Our goal is simple...

Through generous federal funding, as well as partnerships with several South Dakota state agencies, we exist to help schools navigate the world of crisis prevention and response.  We provide professional development and consultation to school districts across South Dakota that are responding to crisis situations or are working to actively prevent them.  We promote physical and psychological safety for students in a variety of crisis situations that impact schools, including: suicide, natural disaster, community and/or targeted violence, and unexpected death.

PREPaRE Workshops

Professional development for school personnel focused on preventing and responding to crisis situations

Virtual Speaker Series

Virtual speaker series available at no cost to South Dakota educators.  


Consultation

We can support your school as you review your safety plans and as you navigate crisis situations.


Partnerships and Resources

We can't do this work alone.  Check out our partners and their resources to help you navigate school safety and crisis response.

 

Dr. kari Oyen

Dr. Kari Oyen is an Associate Professor of School Psychology and the Program Director of the School Psychology Program. Dr. Oyen earned her doctorate in school psychology from the University of South Dakota. Dr. Oyen’s research focuses on risk and protective factors that lead to student outcomes as well as the role of advocacy in public service settings. She also examines the impact of trauma and child maltreatment on student outcomes in rural settings. She engages in quantitative methods to examine the role of rural education and variables that impact a comprehensive role and access to services. Dr. Oyen is the past President of the South Dakota Association of School Psychologists and the Chair of the National Association of School Psychologists Government Professional Relations Committee. Dr. Oyen was on the writing team for the 2020 revision of the NASP practice model. She has published research in School Psychology Review, Psychology in the Schools, The Rural Educator, Contemporary School Psychology, and Psychological Services

Amber Kilburn

Amber Kilburn serves as Assistant Coordinator for South Dakota School Crisis Prevention and Response.  In this role, Amber is responsible for conducting trainings and organizing professional development opportunities for schools and other partners across the state.   Amber is currently pursing her PhD in School Psychology from the University of South Dakota.  Her primary areas of research focus on meeting the needs of twice-exceptional students.  Prior to working at USD, Amber worked for the Sioux City Community School District for seven years as the GEAR UP grant coordinator.  In that role she was able to work with same cohort of 1,100 students from 7th grade to their first year of college.  Amber also has professional experience as a college recruiter and as a community relations director.  In her personal life, Amber is happily married, is the mother of two preteens,  and is also a foster mom.  Amber is passionate about school safety and helping meet the needs of students and of educators.