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EdAdvance offers a variety of consultation and planning options in partnership with member districts and schools to foster and support the continuous improvement of student learning. Consultation & Planning We offer a variety of consultation and planning options in partnership with member districts and schools to foster and support the continuous improvement of student learning. As our districts seek to meet Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards, transition to digital learning environments, and employ more sophisticated data-based instructional decision-making, the professional development staff at EdAdvance is poised to support all manner of systemic school improvement efforts. Our staff is always responsive to changing markets and needs and we stand ready, as conditions and requirements change, to facilitate discussions and planning to make new cost-effective regional student services available to all of our member districts. We also provide professional development and consultation services for early childhood and after school providers. Our professional development and consultation services are recognized as exemplary and much sought after by school districts, early care providers and after school providers. Services Professional Development, Consultation, and Training are provided in: 21st Century Skills Assessment, Measurement, and Evaluation Assisting English Learners Before and After School Services Bring Your Own Device Cross-Content Integration Cultural Competence Capacity Curriculum Development, Revision, and Standards Alignment Data Tools & Analysis Data-Driven Decision Making / Data Teams Development of Performance-Based Learning and Assessment Digital Tools for Learning Early & Secondary Literacy Effective Teaching Strategies Embedded Task Training Examining Student Work Group Facilitation Holistic Accountability Inquiry Based Instruction Instructional Coaching Leadership Training Making Standards Work Numeracy One-to-one device models Online Learning / Odysseyware® Open Source Technology Personalized Learning Problem Solving Readers/Writers Workshop Reading & Writing Across the Disciplines School Improvement Strategic and Coherence Planning/Portrait of a Graduate Development Systems Organization Technology Integration For more info, contact: Lisa A. Bowden Assistant Executive Director 860-567-0863 x1117 Email

< Back Talk Tuesday: Community of Practice May 5, 2026 Zoom 10:00 AM — 11:00 AM Free Register Biweekly virtual gatherings focused on attendance & engagement Open to all – educators, staff, community partners, and leaders Interactive learning opportunity & professional community Meeting topics include: Effective Attendance Teams Student Health & Wellness MTSS Strategies & Interventions Strengthening Family Partnerships Home Visiting Best Practices We will be joined by Attendance Works experts at both Talk Tuesdays in August!

EdAvance's Service are includes 29 of Connecticut's public school districts and 32 communities throughout western Connecticut including: Barkhamsted, Bethel, Brookfield, Canaan, Colebrook, Cornwall, Danbury, Kent, Litchfield, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Norfolk, North Canaan, Plymouth, Salisbury, Sharon, Sherman, The Gilbert School, Thomaston, Torrington, Watertown, Winchester, Region 1, Region 6, Region 7, Region 12, and Region 14. Member Districts District Links Region Links Barkhamsted Bethel Brookfield Canaan Colebrook Cornwall Danbury Hartland Kent Litchfield New Fairfield New Hartford New Milford Newtown Norfolk North Canaan Plymouth Salisbury Sharon Sherman The Gilbert School Thomaston Torrington Watertown Winchester Region 1 Canaan Cornwall Kent North Canaan Salisbury Sharon Region 7 Barkhamsted Colebrook New Hartford Norfolk Region 12 Bridgewater Roxbury Washington Region 14 Bethlehem Woodbury Region 15 Middlebury Southbury Region 20 Goshen Morris Warren Litchfield

