Who We Are

At School Crisis Consultants, we believe every student deserves a safe, supportive place to learn — and every educator deserves the tools and confidence to protect that environment.

Founded and led by Dr. Cora Palma, a seasoned professional in school safety, suicide prevention, crisis response, and school behavioral threat assessment, we specialize in helping school districts prevent, prepare for, and respond to crises with skill, care, and consistency.

As the principal consultant and founder of School Crisis Consultants, Dr. Palma brings years of experience working alongside educators, administrators, mental health professionals, and law enforcement. We understand the unique challenges schools face today — from identifying concerning behaviors early to managing high-stakes incidents in real time — and we translate complex best practices into clear, actionable steps your team can use immediately.

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MEET THE FOUNDER

Dr. Cora Palma

Cora Palma is a Licensed Educational Psychologist and Nationally Certified School Psychologist dedicated to creating safer, more supportive learning environments for all students. With over 15 years of experience, she has served as the trusted point of contact in schools for threat assessments, suicide assessments, and crisis response. Since 2010, Cora has been training educators and school teams in behavioral threat assessment and suicide prevention, and in 2020 became a certified Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG) coach and trainer. She has since guided and coached dozens of schools across Northern and Southern California, helping them strengthen their systems for prevention, assessment, and post-crisis support.

As both a professional and a parent with children attending schools in the very community in which she works, Cora has a personal and vested commitment to school safety and the mental wellness of all students. At the heart of her work is a deep passion for protecting students’ well-being, preventing violence, and equipping schools with evidence-based best practices that foster safe, responsive, and supportive environments.

Meet the Team

At School Crisis Consultants, we don’t just deliver services — we help schools build lasting capacity to keep students safe, supported, and ready to learn.

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Cynthia Olaya, ed.s.

PREPaRE TRAINER

Cynthia Olaya is a school psychologist with more than two decades of experience supporting students, schools, and communities. She has served in large urban districts and currently works in the Huntington Beach Union High School District. For 20 years, she also taught and mentored graduate students at Chapman University and California State University, Long Beach, preparing the next generation of school psychologists and school counselors. Her expertise includes school-based mental health, crisis preparedness and response, and fostering inclusive schools for LGBTQ+ students. Cynthia has partnered with schools across California to strengthen crisis-response systems and expand access to effective mental health services. Outside work, she enjoys staying active and spending time with her family and dog.

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Libby Kelly, Ed.s.

PREPARE TRAINER

With a career spanning nearly two decades in education, Libby Kelly is a dedicated leader in fostering safe and supportive learning environments. She began her journey with twelve foundational years as a School Psychologist in both a charter and a traditional district before stepping into her current role as a Special Education Administrator for the Irvine Unified School District. A recognized expert in crisis management, Libby has served as a PREPaRE trainer for 15 years, guiding schools and districts in developing robust safety plans. Her expertise is further demonstrated as a threat assessment trainer for The Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG) and by providing critical mental health support during active intruder drills. Beyond her district work, Libby has shared her knowledge with the next generation of educators as a graduate-level instructor at Chapman University. When she’s not championing student wellness, she enjoys photography and adventuring with her husband and two children.

We are more than trainers. We are partners.
Our mission is to:

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    Equip districts with evidence-based tools to prevent violence and self-harm.

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    Provide consultation when urgent decisions matter most.

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    Align policies and procedures so they are legally sound, and sustainable.

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  • School Crisis Consultants “are one of the most important resources a school district can have on their team. They are so knowledgeable in all aspects of the Mental Health department and the needs of school campuses during times of crisis. I would highly recommend them to any school agency looking to improve their site risk/threat assessments, and ensuring their staff are prepared to respond in a crisis.”

    - Kyle W, Program Manager of Student Services, Stockton