Office of Safety and Youth Development

Resources for School Officials

To assist schools in providing support to students who may experience anxiety or fear as a result of the events at Sandy Hook Elementary School or may wish to talk about it with an adult, please see the Crisis Support Resources page at the Principal's Portal.

Resources  For Parents

To assist parents in providing support to children who may experience anxiety or fear as a result of the events at Sandy Hook Elementary School or may wish to talk about it, please see the following guidance documents:

Crisis Management with Children and Adolescents: Information Guide for Parents and Caregivers (Center for School Mental Health in collaboration with the Maryland School Mental Health Alliance)

Tips for Parents to Help Children Manage Distress After School Shootings (American Psychological Association)

Helping Your Child Cope with a Traumatic Event: Guide for Parents

Prepare, Respond, Recover's Guide on Recognizing Stress in Children (Prepare, Respond, Recover)

Navigating Children's Grief (Children's Grief Education Association)

Talking with Children When the Talking Gets Tough (Purdue University)

Parenting Press Looks at National Violence

National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
    • Guidelines for Parents Helping Youth After the Recent Shooting
    • Talking to Children About the Shooting

Coping With a Disaster or Traumatic Event (The Center for Disease Control and Prevention)

Managing Strong Emotional Reactions to Traumatic Events: Tips for Parents and Teachers (National Association of School Psychologists)

Caring for Kids After Trauma, Disaster and Death: A Guide for Parents and Professionals (New York University's Child Study Center)

Helping Children Exposed to Shocking Events (Hand in Hand)