Safety Solutions

My advice to educators regarding Act 71, Suicide Prevention Training is “STANDBY!” Once all the details are ironed out and PDE can fully provide resources that satisfy the Act hopefully everyone will be able to benefit from this valuable training and help reduce childhood suicide across the Commonwealth.

I was recently asked by a non-public administrator if Act 71 applied to his private/unlicensed school. According to Joe Loccisano from the Safe Schools Office at PDE the answer is “no, this Act only applied to public school districts”.

Many educators in PA are wondering about Act 71 and how it will impact their school. Pennsylvania Department of Education is beginning to release guidelines and PSBA has also released a sample policy

Educators are reminded of the legislator’s many changes to Act 126 and would like to avoid the confusion created by the need to update information as the Act evolved; much time, energy and resources were committed to the updates and clarifications needed for Act 126. Some described it as “trying to build an airplane while flying it”.  

Much like we did with Act 126 the Lancaster Lebanon IU13 intends to create a comprehensive training program to address Act 71 once all the regulatory details are ironed out. Be on the lookout for another IU13 cutting edge training program in the near future!

A sample of the PSBA_sample_board_policy is attached to this blog for your review.   This is John Baker for www.safetysolutions4schools.com. If you need help with Act 71 or any other safety and security issue related to your organization give us a call.

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