Page 48 - Superintendent Report 2021-22

Youth Mental Health First Aid
®

The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Act reads, in part, “The Department of Education shall select a
national authority on youth mental health awareness and assistance to facilitate providing youth
mental health awareness and assistance training, using a trainer certification model, to all school
personnel in elementary, middle, and high schools.” [SB 7026, 1012.584 (2)] Florida has selected the
Youth Mental Health First Aid , published by the National Council of Behavioral Health and Kognito,
®
to meet this requirement.

Youth Mental Health First Aid is the help an adult offers to a young person (ages 5-18) experiencing
®
a mental health challenge, mental disorder, or a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until
appropriate help is received or until the crisis resolves. During FY22, 1,116 employees completed the
training. They earned a three-year Youth Mental Health First Aid Certification, and 726 employees
completed the YMHFA Recertification to earn another three-year certification.

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs (ATOD) Program

The Department of Safe Schools offers two online ATOD prevention courses: Tobacco/Vaping
Prevention and AOD (Alcohol and Other Drugs), which provides two options for elementary, middle,
and high school students suspended for alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs to use instead of the
traditional out-of-school suspension process. These courses are updated annually to give students
an understanding of the effects of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. They also teach skills needed
to replace high-risk behaviors with healthier life choices. The courses engage students through
various individual and group activities and discussions involving reflection, decision-making, time,
money, and stress management. These strategies are designed to support and strengthen students’
social and emotional development and increase their awareness of the impact of tobacco/vaping,
alcohol, and other drug usages.

By attending the program’s three-hour online classroom drug education course, students suspended
for alcohol and other drugs may receive a waiver of up to five days from the mandatory 10-day
suspension, with up to five days held in abeyance. Likewise, students suspended for tobacco may
receive a waiver of up to three days of the mandatory five-day suspension, with up to three days
held aside.

School administrators or parents may register students online, and students receive their credentials
within one business day. The course must be completed within seven days of registration, or the
student will be withdrawn from the study. Upon completion, students and school administrators
receive a certificate of completion.

Over the five years since the program began, more than 50 schools throughout the District, including
traditional, magnet, charter, and alternative, have referred students to the program each year.
Therefore, reducing more than 10,000 out-of-school suspension days. The program’s educational
component is extended to include students involved in or referred by the District’s Youth Diversion
(Youth Court) program for substance abuse offenders.

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