The Public School System’s Mental Health Program successfully conducted a crisis preparedness training on Rota on March 3-4, 2025.
PSS photo
AS part of its commitment to mental health preparedness and school safety across all islands, the Public School System’s Mental Health Program successfully conducted the NASP PREPaRE Workshop 1 training on Rota on March 3-4, 2025. Led by a team of NASP PREPaRE-certified trainers, this initiative ensures that educators and school staff are fully equipped to respond effectively to crises, reinforcing a proactive and well-prepared school community. This effort expands the number of trained crisis responders and allows for localized adaptations that address Rota’s specific needs
NASP PREPaRE Workshop 1 is a nationally recognized school crisis prevention and preparedness training developed by the National Association of School Psychologists. It provides participants with proven strategies to assess risk, develop crisis response plans, and strengthen school-wide safety frameworks. By delivering this training directly to Rota, PSS Mental Health is bridging critical gaps in crisis readiness, ensuring that every school — regardless of location — has the resources to effectively respond to crises and reduce the trauma impact on its students and staff.
Historically, this training has been conducted in Saipan, limiting participation for Rota-based crisis team members due to logistical challenges. Recognizing Rota’s unique vulnerabilities, including limited access to mental health specialists, related service providers, and delayed emergency response times, the PSS Mental Health Program made a decisive move to bring this essential training to the island. This effort expands the number of trained crisis responders and allows for localized adaptations that address Rota’s specific needs.
Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho emphasized the importance of equipping educators with the necessary skills to support students and staff in times of crisis. “Ensuring that our educators are prepared not only to respond to crises but also to mitigate the long-term effects of trauma is vital to the well-being of our students, staff, and school communities. These trainings provide our educators with the tools and knowledge to navigate emergencies with confidence and compassion, reinforcing our commitment to safe, supportive, and resilient learning environments,” said Dr. Camacho.
The training was facilitated by Frank Lee Borja, Janice Muna, Dr. Jennifer Maratita, and Marvin Tamangided — all certified NASP PREPaRE trainers from the PSS Mental Health Program. A total of 17 educators and staff from Sinapalo Elementary School and Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior-Senior High School participated, strengthening their ability to implement evidence-based crisis response strategies and foster safer school environments.
Sinapalo Elementary School Vice Principal Juana Atalig highlighted the training’s impact, stating: “This training enhances crisis response by reinforcing preparedness, communication, and collaboration. It shifted my perspective from reaction to prevention. School safety is our collective responsibility, and through vigilance, planning, and a culture of care, we can ensure a secure learning environment for all.”
Dr. Rita Hocog Junior-Senior High School Librarian Nelia Llana and PREPaRE participant echoed the importance of crisis communication: “One of the most valuable lessons I learned was the significance of timely and clear communication during a crisis. Effective crisis response isn’t just about technology — it requires thorough planning, continuous training, and a commitment to preparedness. I love learning these skills, but I hope we never need to use them — because that would mean no crisis or disaster.”
PSS Mental Health remains dedicated in its mission to strengthen crisis response capabilities across the Northern Marianas. Future workshops and resources will continue to be made available to all islands, ensuring that every school has the tools and expertise to handle emergencies effectively.
For updates on upcoming training sessions and mental health resources, follow @haligi.aware on Instagram or PSS Mental Health on Facebook and YouTube.