Classroom Course » Puente: Be the Bridge. Notice. Respond. Connect.

Puente: Be the Bridge. Notice. Respond. Connect. is the current mandated behavioral health training required by The South Capitol Street Memorial Amendment Act of 2012 (D.C. Law 19-141) and the Youth Suicide Prevention and School Climate Survey Amendment Act of 2016 (D.C. Law 21-120).  

This trauma-informed training (replacing Kognito Modules) is designed to provide educators and principals with practical tools and strategies to recognize, assess, refer and respond to student mental health needs. Through a combination of instruction, discussion, and case-based learning, attendees will explore the risk and protective factors associated with mental health and both learn and practice applying skills and referral approaches in real-world scenarios.  Participants will gain increased confidence in identifying warning signs and asking direct, compassionate questions. Participants will deepen their understanding of the vital role that educators and principals play in activating their schools’ referral process.

By the end of this session, participants will have a sense of increased preparedness to intervene effectively with students and families through observation-based and care-centered conversations.  Participants will increase comfort in addressing the signs and symptom's of unmet behavioral health needs and contribute to suicide prevention efforts within their education setting. Participants will gain increased confidence in identifying warning signs, asking direct and compassionate questions, and implementing appropriate next steps. This training is ideal for educators and tailored to the unique perspective of the teacher-student interactions. By the end of this session, participants will be better prepared to intervene effectively, support those in crisis, and contribute to suicide prevention efforts within their professional settings.