Who do you call for help when you’re in crisis? Everyone can use extra support in their time of need. When school districts in Clackamas County experience a tragedy like the death of a student or staff member, act of violence or other event that results in a need for social emotional support services, they call Sierra Wilson, Clackamas Education Service District’s crisis prevention and response specialist. 

Sierra coordinates the Clackamas Regional Flight Team, a countywide support network of counselors, psychologists, social workers and others who provide emotional and logistical support to schools following a school crisis.

“We go into schools at the hardest time of people’s lives and provide aftercare, including creating support rooms, bringing in therapy dogs — anything we can do to support the emotional well-being of students and staff in the aftermath of a crisis,” explains Sierra.

No crisis is alike, and having a trained group prepared to respond is critical to beginning the healing process, preventing further harm, and identifying and protecting vulnerable students. 

In addition to training new flight team members, Sierra is a certified Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) trainer.

Since implementation of the Student Success Act, Clackamas ESD has stepped up its mental health and crisis support to schools. In 2021, Clackamas ESD brought together the 10 Clackamas County school districts and key community partners to begin forming the regional flight team. The first cohort of new flight team responders began responding to school crises at the start of the 2022-23 school year and responded to three crises in the first month. The demand for this critical support was clear, and the need for a dedicated flight team coordinator was evident.

Sierra began working at Clackamas ESD as administrative assistant for student services — which includes our mental health and crisis response initiatives — in the summer 2021. Her compassion and previous work experience in a residential treatment facility and emergency homeless services made Sierra an obvious fit for the new crisis prevention and response specialist role.

“I find equipping educators to support students in their grief journey very fulfilling,” Sierra shares. “I see the positive impact having someone who wants to listen and hear what’s going on in their life can have on a struggling student. Our work empowers students to learn well because they learn their best when their whole body and mind are well.”

Sierra’s role supports the Clackamas Regional Flight Team’s life-changing work — but the work has changed her, too.

During the response to the death of an Oregon City student, Sierra was captivated by the therapy dogs in action on the scene. As heads lifted and people began hugging the dogs, she saw the “palpable change in the room.” 

“It was my first time ever seeing therapy dogs in action, and it changed my life,” shares Sierra.

She is now on a Guide Dogs for the Blind training waiting list so she can help others with a therapy dog.

Sierra’s dedication to the Clackamas Regional Flight Team’s mission is clear.

“This year, we had a student pass away,” says Clackamas ESD Special Education Director Jared Hayes. “I called Sierra well after hours to talk through the crisis, and she was so quick and responsive. We gave her some basic information, and the next day while we were all grieving the flight team just ran with the response. This is what it looks like on the ground level to make a call for help and know that you will be well supported.”