Free TCI Developing and Using Individual Crisis Management Plans (ICMPs) Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of an Individual Crisis Management Plan (ICMP)?
- To document a child's misbehavior for disciplinary action
- To serve as a legal document in case of an injury
- To provide a proactive plan to prevent and de-escalate crises (Correct answer)
- To replace the need for direct supervision of the child
Correct answer: To provide a proactive plan to prevent and de-escalate crises
The ICMP is fundamentally a proactive tool. Its main goal is to provide a consistent, individualized plan to help staff understand a child's needs and prevent crises from occurring, as well as guide responses when they do.
Question 2: Which of the following is an essential component of a comprehensive ICMP?
- A list of the child's friends
- The child's academic grades
- A list of the child's known triggers and setting conditions (Correct answer)
- The names of all previously assigned caregivers
Correct answer: A list of the child's known triggers and setting conditions
A useful ICMP must identify the specific events, situations, or internal states that typically precede a child's challenging behavior. Knowing these triggers allows staff to implement preventative strategies.
Question 3: Who are the most important participants to include when developing a child's ICMP?
- Only the program administrator and clinical director
- The child, family/guardians, and direct care staff (Correct answer)
- Only the staff members who have witnessed a crisis
- An external behavioral consultant only
Correct answer: The child, family/guardians, and direct care staff
A collaborative approach is key to a successful ICMP. The child (when appropriate), their family/guardians, and the direct care staff who know them best all provide critical perspectives for creating a holistic and effective plan.
Question 4: The section of the ICMP that details strategies to help a child maintain self-control *before* signs of agitation appear is the:
- Reactive Strategies section
- Physical Intervention section
- Post-Crisis Response section
- Proactive Strategies section (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Proactive Strategies section
The most effective interventions happen before a crisis begins. The proactive strategies section outlines what staff can do on a daily basis to meet the child's needs, build skills, and reduce the likelihood of a crisis.
Question 5: When should an ICMP be reviewed and potentially updated?
- Only when a new caregiver is assigned to the child
- On a regular schedule and after any major crisis incident (Correct answer)
- Only at the child's annual case review
- Never, once it has been signed by the clinical director
Correct answer: On a regular schedule and after any major crisis incident
ICMPs are living documents that must adapt to a child's progress and changing needs. A regular review schedule, combined with a review after any significant incident, ensures the plan remains relevant and effective.
Question 6: During a crisis, the main function of the ICMP for the responding caregiver is to:
- Provide a script that must be read verbatim to the child
- Serve as a guide for individualized de-escalation techniques (Correct answer)
- Determine the level of consequence the child will receive
- Be filled out and completed before intervening
Correct answer: Serve as a guide for individualized de-escalation techniques
In the heat of the moment, it can be difficult to think clearly. The ICMP serves as a quick reference guide, reminding staff of the specific, individualized strategies that are most likely to be effective for that particular child, ensuring a consistent team response.
What is the primary purpose of an Individual Crisis Management Plan (ICMP)?