§437.2. Adverse childhood experience education; in-service training; pilot program
A. As used in this Section:
(1) "Adverse childhood experience education" means a school-wide approach to
education and a classroom-based approach to student learning that recognizes the signs and
symptoms of adverse childhood experiences in students, families, and staff and responds by
integrating knowledge about adverse childhood experience policies, professional learning,
procedures, and practices to address the long-term effects of adverse childhood experiences
on a student's cognitive functioning and his physical, social, emotional, and mental well-being.
(2) "Adverse childhood experience family outreach" means a school-wide approach
to provide parents and legal guardians access to information about adverse childhood
experiences and their effect on early childhood education, and education and resources
regarding the manifestations of such experiences in adulthood and the intergenerational
nature of such experiences in families.
(3) "Adverse childhood experiences" means all types of abuse, neglect, and other
traumatic childhood experiences linked to lifelong health and social problems including:
(a) Physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.
(b) Physical or emotional neglect.
(c) Domestic violence.
(d) Divorce or separation of a parent or caregiver.
(e) Substance abuse by a household member.
(f) Mental illness of a household member.
(g) Incarceration of a household member.
B.(1) The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, after consultation
with the Louisiana Department of Health, office of public health, shall develop and adopt
guidelines for in-service training in recognizing the signs and symptoms of adverse
childhood experiences and the utilization of adverse childhood experience educational
practices to address student needs resulting from these experiences.
(2) The board shall adopt rules to require that, beginning with the 2021-2022 school
year, all public and approved nonpublic school teachers, school counselors, principals, and
other school administrators for whom the training is considered beneficial by the board shall
annually participate in at least one hour of in-service training on recognizing adverse
childhood experiences and the utilization of adverse childhood experience education. The
in-service training required by this Paragraph shall be provided on a day that other types of
in-service training will be provided in accordance with the school calendar adopted by each
public school governing authority.
C. The training shall include research-based information regarding the following:
(1) The impact of adverse childhood experiences on students' educational
experiences and on the school and classroom culture.
(2) How to identify the signs and symptoms of adverse childhood experiences.
(3) Best practices for schools and classrooms regarding adverse childhood
experience considerations in education.
(4) Recognition of the impact of secondary trauma on school employees.
D. The state Department of Education shall report to the legislature by January 31,
2023, relative to efforts to integrate adverse childhood experience educational practices into
schools.
E. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall adopt rules in
accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act to implement the provisions of this
Section.
F.(1) The state Department of Education shall develop and administer a pilot
program for the purpose of trauma-informed mental health screening for students and mental
health and behavioral issues and providing related services with respect to mental and
behavioral health.
(2) The department shall select three school systems to participate in the pilot
program.
(3) In developing and administering the program, the department shall consult with
experts in the fields of mental health, behavioral health, and trauma-informed restorative
services.
Acts 2021, No. 353, §1, eff. June 17, 2021; Acts 2022, No. 563, §1; Acts 2023, No.
318, §1.