SB 18-272 Summary

• Establishes the Crisis and Suicide Prevention Training Grant Program within the Department of Public Health and Environment to provide annual funding for comprehensive suicide prevention training for all teachers and staff at Colorado public schools and school districts.

• Authorizes up to $400,000 in grants per year in varying amounts based on school size and need, with priority given to schools and districts whose educators have not yet received such training.

• Requires the Office of Suicide Prevention and School Safety Resource Center to develop training guidelines by November 1, 2018, including application procedures and selection criteria for grant recipients.

• Mandates grant recipients submit written reports within six months of grant expiration detailing training activities, and requires the Department to report annually on grant administration, including numbers of schools served, staff trained, and student enrollment at recipient schools.

• Appropriates $400,000 from the general fund for the 2018-19 fiscal year to establish the Crisis and Suicide Prevention Training Grant Program Fund, with funds continuously appropriated and administrative costs capped at 3% of annual expenditures.