Connecticut General Statutes Title 10. Education and Culture § 10-211a. Peer-to-peer mental health support program; development; training

(a) As used in this section and section 10-211b, “designated staff member” means a teacher, school administrator, school counselor, psychologist, social worker, nurse, physician or school paraeducator employed by a local or regional board of education or working in a public middle school or high school.

(b) Not later than January 1, 2023, the Department of Children and Families shall, in collaboration with the Department of Education, develop a peer-to-peer mental health support program that provides services to aid students in grades six to twelve, inclusive, in problem solving, decision making, conflict resolution and stress management. Such program shall be made available to local and regional boards of education, local health departments, district departments of health, youth services bureaus established pursuant to section 10-19m, municipal social service agencies and other youth-serving organizations approved by the Department of Children and Families. In developing such program, the department shall utilize best practices and may use existing models of peer-to-peer counseling.

(c) On and after January 1, 2023, the Department of Children and Families shall, in collaboration with the Department of Education, provide training to (1) designated staff members selected by the superintendent of schools pursuant to section 10-211b, and (2) employees of local health departments, district departments of health, youth service bureaus established pursuant to section 10-19m, municipal social service agencies and other youth-serving organizations selected pursuant to section 10-211b, on how to implement the peer-to-peer mental health support program and provide instruction, guidance and supervision to students participating in such program.