ProResponse®
United Educators (UE) offers specialized expertise when you need it most.
We recognize the tremendous impact a tragedy or crisis can have on a school or campus. Expert guidance can be invaluable in helping to protect your institution’s reputation while you focus on recovery and managing operational and legal aspects of the crisis.
In alignment with our Cool Head, Warm Heart® philosophy — a recognition that responding to a tragedy requires a rational approach to legal matters and a thoughtful appreciation for the emotional trauma of the circumstance — we offer ProResponse®, a supplemental crisis response program.
ProResponse® may be available to members that carry educators legal liability (ELL) plus any form of general liability (GL) coverage OR public school districts that carry school board legal liability (SBL) and public school liability (PSL) coverage.
ProResponse® services may not be available or may be limited for purchasing groups, consortiums, or K-12 public risk sharing pools. ProResponse® benefits don’t have to be tied to a liability occurrence or wrongful act by the institution. They cover up to $75,000 in expenses, per guidelines below (effective April 1, 2017), for:
- Crisis communications
- Trauma/grief counseling
- Sexual misconduct investigation
- Threat assessment case consultation
ProResponse® Benefits: Quick Guide
This chart explains when and how to access ProResponse® benefits and when to notify UE.
Crisis Communications Services
Crisis communications services are available to manage media relations in unusual situations such as:
- The assault of a student in a foreign study program
- Allegations of financial scandal
- Death of a member of the educational community
Members can use a communications firm of their choice, as long as the provider has crisis communications experience and doesn’t provide legal services or advice.
Benefit: UE will pay the provider directly for amounts up to $15,000 per event without prior approval and an additional $60,000 upon approval.
Trauma/Grief Counseling
Trauma/grief counseling are available to aid recovery following the death of a member of the institution’s community, regardless of whether the death occurs on campus or during a school activity. Services provided by Black Swan/Empathia enable members to access trauma/grief counseling services to aid those affected by the crisis including:
- Students
- Faculty members
- Employees
- Family of the deceased
- Other community members
Benefit: UE will directly pay Black Swan/Empathia for amounts up to $15,000 per event without prior approval and an additional $60,000 with approval.
UE members should register with Empathia before services are needed. Contact Black Swan/Empathia at (866) 713-1978.
Sexual Misconduct Investigation Services
Sexual misconduct investigation services are available to help institutions investigate allegations of sexual misconduct. Services may include a full investigation, including interviews and gathering evidence, or providing expert advice to those conducting investigations. UE must approve the service provider in advance.
Benefit: UE will reimburse up to $10,000 for a sexual misconduct investigation with approval. For benefit periods beginning May 1, 2022, only one sexual misconduct investigation per benefit period will qualify for reimbursement.
Threat Assessment Case Consultation
Threat assessment case consultation to assess the severity of a threat or disturbing behavior. Depending on the circumstances, case consultation may include:
- A full threat assessment investigation
- Assistance with an existing investigation
- Specific subject matter expertise on a case
Benefit: UE will pay an approved Threat Assessment provider up to $10,000 per event.
The approved vendors are:
Bill Zimmerman, CTM
APEX Resolutions
(202) 369-9031
wjmz@outlook.com
Lea C. Bauer, M.Ed. CFE
Bauer S&I Specialists, LLC
(281) 923-3075
bauerspecialists@outlook.com
Dr. Stephanie Leite, PsyD, CTM
Forensic Intelligence, LLC
(860) 729-2613
stephanie@drleite.com