Early Start CT Family Programs Early Childhood & Family Programs Quality early childhood experiences, which are grounded in developmentally appropriate practices, provide a solid foundation for learning that has long term positive benefits for children. The early childhood programs provide high quality educational experiences. All of our programs provide comprehensive child development and family support services that support the social, emotional, physical, and educational development of children and families in our programs. We also provide professional development and consultation services for early childhood and after school providers. Our professional development and consultation services are recognized as exemplary and much sought after by school districts, early care providers, and after school providers. Early Childhood Training, Coaching and Consultation Provides high quality training to early care and education staff throughout our region, including workshops, nationally recognized speakers, college courses, and training in leadership and administration. Consultation, monitoring, evaluation, coaching and training are provided to school districts and early childhood providers with a focus on curriculum, assessment, and the preschool environment. Professional development includes specialized focus on infant and toddler development and infant mental health. Accreditation support and quality improvement services are provided to early childhood programs seeking National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation. Ongoing supports include: group and individual support meetings and study groups, professional development workshops, individualized onsite coaching, and technical assistance. Lori Borysewicz Early Childhood Specialist 860.516.7002 x1345 | Email Jolie Garfinkel Early Childhood Specialist 860.567.0863 x1173 | Email Kristen Kennen Early Childhood Specialist 860.567.0863 x1189 | Email Sarah Witkiewicz Early Childhood Specialist 959.599.4599 | Email Anne Giordano Early Childhood Specialist 860.567.0863 x1201 | Email Kate Zeidler Early Childhood Specialist 860.567.0863 x1405 | Email Early Start CT Initiative Early Start CT includes affordable, accessible, and quality preschool child care experiences for children ages 3-4, preparing them to succeed in school. EdAdvance directly supports Early Start CT programs in Danbury, North Canaan, Plymouth, and Thomaston. Support services include facilitating the work of the Councils, providing training for child care staff and directors, and supporting the national accreditation. Danbury Eileen Costello 860.567.0863 x1160 | Email Plymouth Lori Borysewicz 860.283.6167 | Email North Canaan Kate Zeidler 860.567.0863 x1405 | Email Thomaston Michelle Anderson 860.567.0863 x1177 | Email Community Planning for Young Children We convene community groups, parents, and business partners to plan services and supports to increase positive outcomes for children that ensure children are ready and healthy to enter school. Danbury Eileen Costello 860.567.0863 x1160 | Email Litchfield Michelle Anderson 860.567.0863 x1177 | Email Litchfield County Family Child Care Network The Litchfield County Family Child Care Network supports approximately 30 family child care providers in northwest Connecticut through professional learning focused on early childhood development and education and strengthening business practices. LCFCCN has created ongoing opportunities for family child care providers to network with one another and connect with EdAdvance staff about community resources and expertise to enhance the quality of their centers. A directory of participating child care centers can be found here . Contact: Michelle Anderson, Director of Early Childhood & Family Programs 860.567.0863 x1177 | Email For more info, contact: Michelle Anderson Director of Early Childhood & Family Programs 860-567-0863 x1177 Email

