Senate Bill 2: Strengthening Trauma-Informed Approaches in Kentucky Schools

One of the significant legislative achievements from the 2024 Regular Session is Senate Bill 2 (SB 2), sponsored by Senator Max Wise. This bill emphasizes cultivating student well-being and resilience through trauma-informed plans, robust student support teams, increased accountability with the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), and enhanced suicide prevention training.

Key Provisions of SB 2:

Focus on Trauma-Informed Schools and Teams:

  • The bill maintains a strong focus on trauma-informed schools and teams.
  • District plans are to be made public annually through the Comprehensive District Improvement Plan (CDIP).
  • School-specific plans are to be shared annually via the Comprehensive School Improvement Plans (CSIP).

Accountability and Reporting:

  • SB 2 mandates that the Kentucky Department of Education gather and analyze district trauma-informed plans and report the findings annually to the Kentucky Board of Education and the Interim Joint Committee on Education.
  • The KDE is responsible for collecting and reporting data on the number and types of mental health professionals in schools, with a goal of achieving a 1:250 ratio for mental health providers and students.
    • A recent report from KDE highlighted information related to school-based mental health services provider use of time in schools. While there was information related to the use of time around direct services, indirect services, and other services, the report did not highlight the extent to which the current ratio is being met. 
  • KDE must also provide information on the annual amount of Medicaid billing for mental health services.

Anonymous Reporting Tool:

  • Each district is required to have an anonymous reporting tool available for students, parents, and the community to report information and threats.

Enhanced Suicide Prevention Training:

  • The bill mandates evidence-based suicide prevention training for all students and staff in grades 6-12.
  • The training must be offered twice a year, adding a session after the December break in addition to the existing September session.
  • Efforts must be made to provide training to students who miss the initial sessions.
  • For the first time, the training will also include staff serving 4th and 5th grades.

Senate Bill 2 sets a new standard for trauma-informed education in Kentucky, ensuring that student well-being and mental health are prioritized. By focusing on transparency, accountability, and comprehensive support, this legislation aims to create a safer and more nurturing environment for all students. KDE’s role in gathering and analyzing data, along with the enhanced training and reporting requirements, will help ensure that these initiatives are effectively implemented and monitored.