Oxford shooting survivor distribution plan expands eligibility for more students, staff
The finalized plan for how $2 million in donations will be distributed to the families of Oxford school shooting victims and survivors expands eligibility by increasing the designated area where applicants must have been present at the time of the shooting.
The draft protocol for distribution included the hallway where the Nov. 30 shooting occurred, two restrooms and a classroom. The final version includes all classrooms and another bathroom along the hallway, meaning that hundreds of students and staff are now eligible to receive funds.
The donation pool, which stood at $2.03 million as of Tuesday afternoon, is being managed by the National Compassion Fund. The money has been donated by individuals and some corporations.
The nonprofit facilitates donations to victims of mass crimes. Its previous campaigns include mass shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, and Santa Fe High School in New Mexico.
The categories of eligibility criteria still stand at three: legal heirs of those killed, those wounded by gunfire — defined as being hit by shrapnel or bullets — and those present at the site of the shooting who are experiencing psychological trauma and seek mental health treatment by May 7. The proposed plan, released in February, had a shorter deadline for those in the final category, requiring them to have received mental health counseling by March 30.
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This extension allows families and students to reflect on their mental state and gives them time to seek help if needed, said Jeff Dion, executive director of the National Compassion Fund and manager of the Oxford fund.
"One of the things we know about trauma is that most trauma will resolve on its own," Dion said, "and the trauma that doesn't resolve on its own — usually within about three months or so — that's the trauma that's most likely to benefit from some sort of mental health intervention to help alleviate symptoms with the person."
The protocol also now includes those who provided direct assistance to gunshot victims, even outside of the designated area, or did something that prevented loss of life. Students and faculty who were in close physical proximity to the gunman and at imminent risk of death or helped a gunshot victim may be eligible to receive a higher level of payment.
The finalized plan follows a town hall meeting March 21 where parents and community members provided feedback on the draft plan to the National Compassion Fund's Steering Committee.
"Through the town hall and the written comments we received, we got a clearer picture of what people were exposed to on that day," Dion said, explaining why the committee decided to expand the area of eligibility. "We heard that people in those classrooms could see the shooter or couldn't lock the door, and so there was some really horrible stuff people were exposed to."
That was the reality of Nov. 30 for Ryan Shelby's 15-year-old daughter, who was in Room 223 and remembers making eye contact with Ethan Crumbley during the incident through her classroom door's window. She and her classmates were in the room without a teacher and were unable to lock the door, Shelby said.
Despite this, Shelby said the process of finalizing the distribution plan has been harrowing and no amount will resolve the trauma for those in the high school that day.
"At the end of the day, these kids aren't the same kids who walked in that building on Nov. 30," he said. "How do you quantify trauma?"
Two of his daughters, a sophomore and a junior, were in the building during the shooting. The sophomore is eligible to receive money but the junior, who was in the choir room, is not. But both are in counseling, costing Shelby more than $500 a month.
"My daughters feel fortunate to come out of (the shooting), even guilty at times," he said. "They've had to grow up really fast. Triggers are everywhere — the nightmares, loud noises. They'll be fine one moment and then something will set them off."
His eldest daughter decided to continue school online after weeks of trying to return to the classroom, and the youngest attends in person but finds solace in imagining what her future holds after graduation.
"The biggest thing is they no longer trust adults to keep them safe," Shelby said. "These kids just, no matter what they're told or how strong they are, want to go back and feel normal and safe again. And that's the biggest struggle."
The amount gifted to individuals will be based on how much money is collected through May 20 — when the fund is set to close for donations — and a review of all applications. Funds gifted to recipients can be used however they desire.
A portal for applications is expected to be published April 15, with a deadline of May 6, and funds are expected to begin distribution June 17.
mmarini@freepress.com
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Oxford shooting survivors distribution plan expands eligibility
