School and Community Services

HOMELESS AWARENESS WEEK

NOVEMBER 13-17, 2023

RED DAY IS FRIDAY THE 17TH - WEAR RED AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

As noted in previous communications, one online module, (Behavioral Health Awareness) is currently available on the K12 School Safety and Security Training webpage as an option for school entities to use to fulfill these training requirements. The next two new online modules (Behaviors of Concern and Situational Awareness) will become available by the first full week in November and the remaining online modules will follow through December 2023.

Beginning in November, PCCD is launching a series of regional ‘train-the-trainer’ sessions for School Safety and Security Coordinators and other school administrators to learn how to deliver in-person emergency training drills training that meets the Act 55 standards. These ‘train-the-trainer’ sessions are free and optional for coordinators and administrators.[2] There are currently 20 sessions open for registration in November and December. If you are a school safety coordinator or school administrator or designee who wishes to be trained to deliver standards aligned Emergency Training Drills training for school employees please visit the training section of our K12 School Safety and Security Training webpage and click on the calendar for training locations and to register. More sessions will be added as they are scheduled.

Please reach out to RA-CD-SSSC@pa.gov with questions or concerns.

[1] Act 55 of 2022 mandated school safety-related training for all Pennsylvania public school employees. Section 1310-B of the PA Public School Code requires that all school entities provide employees with a minimum of two hours of mandatory training annually on any combination of one or more of the following topics, based on the needs of the school entity and aligned with training standards adopted by the School Safety and Security Committee (SSSC):

• Situational awareness.
• Trauma-informed approaches.
• Behavioral health awareness.
• Suicide and bullying awareness.
• Substance use awareness.

In addition, school entities must provide employees with a minimum of one hour total of annual training that addresses both emergency training drills (including fire, natural disaster, active shooter, hostage situation and bomb threat) AND identification or recognition of student behavior that may indicate a threat to the safety of the student, other students, school employees, other individuals, school facilities or the community. Note: This requirement is for one-hour total for both of these topics combined, not one hour for each topic and the topic of emergency training drills must be offered in person (all other modules may be taken virtually).

[2] Note: School entities may also fulfill school employee training requirements by utilizing other training program(s) aligned with School Safety and Security Training Standards for School Employees, which may be conducted by the school entity or by a “PCCD-Recognized” training provider (see list of self-certifying training providers). PCCD notes, however, that trainings provided by a “PCCD-Recognized” training provider may not be free for entities.

[1] Act 55 of 2022 mandated school safety-related training for all Pennsylvania public school employees. Section 1310-B of the PA Public School Code requires that all school entities provide employees with a minimum of two hours of mandatory training annually on any combination of one or more of the following topics, based on the needs of the school entity and aligned with training standards adopted by the School Safety and Security Committee (SSSC):

• Situational awareness.
• Trauma-informed approaches.
• Behavioral health awareness.
• Suicide and bullying awareness.
• Substance use awareness.

In addition, school entities must provide employees with a minimum of one hour total of annual training that addresses both emergency training drills (including fire, natural disaster, active shooter, hostage situation and bomb threat) AND identification or recognition of student behavior that may indicate a threat to the safety of the student, other students, school employees, other individuals, school facilities or the community. Note: This requirement is for one-hour total for both of these topics combined, not one hour for each topic and the topic of emergency training drills must be offered in person (all other modules may be taken virtually).

[2] Note: School entities may also fulfill school employee training requirements by utilizing other training program(s) aligned with School Safety and Security Training Standards for School Employees, which may be conducted by the school entity or by a “PCCD-Recognized” training provider (see list of self-certifying training providers). PCCD notes, however, that trainings provided by a “PCCD-Recognized” training provider may not be free for entities.

November 7, 2023

February 6, 2023

May 7, 2023

All meetings 1-3 pm at ARIN