Episode 39: Suicide Awareness and Prevention – From ACSA’s ECC Symposium to the COVID-19 Crisis

Let’s Talk - Lozano Smith Podcast

While on location at the Association of California School Administrators’ (ACSA) 2020 Annual Every Child Counts Symposium (ECC), host Sloan Simmons talked with Lozano Smith attorney and ECC presenter Jennifer Baldassari, and Nathan Moreno, Director of Special Education at Soledad Unified School District (as of July 1, 2020, Director of Special Education at Guadalupe Union School District), regarding student suicide risk assessments, child find, case law, and suicide prevention. This timely discussion highlights recent legislative changes in the area of suicide prevention, and includes ideas on resources and best practices to consider when addressing the topic of suicide prevention in California school districts. Bonus material recorded during school campus closures provides additional resources for helping students during the present crisis.

Show Notes & References

• 3:35 – Student v. Golden Plains USD (OAH 2019) OAH Case No. 2019040042
• 10:10 – School avoidance podcast episodes (Part 1 & Part 2)
• 14:22 – Completing a risk assessment
• 17:31 – Student Records
• 18:40 – Importance of risk assessments
• 21:04 – Impacts of 13 Reasons Why and Social Media
• 22:34 – Frequency of training
• 24:03 – AB 1767
• 24:36 – AB 34
• 24:52 – CDE & CSBA suicide prevention toolkits
• 26:07 – Support to a district and community if a suicide occurs
• 30:03 – Addressing suicide prevention and mental health issues during distance-learning times

For more information on the topics discussed in this podcast, please visit our website at: www.lozanosmith.com/podcast.