National Center for School Safety supports MSU Extension in exceeding grant goals as they strive to STOP school violence – Part 1
Print
EmailFor the past three years, MSU Extension has offered mental health training in 16 different school districts across the state, thanks to a Bringing Mental Health First Aid to Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence grant.
Michigan State University Extension educators and program instructors are enhancing Michigan 4-H healthy living partnerships in local schools and with other youth serving organizations by facilitating Youth and teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) courses. Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA), which is offered in-person and virtually, teaches adults how to support youth experiencing mental health challenges or a crisis Teen Mental Health First Aid, which is typically offered in person, teaches teens to support each other through difficult times, including mental health challenges, bullying and substance use.
For the past three years, this training has been offered in 16 different school districts across the state, thanks to a Bringing Mental Health First Aid to Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence grant from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs. STOP grant recipients receive technical support from the National Center for School Safety in the form of monthly grantee networking and individual coaching meetings. These meetings provide a system where organizations can share resources, work through challenges and receive additional professional development training to implement and meet the grant objectives.
With the support of the National Center for School Safety, the MSU Extension STOP grant team exceeded their grant goals and objectives for the 2023-2025 grant period. In total, 684 adults were trained in YMHFA, compared to the initial grant goal of 120 adults. In addition, 1,862 youth were trained in tMHFA, compared to an initial grant goal of 1,200 teens. Similarly, over the course of the grant, 34 schools and youth serving organizations participated as partners for tMHFA, as compared to an initial goal of eight schools and organizations. Thanks to a recent no-cost grant extension, MSU Extension will continue offering YMHFA and tMHFA courses for youth and adults across the state of Michigan, including in the Upper Peninsula.
For more information about the National Center for School Safety and the resources they provide for school districts and other organizations, please read Part 2 of this article. For more information about Michigan 4-H healthy living programs promoting positive mental health and wellness, please visit the 4-H Healthy Youth website.
