Passed by the Georgia General Assembly in 2025, House Bill 268 requires additional behavioral health supports for elementary and middle schools that have received a one-star or two-star School Climate Star Rating. As part of this effort, the law requires that no less than 95 percent of school personnel in identified schools receive two (2) hours of student behavioral health awareness training each school year approved by DBHDD.
To assist schools in meeting this requirement, DBHDD, GaDOE and The David Ralston Institute for Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities have partnered to develop a statewide training approach that equips school staff with the knowledge and skills to recognize behavioral health concerns and respond appropriately. Improve the climate of the school.
Schools should designate up to three certified staff to attend a 3-hour train-the-facilitator session hosted regionally by the Ralston Institute. Following this training, schools must deliver behavioral health awareness training to at least 95% of all school personnel and plan for completion prior to the start of the next school year.
Ensuring that school personnel are equipped to recognize signs of behavioral health challenges and respond appropriately will help connect students to the support they need earlier and strengthen the overall safety and climate of our schools. For questions or requests for assistance, please contact the Ralston Institute at [email protected].
