Center for Safe and Resilient Schools and Workplaces

This School Principal’s Day we are honoring the principal of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and CSR partner, Michelle Kefford. Her unique real-world experience of creating healing and trauma-informed environments is reflected in her school community every day. We are grateful for her willingness to share her knowledge and perspective as a part of our team of School Safey Consultants.

Michelle was selected as Principal of the Year for Broward County Public Schools in 2018, was inducted into the Broward Education Hall of Fame and was selected as Florida Principal of the Year in 2019. She was the 2020 NASSP (National Association of Secondary School Principals) Principal of the Year and selected as a finalist for the 2021 NASSP Principal of the Year. She is also the curriculum developer for our Moving Forward Together training to help support school administrators following a major crisis.

To learn more about Michelle’s work with our center, visit our website: https://lnkd.in/gCuD4SGx

Sometimes, the most heroic acts come from the most unexpected places. 💫

In the aftermath of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, a shaken school community searched for stability and care. It wasn’t only trained professionals who stepped up to support the kindergarten students sheltered in the basement; it was also a cafeteria worker.

Without hesitation, she gathered the children, offering calm, reassurance, and a steady presence in a moment of fear. No formal training. Just instinct, compassion, and humanity. And it made all the difference.

Her actions didn’t go unnoticed. Dr. Marleen Wong, who was later asked to lead recovery efforts in Oklahoma City, was so moved by this story that she helped develop a school-based model of Psychological First Aid; equipping everyday staff, from teachers to cafeteria workers, with the tools to support students through crisis. ❤️‍🩹

In honor of School Lunch Hero Day, we honor that woman, and the countless unsung heroes like her working behind the scenes every day.

Learn more about their experience here:

LinkedIn

We’re excited to spotlight the incredible work happening at Lancaster School District! 🎉Earlier this month, over 800 staff members across 22 elementary schools were trained in trauma-responsive de-escalation practices, a powerful step toward creating safer, more supportive, and more understanding learning environments for every student. 💛

By investing in trauma-informed practices, Lancaster’s educators are strengthening relationships, building resilience, and ensuring students feel seen, heard, and valued every single day.

This is what commitment to whole-child education looks like! 👏

We are looking forward to presenting next week at the 2025 Annual Advancing School Mental Health Conference in Orlando, Florida! If you are planning to attend, join one of our sessions listed below or stop by our booth!

Session Dates and Times: 🗓️
TIPS: Trauma-Informed Parenting Strategies: Building Childhood Resilience through Caregiver Support, Tuesday, December 2, 2:50pm-4:20pm

Parkland 7 Years Later: From Anguish to Advocacy. School Mental Health Services and the Role of Kinship along the Milestones, December 3, 4:50pm-5:30pm

Psychological First Aid: TEACH: A Crisis Response Approach for K-12 Educators, Thursday, December 4, 9am-12pm

Trauma-Responsive Leadership: Replacing Old School Leadership Styles with Brain-Based Approaches, Thursday, December 4, 9am-12pm

See you there! ☀️

Join us this October for our Fall School Safety Series!

Over the course of three weeks—October 7, 14, and 21, 2025—you will walk the path of recovery alongside three trauma-responsive learning experts who have led school communities through the unimaginable: mass school shootings. Each session will explore how lived experience shapes the way we show up, support others, and lead with authenticity and empathy. Sessions are 45 minutes in length, followed by 15 minutes of Q&A to deepen reflection and dialogue.

Register for the event and learn more about each session here: https://lnkd.in/gUehRNCH

As our students return to the classroom, it is heartbreaking to witness the return of violence alongside them. Our hearts are with all those affected by the recent shooting at Annunciation Church and School in Minneapolis. Our nation continues to endure the pain of senseless acts of violence, particularly within our schools which should be sanctuaries for learning and growth. We stand in solidarity with the Minneapolis community in their grief, and we remain unwavering in our commitment to ensuring that every child has the safe, nurturing environment they deserve.

For any trauma-informed and school safety resources, our website is below:
https://lnkd.in/g5S3FNXr

Center for Safe & Resilient Schools and Workplaces Adversity and trauma leave students, teachers, schools, and communities behind if not addressed. Responding comprehensively to the risks and impacts, The Center for Safe and Resilient Schools provides a range of trainings and consultations that deliver research-tested interventions and programs to s...

⏰️ We still have spots remaining for the upcoming September live-virtual CBITS & Bounce Back trainings! Registration below!

Registration Open for LIVE CBITS & Bounce Back Trainings! Join us for Back-to-School...

On August 1st, one of the Center's co-founders, Dr. Marleen Wong, was honored at LAUSD’s 40th anniversary celebration of the first school-based crisis teams in the nation. The day recognized the decades of tireless work by dedicated crisis team professionals supporting students, schools, and communities through moments of trauma and challenge.

In a moving tribute, LAUSD announced the creation of an annual award in Dr. Wong’s name: The Dr. Marleen Wong Outstanding Crisis Team Member Award — a legacy that will continue to inspire excellence in school-based crisis response.



https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNgiMP-MUcF/?igsh=MXBvcjZlMGUzZnV4Zg==

At @LASchools, no student ever faces a crisis alone. For more than 40 years, our Crisis Response Team has been a steady source of care, hope, and healing—helping generations of students and families find strength in difficult times. We salute their compassion, their stewardship, and the transformative work they continue to bring to our school communities every day.

🧠💚 Today is Children’s Mental Health Day! 💚🧠
Let’s shine a light on the importance of nurturing young minds. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and every child deserves a safe space to express themselves, feel heard, and be supported.

💬 Talk.
👂 Listen.
🤝 Support.

Together, we can build a future where every child feels seen, strong, and emotionally empowered.

🧠💚May is Mental Health Awareness Month💚🧠
Your mental health matters — every day, every moment.

This month, let's break the silence, end the stigma, and support one another with compassion and understanding. Whether you're struggling or supporting someone who is, know that you're not alone.
🌿 Check in on yourself.
💬 Reach out to others.
💪 Ask for help when you need it.

Together, we can build a world where mental wellness is a priority for all.

We are excited to share our Co-founder, Vivien Villaverde MS SW, PPSC, LCSW's latest article in EdSurge!

After California's recent fires, the Center for Safe and Resilient Schools and Workplaces, trained educators in Pasadena Unified School District, and volunteers from the Los Angeles County Office of Education, in PFA-TEACH, a disaster response adapted for schools to deal with the lingering psychological pain after a tragedy.

"Educators are compassionate and want to help students and know when they are struggling, Villaverde, says. ..."But without formal training, it’s difficult to grasp how trauma hinders learning. It can lead to a student’s inability to regulate their emotions being mislabeled as behavioral problems. Students themselves might not fully comprehend what’s happening inside their heads. It’s important for the adults within the school to pause and ask what’s going on."

Read the full article here:

In an Era of Natural Disasters, Can Schools Double Down On Trauma Training? - EdSurge News With natural disasters becoming more common, should schools double down on efforts to prepare teachers for handling trauma? With federal uncertainty, ...