Act 55 Offerings

Act 55 of 2022 requires all school employees to complete two hours of training annually on one or more of the following school safety and security topics: situational awareness, trauma-informed approaches, behavioral health awareness, suicide and bullying awareness, and substance use awareness. Follow the link below if you are interested in more information about the Act 55 mandate.

The MIU IV School Social Work team is pleased to offer the following four Act 55 trainings:

• trauma-informed approaches
• behavioral health awareness
• suicide and bullying awareness
• substance use awareness

We are able to offer these trainings in any combination to support your district in meeting Act 55 requirements. Please see below for more information regarding each training.

Additional information:

• There is no cost for the trainings
• Act 48 hours are available
• Target Audience: All educational staff
• Location: Can be held in your district building or at the MIU IV office

This training will provide participants with an overview of trauma, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and how the brain is impacted by trauma. The trauma-informed approach training provides an understanding of how trauma impacts individuals, educators, and school systems. Research shows that 2 out of 3 people experience a traumatic event by the age of 16. Mental health services are not required, but school attendance is. We will review trauma-informed approach strategies and how they can help students develop resilience. Finally, we look at how educators are impacted by trauma and strategies to combat burnout and secondary traumatic stress.

This training is designed to be three hours in length, however, we are able to tailor the length of this training based on your district's needs.

Recommended minimum: 1.5 hours

Recommended maximum: 3 hours

The classroom serves as a crucial environment in the school setting. Educators play a vital role in recognizing the significance of mental health and fostering a safe, supportive atmosphere that can positively impact everyone's well-being. This training provides an overview of common mental health diagnoses often observed in the school. Participants will explore effective strategies to support students exhibiting symptoms of these conditions, enhancing their ability to create an inclusive and nurturing classroom environment.

This training is designed to be three hours in length, however, we are able to tailor the length of this training based on your district's needs.

Recommended minimum: 1.5 hours

Recommended maximum: 3 hours

In an era where the schoolyard has expanded into the digital pocket, the risks facing today's youth are more complex than ever. This training is designed to support educational staff in understanding the connection between bullying and suicide risk among students. Participants will explore current trends in bullying behaviors, including cyberbullying, and suicide awareness within school-aged populations, with an emphasis on how school climate, peer relationships, and online interactions influence student mental health and safety. The training emphasizes the critical role educational staff play in early identification, fostering supportive learning environments, and intervening effectively to promote student well-being and safety. Our goal is not just to provide information, but to foster the confidence to act when faced with a difficult situation.

This training is designed to be two hours in length, however, we are able to tailor the length of this training based on your district's needs.

Recommended minimum: 1 hour

Recommended maximum: 2 hours

Substance Abuse Awareness is a training tailored for educators that provides a vital overview of adolescent substance use in response to Act 55 mandates. Participants will explore current trends and gain a deeper understanding of the biological factors that drive youth toward substance use, particularly the impact on the developing adolescent brain. By learning to recognize physical and behavioral "red flags" and mastering the protocols for intervention, educators will leave better equipped to serve as a protective shield for their students and to foster a safer, more supportive school environment.

This training is designed to be 1.5 hours in length, however, we are able to tailor the length of this training based on your district's needs.

Recommended minimum: 1 hour

Recommended maximum: 2 hours

If you are interested in bringing these trainings to your district, please click the button above and complete the MIU IV Professional Development form. For further questions regarding requests, please contact Richael Fertig at richael.fertig@miu4.org.

If you have questions or would like more information, please feel free to contact the MIU IV School Social Work Team:

Bryda Drumm, LSW, H&SV, C-SSWS

bryda.drumm@miu4.org

Jennifer Guthrie, LCSW, C-SSWS

jennifer.guthrie@miu4.org

Sara Joseph, LSW, C-SSWS

sara.joseph@miu4.org