Legacy Haven Academy Emergency Response Plan

1. Introduction and Purpose

Legacy Haven Academy Foundation (the "Academy") is committed to providing a safe, nurturing environment for youth ages 10-18 who are orphans or homeless, fostering their academic, emotional, and physical growth through hands-on learning, mentorship, and outdoor adventure programs. This Emergency Response Plan (the "EOP") serves as a comprehensive crisis plan to ensure the protection of students, staff, and visitors during emergencies, while integrating trauma-informed care principles based on the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) framework. The EOP expands protocols for outdoor and adventure activities to mitigate risks inherent in such programs and promotes resilience-building in alignment with the Academy's mission of hope, purpose, and reimagined futures.

This EOP complies with Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) § 15-341(A)(31), which mandates an emergency operations plan (EOP) for each school site meeting minimum state requirements developed by the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) and the Division of Emergency Management (Arizona Department of Education [ADE], 2019). It also aligns with Mohave County Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) requirements for educational institutions, emphasizing coordination with local agencies for all-hazards response (Mohave County, 2023). For future 501(c)(3) compliance, the EOP incorporates Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidelines on disaster relief documentation and public benefit, ensuring activities serve an indefinite charitable class without private inurement (Internal Revenue Service [IRS], 2006). Trauma-informed elements draw from best practices for ACE-aware education (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2014).

2. Scope

This EOP applies to all Academy operations, including on-campus activities, off-site outdoor adventures, and virtual/remote learning scenarios. It covers natural disasters (e.g., floods, wildfires), human-caused incidents (e.g., active threats), medical emergencies, and behavioral crises exacerbated by trauma. For youth with high ACE scores, responses prioritize safety, trust, and empowerment to prevent re-traumatization (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2023).

3. Definitions

• Emergency: Any event requiring immediate action to prevent loss of life, injury, or property damage, per Arizona State Emergency Response and Recovery Plan (Arizona Division of Emergency and Military Affairs [DEMA], 2022).
• Crisis: A perceived threat to psychological or physical equilibrium, often linked to ACEs such as abuse or neglect (Felitti et al., 1998, as cited in CDC, 2023).
• Trauma-Informed Care (TIC): An approach recognizing trauma's prevalence and avoiding re-traumatization through safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment (SAMHSA, 2014).
• Outdoor/Adventure Protocols: Risk mitigation for activities like hiking or team challenges, compliant with Arizona child care health and safety standards (Arizona Department of Health Services [ADHS], 2023).

4. Roles and Responsibilities

• Director of Training Operations: Oversees EOP implementation and annual review; ensures IRS-compliant documentation of relief activities (IRS, 2024a).
• Crisis Response Coordinator (CRC): Leads activation of EOP; coordinates with Mohave County Emergency Management (Mohave County, 2023); integrates TIC in debriefs.
• Staff/Mentors: Execute immediate response actions; conduct ACE screening and apply de-escalation techniques using TIC principles (National Child Traumatic Stress Network [NCTSN], 2017).
• Students: Follow emergency protocols; report concerns via anonymous channels to foster trust (SAMHSA, 2014).
• External Partners: Collaborate with Mohave County Sheriff's Office and local hospitals; participate in annual joint drills per A.R.S. § 15-341 (ADE, 2019).

5. General Emergency Procedures

5.1 Activation and Notification

• Activate EOP via "Code [Type]" (e.g., Code Red for threats) announced discreetly to avoid panic.
• Notify 911, Mohave County Emergency Management (928-753-0721), and CRC immediately.
• Use redundant communication: two-way radios and backup phones (ADE, 2019).

5.2 Evacuation and Shelter-in-Place

• Evacuation: Follow mapped routes; account for mobility needs; assemble at rally point (Mohave County, 2023).
• Shelter-in-Place: Seal rooms; provide quiet spaces for trauma-sensitive calming (NCTSN, 2017).
• Headcount: Instructor staff conduct counts with a 1:6 staff-to-student ratio; cohorts remain together throughout; document via paper rosters.

5.3 Medical Emergencies

• First aid kits stocked per ADHS standards (ADHS, 2023); AED on-site.
• For ACE-related triggers (e.g., panic attacks), apply TIC: Offer choice in interventions (e.g., grounding techniques) (SAMHSA, 2014).

5.4 Lockdown/Active Threat

• Run-Hide-Fight protocol adapted for youth: Emphasize hiding with peer support to build resilience (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2013, as cited in ADE, 2019).
• Post-incident: Mandatory counseling with TIC focus (Arizona Auditor General, 2024).

6. Crisis Management and Trauma-Informed Response

6.1 ACE Framework Integration

All responses embed TIC to address ACEs (e.g., household dysfunction, violence), recognizing their impact on learning and behavior (CDC, 2023). Staff screen for ACEs annually via validated tools, ensuring confidentiality and voluntary participation (NCTSN, 2017).

6.2 Behavioral Crisis Protocols

• De-escalation: Use collaborative language (e.g., "What do you need right now?"); avoid power struggles (SAMHSA, 2014).
• Suicide/Self-Harm: Immediate isolation-free intervention; connect to Arizona Crisis Line (1-844-534-HOPE).
• Reintegration: Personalized plans with mentorship to restore empowerment (NCTSN, 2017).

6.3 Post-Crisis Debrief and Recovery

• Within 24 hours: Group processing with opt-out for privacy; document for IRS compliance if relief aid provided (IRS, 2024b).
• Long-term: Resilience-building via mentorship and structured activities (NCTSN, 2017).

7. Outdoor and Adventure Protocols

Outdoor programs build resilience but require expanded safety measures per Arizona child care rules (ADHS, 2023) and Bureau of Land Management guidelines for youth wilderness therapy (U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management [BLM], 2008).

7.1 Pre-Activity Planning

• Risk Assessment: Evaluate weather, terrain; ratio 1:6 staff-to-student for ages 10-18.
• Permissions: Parental/guardian consent; medical clearances noting ACE-related vulnerabilities.
• Equipment: Checked per ADHS standards (e.g., helmets, first aid) (ADHS, 2023).

7.2 During Activity

• Buddy System: Paired by age/ability; TIC check-ins (e.g., "Scale of 1-10, how safe do you feel?").
• Emergency Response: Satellite phone for remote areas; evacuation via pre-planned routes (Mohave County, 2023).
• Environmental Hazards: Hydration mandates; wildlife protocols.

7.3 Post-Activity

• Debrief: Reflect on growth; address trauma triggers (e.g., isolation fears) with journaling or art (NCTSN, 2017).
• Incident Reporting: Log all near-misses for continuous improvement.

8. Training, Drills, and Evaluation

• Annual Training: All staff complete 8-hour TIC certification (SAMHSA, 2014) and EOP drills (ADE, 2019).
• Drills: Quarterly full-scale (e.g., evacuation); table-top for crises; include outdoor scenarios.
• Evaluation: Post-drill surveys; annual audit by CRC, with Mohave County input (Arizona Auditor General, 2024).

9. Plan Review and Updates

Review annually or post-incident; amendments approved by Board.

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