Engaging nebraska educators in mental health awareness training - the engaging nebraska educators in mental health awareness training project will capitalize on the position of local schools to meet…

Engaging nebraska educators in mental health awareness training - the engaging nebraska educators in mental health awareness training project will capitalize on the position of local schools to meet the mental health needs of nebraska students in grades k-12, by training educators in the evidence-based intervention of psychological first aid for schools (PFA-s). Currently, the mental health needs of nebraska's youth are growing, yet unmet due to a shortage of available mental health services across the state. This project will meet this shortage by preparing and utilizing a workforce positioned in every community in the state - educators. However, to fully support and respond to students' mental health needs, educators require additional training and support. PFA-s is designed for delivery in school settings by school staff, and includes components that will fill existing educator skill-gaps related to identifying students with mental health issues, mental health promotion, and appropriately responding to crises (including DE-escalation). State-wide implementation of PFA-s, through replication of an established framework for delivery, will achieve the project goals of (a) organizing educators in local and regional PFA-s teams, (b) training educators in PFA-s, (c) creating systems for educator referral of students with mental health needs (including SMI/SED) to regional behavioral health authorities, and (d) developing and disseminating resources and strategies to promote the mental health of school communities. Over the course of the project the nebraska department of education (NDE) will train 1,250 nebraska educators (250 per year) to serve all 244 of nebraska's school districts. These goals will be achieved through a partnership between the university of nebraska public policy center, the nebraska department of education, and nebraska's regional behavioral health authorities.