MS HB832

Creates the "Mental Awareness Program for School Act" requiring educator preparation programs to include mental disturbance awareness and trauma-informed approaches in school discipline and classroom management courses

Sets a goal for public school districts and charter schools to employ at least one school counselor per 250 students; districts lacking funds may employ one counselor to serve all schools on a rotational basis

Requires school counselors or administrators to create trauma-informed teams at each school to identify students impacted by trauma, and provide at least one hour of annual training to staff on recognizing trauma symptoms

Authorizes school districts to partner with the Consortium for Career Development in Social Work Education and Mississippi universities to place master's-level graduate students as school counselor interns

Mandates the Department of Education and Department of Mental Health create a toolkit by July 1, 2022, to assist schools in implementing trauma-informed approaches, with school districts required to submit implementation plans by July 1, 2024