{"id":21851,"date":"2023-11-08T23:19:34","date_gmt":"2023-11-08T23:19:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jedfoundation.org\/?p=21851"},"modified":"2024-02-06T15:11:50","modified_gmt":"2024-02-06T15:11:50","slug":"jed-the-school-superintendents-association-initiative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jedfoundation.org\/jed-the-school-superintendents-association-initiative\/","title":{"rendered":"JED and AASA Begin Districtwide Approach to Bring Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention to School Districts"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"A<\/p>\n

By Kim Greene<\/em><\/p>\n

The Jed Foundation (JED) and AASA, The School Superintendents Association, have begun their work with pre-K\u201312 school districts across the country to implement districtwide systems that support the emotional well-being of all students.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>District Comprehensive Approach<\/span><\/a> (DCA) is a multiyear program that provides school districts with an evidence-based framework \u2014 combined with expert support, best practices, and data-driven guidance \u2014 to protect mental health and prevent suicide for millions of students.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The initiative combines JED\u2019s decades of nationwide experience protecting emotional health and preventing suicide for more than 1,200 high schools, colleges, and universities with AASA\u2019s 150-year commitment to serving public education and school district leadership.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sixteen districts from across the country have been invited to take part in the inaugural pilot of the program. They include districts in rural, suburban, and urban communities serving racially, ethnically, linguistically, and economically diverse populations of students. In its first year, the DCA will reach over 370,000<\/span> students in 503 schools across 14 states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, and Virginia.<\/span><\/p>\n

Districts are currently engaged in the onboarding process, which includes identifying staff members to lead and support the work in schools. Districts will also share information about the program with their communities, complete self-assessments, and meet their JED School Mental Health Specialist who will guide their district\u2019s work.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

During the program, districts will have access to expertise at both JED and AASA to fully <\/span>support them in making meaningful, sustainable, and measurable improvements in student well-being in their districts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Districts will also have several opportunities to connect with each other and learn from peers. This month, the districts came together to learn about <\/span>JED\u2019s Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention for High Schools<\/span><\/a>, which serves as the basis for the program. They focused on the approach\u2019s seven domains:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n