About Us
What is NASCR and How Did it Start?
By Michelle Strain, NASCR Executive Director and Founder
As a leader of school crisis response in my state, I attended a national conference in 2022 and went to a session on school crisis. The information was helpful but not what I really wanted or needed.
After some reflection, I knew I wanted and needed to hear from other state-level crisis responders about their programs and best practices. So I got the idea to create this alliance.
As the alliance has grown, It has become clear there Is a need for the services NASCR hopes to provide. We have more than half the states In the U.S. represented by NASCR members. We are working to build resources, make technical assistance available to school crisis responders, and provide evidenced-based training to school crisis responders.
The Alliance received their federal 501c3 non-profit status in March. This opens up avenues for grant writing and fundraising to expand out services. Initial membership was free to the Alliance. As more services, resources, and other advantages are offered, there will be a membership fee.
One thing I know we can all agree on is there is nothing quite like school crisis response. School crisis response has unique challenges and requires unique preparation, response and recovery. I feel fortunate to join us all together in an effort to make each of our teams better.
For more Information about the Alliance, contact Founder Michelle Strain at michelle@schoolcrisisresponders.org or 405-659-7078.
Michelle Strain, LPC
National Alliance of School Crisis Responders Executive Director
National Alliance of School Crisis Responders Executive Director
Michelle has experience leading crisis response at a state level in Oklahoma. She is a licensed school counselor and an Oklahoma Licensed Professional Counselor. She has served as a middle school counselor, high school counselor, district-wide student advocate and counseling director in public schools in Oklahoma.
Michelle is a passionate advocate for crisis response and believes in the motto, "do no harm" when responding. She has trained thousands of educators and community members in effective best practices in areas of prevention, crisis, multi-tiered system of supports, counseling and more.
Michelle is a PREPaRE Crisis Prevention and Intervention Trainer, and has been a trainer in Mental Health First Aid for Youth, Lifelines Suicide Prevention, Signs of Suicide, QPR, and other prevention and intervention programs.
Michelle has a Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Master's Degree in Human Relations, both from the University of Oklahoma. She starts her doctorate in educational leadership and administration at Southern Nazarene University in July 2023. The focus of her dissertation will be on school crisis response.
To contact Michelle, e-mail her at michelle@schoolcrisisresponders.org or call her at 405-659-7078.