Our schools exist to impart knowledge, foster growth and nurture young minds. Yet there are times when the unexpected occurs, necessitating a different kind of support in the wake of a traumatic event.
This is where the Orange County Department of Education’s Crisis Response Network steps in, offering a helping hand to educational communities in their most challenging moments.
Since its inception in 2008, the CRN has been a pillar of strength and comfort for Orange County’s students, schools and families during and after critical incidents. In the 2022-23 school year, this team provided direct assistance to nearly 800 students and 1,000 school staff members. They’re on pace to expand their impact in the current school year, already reaching nearly 600 students and more than 450 school staff members.
What sets the CRN apart is not just the dedication of its trained crisis responders but also their approach. They tackle every circumstance with the utmost compassion, professionalism and care, embracing proven intervention protocols. It’s this commitment that makes their service an essential part of mitigating the long-term psychological impacts of traumatic incidents, helping our schools return to the business of teaching and learning.
I’m proud to share that their work hasn’t gone unnoticed. In November, the California School Boards Association formally honored OCDE’s Crisis Response Network with its prestigious Golden Bell Award in the category of “Innovation in a Time of Crises.”
Now in its 44th year, CSBA’s Golden Bell promotes excellence in education and school board governance by spotlighting the most effective programs and practices throughout the state. These are the 2023 Golden Bell Award winners from Orange County by category:
- Career Technical Education: Capistrano Unified’s Career Technical Education (CTE) Program, Capistrano Unified School District and College and Career Advantage (CCA)
- Closing the Opportunity Gap: Graduation Coach Program, Newport-Mesa Unified School District
- Curriculum and Instruction: West Orange Elementary School’s Mathematics Academy, Orange Unified School District
- English Learners/Biliteracy: Dual Language Immersion Academy, Anaheim Elementary School District
- Innovation in a Time of Crises: Crisis Response Network, Orange County Department of Education
- Social/Emotional Health/Wellness: ASPIRE System of Care, Garden Grove Unified School District
- Student Support Services: Counseling And Resource Enhancement (C.A.R.E.), Lowell Joint School District
- Systems of Support: La Vista/La Sierra High Schools’ Academy course, Fullerton Joint Union High School District
As we celebrate these extraordinary programs, including OCDE’s own Crisis Response Network, we recognize the profound impact they have on our students’ lives and futures. And they exemplify what is special about our schools and districts.
Working together, Orange County continues to set a standard for excellence and innovation, ensuring our schools remain places of inspiration, support and growth.
OCDE’s Crisis Response Network offers pre-incident and crisis management trainings to Orange County schools and community-based personnel at no cost. For more information, contact the CRN team at crn@ocde.us.