Jason Flatt
Governor Robert Bentley signed The Jason Flatt Act on May 10, 2016 - Alabama into law, making Alabama the 18th state to pass The Jason Flatt Act since 2007. The major components of the legislation are:
- The Department of Education shall adopt rules to require that all certificated public school personnel receive annual training in suicide awareness and prevention.
- The Department of Education will develop a list of approved training materials to fulfill the requirements of the act which may include training materials currently being used by a local school system if such training materials satisfy the criteria established by the department.
- This training may be provided within the framework of existing in service training programs or as a part of required professional development offered by the local school system. Approved materials may include programs that can be completed through self-review of suitable suicide prevention materials.
- Each local school system shall adopt a policy on student suicide prevention. The polices shall be developed in consultation with school and community stakeholders, school employed mental health professionals, and suicide prevention experts, and, at a minimum, shall address procedures relating to suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention.
Through the Pizitz Counseling Department, our 7th grade students will be a provided an appropriate grade level lesson which discusses suicide awareness and prevention.
If you have any additional questions regarding Jason Flatt, please visit www.jasonfoundation.com or your child's counselor.