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State of Arkansas 1
95th General Assembly 2
Regular Session, 2025 HR 1027 3
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By: Representatives Cozart, Barker, Vaught 5
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HOUSE RESOLUTION 8
TO EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR THE CRISIS RECOVERY NETWORK 9
COORDINATED BY THE SOUTHERN REGIONAL EDUCATION BOARD; 10
TO EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR ARKANSAS'S PARTICIPATION IN 11
THE CRISIS RECOVERY SUPPORT NETWORK; AND TO RECOGNIZE 12
THE CRISIS RECOVERY SUPPORT NETWORK AS A TRUSTED 13
SUPPORT FOR ARKANSAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND INSTITUTIONS 14
OF HIGHER EDUCATION. 15
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Subtitle 18
TO EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR ARKANSAS'S 19
PARTICIPATION IN THE CRISIS RECOVERY 20
SUPPORT NETWORK COORDINATED BY THE 21
SOUTHERN REGIONAL EDUCATION BOARD. 22
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WHEREAS, after natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods, 24
following school shooting events, and during the course of public 25
emergencies, recovery must be prioritized as a long -term process rather than 26
an immediate, short-term response process; and 27
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WHEREAS, states, school districts, and postsecondary institutions have 29
focused on crisis prevention and management, but may not have the capacity to 30
provide sustained support for students, teachers, communities, and even their 31
own counselors during the recovery stage following a crisis; and 32
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WHEREAS, rural schools and postsecondary institutions in particular tend to 34
have fewer counselors and limited access to additional counseling resources; 35
and 36 HR1027
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WHEREAS, school counselors are often expected to respond to student needs 2
after a crisis, even as they themselves grapple with the emotional toll 3
following a crisis, which underscores the need for external support for the 4
entire school community; and 5
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WHEREAS, schools and postsecondary institutions affected by a crisis may 7
require at least one (1) year of dedicated support to fully recover following 8
the crisis; and 9
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WHEREAS, recovery efforts following a crisis can strain resources that are 11
already stretched thin, given that a National Center for Education Statistics 12
study showed than less than one -half (1/2) of public schools surveyed believe 13
that their school is able to provide mental health services to all students 14
who are in need; and 15
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WHEREAS, crisis recovery is an extended healing process for students and 17
adults alike, and having additional counselors come to the aid of a school or 18
postsecondary institution in extreme need supports the healing process of all 19
people in an affected community, including teachers and counselors at an 20
affected school or postsecondary institution; and 21
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WHEREAS, specialized training for counselors is essential to ensure that the 23
counselors have psychological first aid training and can provide counseling 24
that aligns with the unique needs of an educational environment; and 25
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WHEREAS, research shows that students who receive adequate support after a 27
crisis are more likely to succeed academically, remain in school, and 28
contribute positively to society; and 29
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WHEREAS, the Southern Regional Education Board, with its seventy -five-year 31
history of partnering with states to improve education, is uniquely equipped 32
to lead this effort because of its ability to mobilize key education and 33
policymaking stakeholders at all levels, 34
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NOW THEREFORE, 36 HR1027
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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY -FIFTH GENERAL 1
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS: 2
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THAT the Southern Regional Education Board, in close collaboration with 4
governors' offices, state education agencies, local schools, and 5
postsecondary institutions, will complement existing school and school 6
district crisis management efforts by focusing on long -term healing and 7
psychological resilience by deploying counselors with specialized training to 8
schools and postsecondary institutions in extreme need. 9
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Southern Regional Education Board will hire a 11
coordinator for the Crisis Recovery Support Network and cover travel costs 12
for counselors during the training and deployment processes. 13
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT to meet the urgent need for a coordinated, 15
region-wide effort to provide a consistent, long -term counseling capacity 16
that is ready to deploy immediately after a crisis, the House of 17
Representatives support the Southern Regional Education Board Crisis Recovery 18
Support Network. 19
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT upon adoption, a copy of this resolution shall be 21
provided to the Southern Regional Education Board by the Chief Clerk of the 22
House of Representatives. 23
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