Section
Breadcrumbs
Education & Training
Education and training are key factors to how prepared Indiana is when protecting against and responding to threats on school grounds. Educators and students should be aware of their surroundings, exits, procedures, and safeguards in place to protect them. School resource officers in Indiana complete a robust training program that equips them to deal with the many challenges that can occur in a school environment. Indiana is one of two states in the nation that requires a trained, school safety specialist in every school. Law enforcement and first responders train regularly with their communities to ensure a quick and efficient response to an incident in which time is critical in saving lives. Indiana offers many opportunities to educate and train communities. A sampling is listed below.
- Indiana State Police School Safety Training
In partnership with Indiana educators and local law enforcement, ISP conducts various training sessions throughout Indiana. Training sessions help schools and law enforcement agencies establish partnerships necessary for coordinating a unified and effective response to various incidents.
- Indiana Department of Education School Safety Training and Awareness Calendar
The Indiana Department of Education hosts training events year-round to help prepare students and educators for future risks.
- Indiana Department of Education School Safety Specialist Basic Level Training
Basic Level Training is a multiple day training that begins each fall. It starts in November with a two day training in Indianapolis. There is an online component involving a series of videos, written material, and assessments that must be completed before attending the final day of training in May which is also held in Indianapolis.
- Indiana Department of Education School Safety Specialist Advanced Level Training
Advanced Level Trainings and Regional Trainings are intended for those who have completed Basic Level Training. If you have not completed Basic Level Training and would like to attend you will need to contact one of our staff members before registering.
- Indiana Department of Education Drill Substitution Option
To maintain certification, the Indiana Department of Education requires certified school safety specialists to attend two days of advanced/regional training each school year. Safety specialists are allowed to substitute one interagency school safety drill/training exercise (involving multiple first responder agencies) for one day of the required on-site academy training per school year. This drill/exercise must include a planning session, participation from local first responders and prior authorization from the Indiana School Safety Specialist Academy (ISSSA). This form must be submitted to ISSSA as documentation of planning sessions, attendance and participation with the interagency school safety drill.
- Indiana Department of Education Online Resources for School Safety Specialists
The Indiana Department of Education is among the leading states in the level and sophistication of its School Safety Specialist program. The ongoing training and certification processes in Indiana help keep these uniquely trained personnel up to date and prepared as can be for future risks and hazards.
Mental Health Training Resources
- Mental Health First Aid Training
Youth Mental Health First Aid is a nationally recognized and evidence-based program that trains individuals who work with adolescents (ages 12-18) to recognize and respond to signs of mental health problems or crisis. The state of Indiana provides this training free of charge through NAMI.
- Ending the Silence
Ending the Silence, a program from NAMI Indiana, is an engaging presentation about the warning signs of mental health conditions and what steps to take if you or a loved one are showing symptoms of a mental illness.
- www.SeizeTheAwkward.org
Seize The Awkward is a campaign that helps people get past their fears and awkwardness of talking with friends about mental health so they can provide support to someone who may really need it.
- Bring Change to Mind
Bring Change to Mind gives teens a platform to share their voices and raise awareness around mental health. Its goal is to empower students to educate one another and their communities, fight the stigma around mental illness, and to create a culture of peer support within their schools.
- Parent Cafés
Parent Cafés were created and developed by parent leaders to educate families on the Strengthening Families™ Protective Factors, a strengths-based system for parents and caregivers that helps keep children safe and families strong. The five Strengthening Families Protective Factors are resilience (parent resilience), relationships (positive social connections), support (concrete support in times of need), knowledge (knowledge of parent and child development) and communication (social and emotional competence).
To find out about Parent Cafés in your area, contact the DMHA Bureau Chief of Youth Services.