Safety
School Based Health Centers
School Health
School Health Advisory Council’s (SHAC’s)
School Nurse Information
Seizure Recognition and Related First Aid Programs :
The Texas Education Code (TEC), §38.033, as added by House Bill (HB) 684, 86th Texas Legislature, permits the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to approve an online course of instruction for seizure recognition and related first aid provided by a nonprofit national foundation that supports the welfare of individuals with epilepsy and seizure disorders. School nurses employed by a school district and school district employees whose duties include regular contact with students are required to complete the online course of instruction.
The following list of online courses meet all requirements outlined in statute:
The Epilepsy Foundation (https://www.epilepsy.com/)
Managing Students with Seizures: The Importance of School Nurses
https://learn.epilepsy.com/class/85211/MSWS2017
Cost: Free
Seizure Training for School Personnel
https://learn.epilepsy.com/class/86831/seizure-training-school-personnel
Cost: Free
Suicide Prevention
House Bill (HB) 2186, which was passed by the 84th Texas Legislature, 2015, and signed into law by Governor Abbott on June 19, 2015, requires suicide prevention training to all new school district and open-enrollment charter school educators annually and to existing school district and open-enrollment charter school educators on a schedule adopted by the TEA by rule. Training must be selected from the list of recommended best practice-based programs that is provided by the DSHS. School districts and open-enrollment charter schools may also select programs through an independent review of online suicide prevention training materials that comply with the guidelines (PDF, 84KB) developed by the TEA. More information about this training is included in this correspondence (PDF, 131KB). If you have further questions regarding this training, please contact Victoria Ellis in the Division of Educator Preparation by email at victoria.ellis@tea.texas.gov or by telephone at (512) 936-8400, Option 5.
ASK about Suicide to Save a Life Gatekeeper Training
ASK about Suicide to Save a Life is a gatekeeper training that can be modified between 1-3 hours, based on the needs of the trainees. It is similar to Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR) and is a best practice training that was developed in Texas, with Texas specific data, resources and information. Participants have opportunities to learn the warning signs, protective and risk factors about suicide. They will learn how to ask people directly about suicidal thoughts and behaviors and how to refer them to appropriate help. There are trainings offered across Texas, as well as an online video of two ASK Master Trainers teaching a sample course for an hour. There are also accompanying power point presentation materials.
At-Risk (Kognito)
At-Risk is a one hour online training for Elementary, Middle School, and High School educators. This online, interactive professional development program uses virtual role-play to help school faculty, staff, and administrators learn common signs of psychological distress and how to approach an at-risk student for referral to the school counselor.
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
ASIST is founded on the principle that everyone can make a difference in preventing suicide. Developed in 1983 and regularly updated to reflect improvements in knowledge and practice, ASIST is the world’s leading suicide intervention workshop. During the two-day interactive session, participants learn to intervene and help prevent the immediate risk of suicide.
Model Adolescent Suicide Prevention Program (MASPP)
The Model Adolescent Suicide Prevention Program (MASPP) is a public health-oriented suicidal-behavior prevention and intervention program originally developed for a small American Indian tribe in rural New Mexico to target high rates of suicide among its adolescents and young adults.
Olweus Bullying Program*
Olweus Bullying Program utilizes online courses, web conferences and in-person program implementation seminars. These interactive programs provide key information about bullying, cyber bullying, and dating violence, and explain how schools, community organizations, and parents can create safe, healthy environments.
Peer Assistance and Leadership (PAL)*
Peer Assistance and Leadership (PAL) is a peer helping program that seeks to build resiliency in youth by pairing youth with peer helpers who receive training and support from teachers participating in the program.
Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR) Gatekeeper Training
QPR Gatekeeper Training is three steps that anyone can learn to help prevent suicide. Just like CPR, QPR is an emergency response to someone in crisis and can save lives.
safeTALK
safeTALK is a 4-hour gatekeeper training and excellent tool for people who want to become alert to the dangers of suicide in a convenient timeframe. Although formal caregivers such as social workers and counselors employ safeTALK skills, the program is also used by students, teachers, community volunteers, first responders, military personnel, police, public and private employees, and professional athletes– among many others. By providing a universal model with adaptable components, safeTALK offers useful skills to every audience.
SOS Signs of Suicide
SOS Signs of Suicide is a secondary school-based suicide prevention program that includes screening and education. Students are screened for depression and suicide risk and referred for professional help as indicated.