September 10, 2018

Mental Health A Focus At School Safety Conference

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jennifer McCormick (R) and U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) talk school safety during a press conference Monday. - Carter Barrett/WFYI

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jennifer McCormick (R) and U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) talk school safety during a press conference Monday.

Carter Barrett/WFYI

Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Jennifer McCormick says mental health is an increasing part of the school safety conversation.

Thousands of school leaders and safety specialists gathered in downtown Indianapolis Monday for the School Safety Academy, the largest of such conferences to date. 

McCormick referenced the creation of a Social-Emotional and Behavior Wellness assistant director. The position in the Indiana Department of Education works across agencies at the state and local levels to encourage conversations about mental health in schools.

“It’s tricky because your system of care in Randolph County looks different than in Lake County than here in Marion County," McCormick says. "The celebration is we are watching it, we have people owning that work and there’s an eagerness across agencies to get it right.”

The conference comes in wake of the May shooting at Noblesville West Middle School, which both Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) and McCormick referenced during the press conference.

Support independent journalism today. You rely on WFYI to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Donate to power our nonprofit reporting today. Give now.

 

Related News

Indiana lawmakers signal focus on school choice expansion for 2025 session
Here's what to know about Linda McMahon, Trump's pick for education secretary
Mike Braun picks education transition team, gives first look at what could change for Hoosier students