protocol response.
Scenario #1: The Playground Panic ELEMENTARY
The Situation
A 2nd grade student is found hiding under a slide during recess. They are hyperventilating, crying, and refusing to come out. The teacher says this is the third time this week.
"I can't go back in. My chest hurts. Everything is too loud."
Response Guide
Who do you call for a vitals check?
What grounding technique do you use?
At what point do you notify the parent?
How does SB 12 apply if you recommend ongoing anxiety counseling?
Scenario #2: The Journal Entry MIDDLE SCHOOL
The Situation
An English teacher brings you a student's journal. It contains a poem about "not being here next week" and a drawing of a bridge. The student is currently sitting in your office.
"It's just a poem. I was being creative. Why am I in trouble?"
Response Guide
Which assessment tool do you use immediately?
Can you leave the student to talk to the teacher?
Who on the MDT do you inform first?
What are the mandatory steps for parent pick-up?
Scenario #3: The Overnight Parking HIGH SCHOOL
The Situation
The SRO notices a senior student sleeping in their car in the student lot at 6:30 AM. The student admits their parents kicked them out three days ago after a fight about grades.
"I'm 18. I don't need my parents. I just want to graduate."
Response Guide
What is the student's legal status under McKinney-Vento?
Do you need to contact the parents?
Who is the "Liaison" and what do they provide?
How does this affect their FAFSA/College apps?
Scenario #4: The Silent Phone ANY LEVEL
The Situation
A student made a low-level threat of self-harm. You have called both parents four times each. You have emailed and left voicemails. It is now 3:45 PM and the buses are leaving.
"My mom is at work, she can't answer her phone. Just let me go home."
Response Guide
Can you let the student board the bus?
How do you involve the SRO in this moment?
What documentation is required to prove outreach?
What is the definition of a "Wellness Check"?
Training Notes Response Protocol Checklist Crisis Response Desk Reference
Immediate Action Protocol • Texas SB 12 Compliant
POST IN OFFICE
1. Immediate Safety Steps
STABILIZE: Ensure student is physically safe and supervised 1-on-1. Never leave alone.
TRIAGE: Medical Emergency? âž” Call Nurse/EMS. Physical Threat? âž” Call SRO.
ASSESS: Use standardized scale (Columbia for SI, C-SSRS) or threat assessment tool.
NOTIFY: Inform Principal/AP immediately of incident status.
2. Campus Contact Directory
Principal:
SRO / Officer:
Nurse:
M-V Liaison:
504/SPED Coord:
3. SB 12 Compliance Check
Before recommending community services:
Provide TEA Parental Rights Form .
Obtain written consent for non-emergency psych exam.
Inform parent of right to refuse health services.
Provide list of local health-related providers.
4. Parent Contact Log
*No contact after 3 attempts? Notify Admin for SRO Wellness Check.
5. Referral Triggers
McKinney-Vento (Homeless)
Trigger: Loss of housing, double-up, car, or motel stay. Action: Code in SIS immediately; send questionnaire to Liaison.
SPED / 504 Mental Health
Trigger: Mental health crisis impacting learning/attendance >2 weeks. Action: Schedule RTI/Tiered support meeting.
CPS (Chapter 261)
Trigger: Suspected abuse/neglect. Action: Call 1-800-252-5400. Reporting staff must make the call themselves.
DOCUMENTATION KEY
"Describe observed behaviors objectively. Use quotes. Document exactly what was said to parents and when. Note if SB 12 form was received."
Campus Safety Resource Strictly for Internal School Staff Use
