Crisis Manual

What People Are Saying About the Book

Marilyn Meberg – Women of Faith Speaker, Author, Psychotherapist

“I met Sandy just weeks after the Columbine tragedy. Her counseling skills and persistent commitment to the students and parents of that grief-stricken community moved me deeply. She rose to the challenge then and she has done so again by carefully organizing a step-by-step program for future crisis situations. The premise of this manual is that when the adults in charge know what to do and everyone has a designated job in the midst of a crisis, then stress and anxiety are decreased, fewer mistakes are made, the aftereffects are lessened, and lives are saved. This is a helpful and hopeful book; an absolute necessity for youth groups and Christian schools. Actually, I think the scope of this manual encopmpasses the needs of all groups beginning with families of two or more.”

Brian Larson – Youth Pastor, Crow Hill Bible Church, Bailey, CO
“I utilized this book following a school shooting in my town in Colorado, and it gave me the confidence and calm assurance necessary to face the numerous challenges following the horrible crisis. We live in an increasingly crisis-ridden society, and effective crisis management is not just important it is essential. This book effectively provides leaders with the tools necessary to face the unexpected challenges of a crisis.”

Randy Goldsmith – High School Principal, Arkansas Baptist High School
“I have attended multiple workshops concerning crisis management in schools. Sandy has done a wonderful job of taking the most important information about this subject and compiling it into an easy to understand format. Our most precious resource is our people. This book outlines how you can develop an effective crisis management plan.  I highly recommend this book to both school and church administrators.”

Debbie Jensen – Guidance Counselor, Scottsdale Christian Academy, Phoenix, AZ
“Our school has had a Crisis Management Plan in place for many years. Yet, after attending one of Sandy Austin’s classes, we realized it was in great need of being fine tuned. Using the practical ideas Sandy has learned through her first-hand dealings with school crises, we now believe we are better prepared to provide the protection needed

and will be able restore our school to normal functioning should a crisis occur that affects our campus. Sandy’s ideas such as having “go box” and uniform folders for all personnel are important aspects of having a crisis plan that runs smoothly. These are just two of the very valuable tools Sandy describes in this practical and informative book. Sandy goes beyond what needs to be done and by whom during the crisis and immediately following it, to the long-term after care needed for students and responders, which is too often overlooked in many crisis plans. If your school or youth group does not have a crisis plan, this book will give you valuable information to create one. If you do have a crisis plan, this book will give you additional tools to improve to your plan.”

Craig Parrott – Spiritual Director and Senior Counselor, Denver Lutheran High School
“Sandy Austin’s Crisis Manual for Christian Schools and Church Youth Workers is a must resource to have at your fingertips in your church and school. Not only does it provide a response plan for the large-scale crisis such as Columbine, but it also prepares a community for the more likely scenarios of deaths, accidents, and natural disasters. Sandy’s counseling experience in such events has equipped her to share this step-by-step manual with the hope of leading those facing confusion and chaos in crisis with compassion, care, and clarity. May God be glorified and future victims blessed by this work.”