Testimony: Youth Suicide Prevention and School Climate Survey Act of 2015 & Assessment on Children of Incarcerated Parents Act of 2015
Policy Attorney Kimberly Waller testified before the DC Council Committee on Education regarding the Youth Suicide Prevention and School Climate Survey Act of 2015 and the Assessment on Children of Incarcerated Parents Act of 2015. The first bill mandates annual suicide prevention training for all school-based personnel, administration of research-based school climate surveys and publication of their results. The second bill requires the Mayor assess the needs of District children with at least one incarcerated parent.
In her testimony, she applauds the Council’s attention on the issues of suicide prevention and trauma experienced by youth with incarcerated parents, while focusing her testimony on benefits from school climate surveys. This includes understanding schools’ strengths, needs and weakness to create healthier teaching and learning environments.
Click below to read her full testimony.