The School Safety and Resiliency Act affected multiple statutes regarding school safety and student resiliency. Requirements for trauma-informed approaches in education are outlined in the Act and detailed on this page.
District Trauma-Informed Education Plans
Pursuant to KRS 158.4416, each local board of education must develop a plan for implementing a trauma-informed approach in its schools by July 1 annually. At a minimum, the plan shall include strategies for:
- Enhancing trauma awareness throughout the school community;
- Conducting an assessment of the school climate, including but not limited to inclusiveness and respect for diversity;
- Developing trauma-informed discipline policies;
- Collaborating with the Department of Kentucky State Police, the local sheriff, and the local chief of police to create procedures for notification of trauma-exposed students; and
- Providing services and programs designed to reduce the negative impact of trauma, support critical learning, and foster a positive and safe school environment for every student.
Submission of the plan will be incorporated into the Comprehensive District Improvement Plan (CDIP) through the Phase Two: District Trauma-Informed Approach Plan diagnostic in the Cognia Improvement Platform (CIP) and is due annually on November 1. Local boards of education may establish their own timelines for implementing and monitoring plans. KDE’s Trauma-Informed Toolkit provides resources to help identify appropriate strategies to address the required plan elements.
Trauma-Informed Toolkit
KRS 158.4416 requires KDE to make available a toolkit that includes guidance, strategies, behavioral interventions, practices, and techniques to assist school districts and in developing a trauma-informed approach in schools. The following tools are designed to assist in this process: