{"data":{"id":"us-dc/d.c.-code-7-1131.17-perm","jurisdiction":"us-dc","citation":"D.C. Code § 7-1131.17(Perm)","heading":"Youth behavioral health program.","body":"\n  *NOTE: This codification is not the most current, due to recent law changes. To see the current law (including emergency and temporary legislation, if relevant) click this link: Current Version*\n  \n\n(a)\nAs of October 1, 2012, there is established within the Department, and shall be made available to all child development facilities, public schools, and public charter schools, a program that, at a minimum, provides participants with the tools needed to:\n(1)\nIdentify students who may have unmet behavioral health needs;\n(2)\nRefer identified students to appropriate services for behavioral health screenings and behavioral health assessments; and\n(3)\nRecognize the warning signs and risk factors for youth suicide and implement best practices for suicide prevention, suicide intervention, and suicide postvention.\n\n(b)\n(1)\nStarting October 1, 2016, completion of the program shall be mandatory once every 2 years for all:\n(A)\nTeachers in public schools and public charter schools;\n(B)\nPrincipals in public schools and public charter schools; and\n(C)\nStaff employed by child development facilities, who are subject to training or continuing education requirements pursuant to licensing regulations.\n(2)\nIn addition to the individuals described in paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Mayor may determine through rulemaking other individuals who shall be required to complete the program.\n(3)\nThe Department may make the program available to other interested individuals.\n\n(c)\nThe Department shall keep a record of all participants who complete the program and shall provide the participants with written proof of completion.\n\n(d)\nIf so approved by the Office of the State Superintendent for Education, the program may count towards professional development credits.\n\n(e)\nFor the purposes of this section, the term:\n(1)\n\"Suicide intervention\" means specific actions schools can take in response to student suicidal behavior, including:\n(A)\nStudent supervision;\n(B)\nNotification of parents or guardians;\n(C)\nCrisis-response protocols;\n(D)\nWhen and how to request an immediate mental health assessment or emergency services; and\n(E)\nSchool re-entry procedures following a student mental health crisis.\n(2)\n\"Suicide postvention\" means planned support and interventions schools can implement after a suicide attempt or suicide death of a member of the school community that are designed to:\n(A)\nReduce the risk of suicide contagion;\n(B)\nProvide support for affected students and school-based personnel;\n(C)\nAddress the social stigma associated with suicide; and\n(D)\nDisseminate factual information about suicide.\n(3)\n\"Suicide prevention\" means specific actions schools can take to recognize and reduce suicidal behavior, including:\n(A)\nIdentifying risk and protective factors for suicide and suicide warning signs;\n(B)\nEstablishing a process by which students are referred to a behavioral health provider for help;\n(C)\nMaking available school-based and community-based mental health supports;\n(D)\nProviding the location of available online and community suicide prevention resources, including local crisis centers and hotlines; and\n(E)\nAdopting policies and protocols regarding suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention, school safety, and crisis response.","path":["Title 99. Reserved sections."],"source_url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/7-1131.17(Perm)","current_through":"2026-08-20 (D.C. Law 26-175)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-29T05:44:07Z","sha256":"b67b2b2da782bb40ba3bcaee7855fc1a0909364a5154094595f97df4574fb8fd","source_id":"us-dc","stale":false,"prev":"us-dc/d.c.-code-7-3221-perm","next":"us-dc/d.c.-code-7-736.04-perm"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}