2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26102344D

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 4

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled January 13, 2026

Expressing support for participation by Virginia in the Southern Regional Education Board's Crisis Recovery Support Network.

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Patron—Cherry

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Referred to Committee on Rules

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WHEREAS, individuals who have experienced a public emergency, mass casualty event, or natural disaster, such as a catastrophic hurricane, tornado, or flood, may require months or even years of counseling to fully recover from the psychological trauma of the incident; and

WHEREAS, while educational institutions often prioritize crisis prevention and management, many schools, especially schools in underserved rural areas, lack the resources to provide long-term counseling and support after an immediate crisis has been resolved; and

WHEREAS, in addition, local school counselors may themselves be affected by the emotional toll of a crisis situation, making it difficult for them to adequately support their fellow members of a school community in the recovery process; and

WHEREAS, established in 1948, the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) coordinates with state agencies, school districts, college campuses, and other stakeholders in 16 states across the southern United States to enhance the delivery of education at every level; and

WHEREAS, SREB recently established the Crisis Recovery Support Network to provide additional counseling resources for school communities that have been affected by a tragedy, offering long-term emotional and mental health services for students, teachers, and staff in the wake of public emergencies and crisis situations; and

WHEREAS, the SREB Crisis Recovery Support Network aims to provide specialized training to counselors across the region, who will be deployed as needed, ensuring that all schools in member states, including schools in underserved rural areas, have access to sustained professional treatment for psychological trauma; and

WHEREAS, students who receive adequate support after a crisis are more likely to remain in school, succeed academically, and make positive contributions to their communities; and

WHEREAS, with its decades of experience and demonstrated ability to mobilize key education officials and stakeholders, SREB is uniquely suited to lead this effort and strengthen school communities throughout the Commonwealth and the region; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby express support for participation by Virginia in the Southern Regional Education Board's Crisis Recovery Support Network to meet the urgent need for coordinated, region-wide effort to provide consistent, long-term counseling capacity that is ready to deploy after a crisis is managed; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates transmit a copy of this resolution to the Southern Regional Education Board requesting that the organization further disseminate copies of this resolution to their respective constituents so that they may be apprised of the sense of the House of Delegates in this matter.