(1) The department, with assistance from the office of suicide prevention created pursuant to section 25-1.5-101 (1)(w)(I), the Colorado youth advisory council created pursuant to section 22-1302, and the suicide prevention commission created pursuant to section 25-1.5-111, shall create and maintain a resource bank of evidence-based, research-based, and promising program materials and curricula pertaining to mental health, which materials and curricula may be used in elementary and secondary schools in the state. The resource bank and curricula must be youthfriendly, culturally sensitive, and available in both English and Spanish. In creating the resource bank and curricula, the department may provide internet links to resources and materials pertaining to mental health available from other entities that the department finds reliable. Additionally, the department shall solicit input from persons, including youth, within and outside of the mental health profession, including both community and school mental health professionals. Subject to available appropriations, the department shall solicit requests for information and may contract for:
The organization and enhancement of the resource bank, including materials on theprevention of suicide and education on mental health;
The development of mental health curricula for schools and providing such curriculato schools; and
Training for educators and school staff concerning mental health.
On and after July 1, 2020, the department shall make material in the resource bankavailable without charge to school districts, charter schools, institute charter schools, boards of cooperative services, professional educators, parents or guardians of youth, students, and community providers. At the request of a school district, charter school, institute charter school, or board of cooperative services, the department shall provide technical assistance to the school district, charter school, institute charter school, or board of cooperative services in designing age-appropriate curricula pertaining to mental health.
The materials and resources available to students must be developed and updatedwith input from youth.
School districts, charter schools, institute charter schools, and boards of cooperativeservices are encouraged to report to the department on the effectiveness of the resource bank and curricula and to recommend changes to improve the resource bank or curricula. The department is encouraged to update the resource bank and curricula based on recommendations from school districts, charter schools, institute charter schools, boards of cooperative services, professional educators, parents or guardians of youth, students, and community providers.
Source: L. 2019: Entire section added, (HB 19-1120), ch. 197, p. 2149, § 4, effective May 16.
Cross references: For the legislative declaration in HB 19-1120, see section 1 of chapter 197, Session Laws of Colorado 2019.