This workshop will be co-presented by a leading attorney and an executive director of secondary education, to provide participants with both a legal perspective on this important topic, as well as an educational perspective. The presentation will focus on the new law established by AB 2246, which contains a number of requirements that local educational agencies (LEAs) must follow in developing suicide prevention policies. The workshop will discuss the legal requirements to ensure compliance with AB 2246, such as required input from school and community stakeholders, school-employed mental health professionals and suicide prevention experts, as well as how to ensure such policies address the needs of identified “high-risk” groups, which include youth bereaved by suicide; youth with disabilities, mental illness or substance abuse issues; homeless and foster youth; and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning youth. Attendees will leave this workshop with practical guidance and advice on how to help students in crisis.