EdAdvance was established under Connecticut Statute 10-66, a-m, and is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of members from local Boards of Education, for the purpose of “cooperative action to furnish programs and services.” Board of Directors President: John Kissko Vice-President: Roxy Fainer Secretary: Deb Bell Treasurer: Joseph Abdella Executive Committee Member at Large: Sarah Robichaud District Representative Region 12 Joseph Abdella Region 15 Sharon Attick Thomaston Roxy Fainer Torrington John Kissko Watertown Christine Faressa Region 7 Deb Bell Plymouth Karen Kulesa Newtown Alison Plante New Hartford Deirdre Tindall New Fairfield Dominic Cipollone Danbury Kate Conetta Colebrook Sarah Robichaud Barkhamsted Mary Kate Terzini Meeting Schedule 2025-2026 Agenda & Minutes August 2025 - June 2026 August Agenda (PDF) Minutes (PDF) September Agenda (PDF) Minutes (PDF) October Agenda (PDF) Minutes (PDF) November Agenda (PDF) Minutes (PDF) December Agenda (PDF) Minutes (PDF) January Agenda (PDF) Minutes (PDF) February Agenda (PDF) Minutes (PDF) March Agenda (PDF) Minutes (PDF) April Agenda (PDF) Minutes (PDF) May Agenda (PDF) Minutes (PDF) June Agenda (PDF) Minutes (PDF) Agenda & Minutes August 2024 - June 2025 August Agenda (PDF) Minutes (PDF) September Agenda (PDF) Minutes (PDF) October Agenda (PDF) Minutes (PDF) November Agenda (PDF) Minutes (PDF) December Agenda (PDF) Minutes (PDF) January Agenda (PDF) Minutes (PDF) February Agenda (PDF) Minutes (PDF) March Agenda (PDF) Minutes (PDF) April Agenda (PDF) Minutes (PDF) May Agenda (PDF) Minutes (PDF) June Agenda (PDF) Minutes (PDF) Board Policies Bullying Purpose – EdAdvance believes that all students and staff have the right to attend a school that promotes a secure and safe school climate conducive to teaching and learning and free from threat, harassment, and any type of bullying behavior. Therefore, a policy which addresses this type of behavior, applicable to all constituencies, is necessary. General Guidelines – EdAdvance's policy on bullying behavior seeks to accomplish the following goals: To promote a secure and safe environment free from threat, harassment, and all types of bullying behavior; To take action to prevent bullying from occurring; To require any staff member who witnesses acts of bullying or receives student reports of bullying to notify school administrators; To inform parents and students of the school’s expectations through the published student code of conduct; To foster productive partnerships that promote a bully free environment; To notify students annually of their right to file an anonymous complaint; To enable students to report bullying incidents in a non-threatening or anonymous manner; To enable parents or guardians to file written reports of suspected bullying; To develop a recording and reporting system that documents verified incidents of bullying behaviors; To establish procedures for school administrators to investigate and respond to written complaints or anonymous reports of bullying; To notify parents or guardians of the student(s) who commit acts of bullying and the parents or guardians of the student(s) against whom acts of bullying were committed of verified reports of bullying including a description of the response by the school staff and consequences that may result from the commission of further acts of bullying; To make the staff aware of their role in fostering the knowledge and attitudes that will be required to achieve the above goals; To consider case by case interventions under specific circumstances. Definition of Bullying Bullying can be defined as any overt acts by a student, group of students, or an adult directed against another student or adult. These acts are repeated against the same student or adult over time, with the intent to ridicule, humiliate, harass or intimidate the other individual while on school grounds, while being transported on a school vehicle, or at a school-sponsored activity. Bullying takes many forms and may include many different behaviors, such as, but not limited to: Physical violence and attacks; Verbal taunts, name-calling and put-downs, including ethnically or racially based verbal abuse and gender based put-downs; Threats and intimidation; Extortion or stealing of money and possessions; Exclusion from the peer group. Green Cleaning Policy Purpose – EdAdvance is committed to procuring and using environmentally preferable cleaning products in our facilities. Consistent with state law, no person shall use a cleaning product inside a facility unless such cleaning product meets guidelines or environmental standards approved by the Department of Administrative Services, in consultation with the Commissioner of Environmental Protection. Such cleaning product shall, to the maximum extent possible, minimize the potential harmful impact on human health and the environment. General Guidelines – Environmentally preferable cleaning product For the purpose of this policy, the term “environmentally preferable cleaning product” includes, but is not limited to: general purpose cleaners bathroom cleaners carpet cleaners glass cleaners floor finishes floor strippers hand cleaners soaps The term “environmentally preferable cleaning product” does not include: (a) any disinfectant, disinfecting cleaner, sanitizer or any other antimicrobial product regulated by the federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, 7 USC 136 et seq.; or (b) any product for which no guideline or environmental standard has been established by any national or international certification program approved by the Department of Administrative Services, or which is outside the scope of or is otherwise excluded under guidelines or environmental standards established by such a national or international certification program. Notice of Green Cleaning Program- Annually, EdAdvance shall provide the staff of each school and the parents and guardians of each child enrolled in each school with a written statement of the school district’s green cleaning program. Such notice shall include: (1) the types and names of environmentally preferable cleaning products being applied in schools; (2) the location of the application of such cleaning products in the school buildings and facilities; (3) the schedule of when such cleaning products are applied in the school buildings and facilities; (4) the statement, “No parent, guardian, teacher or staff member may bring into the school facility any consumer product which is intended to clean, deodorize, sanitize or disinfect.”; and (5) the name of the school administrator, or a designee, who may be contacted for further information. Such notice shall be provided to the parents or guardians of any child who transfers to a school during the school year and to staff hired during the school year. EdAdvance shall make such notice, as well as the report submitted to the Department of Education available on its website and the website of each school under EdAdvance’s jurisdiction. If no such website exists, EdAdvance shall make such notice otherwise publicly available. List of Green Cleaning Products used in Litchfield List of Green Cleaning Products used in Danbury and Torrington

EdAdvance's uniquely qualified professional staff collaborates with school district special education directors, teachers, parents/guardians, students, and specialized service providers to offer personalized instruction and supports for students. Our staff also provides program development expertise, PPT facilitation, professional development, transportation, and personnel services to schools, districts, and regional organizations. Transportation Reaching Every Direction (TRED) TRED provides free transportation services to eligible Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) clients in Northwestern Connecticut. TRED staff is available to arrange and provide transportation to and from your home to necessary appointments. Eligible appointments are: Employment Interviews Medical Appointments Group and Individual Therapy/Counseling Educational Classes Food Shopping Legal Appointments Healthy Socialization and Recreational Activities TRED services are available Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. To learn more or schedule a ride, contact Sara Blacker at 860.482.1852. For more info, contact: Mike Lorusso Director of Transportation 860-567-0863 x1131 Email

< Back Talk Tuesday: Community of Practice May 19, 2026 Zoom 10:00 AM — 11:00 AM Free Register Biweekly virtual gatherings focused on attendance & engagement Open to all – educators, staff, community partners, and leaders Interactive learning opportunity & professional community Meeting topics include: Effective Attendance Teams Student Health & Wellness MTSS Strategies & Interventions Strengthening Family Partnerships Home Visiting Best Practices We will be joined by Attendance Works experts at both Talk Tuesdays in August!

Events Planning & Conference Services Do you need assistance planning an upcoming event or conference? EdAdvance staff will help you with all of the details, from the planning stages to execution. We are able to either host your event at our facility or assist you with selecting the right venue for your event. Full-scale catering is available onsite and offsite. Our experienced staff has organized a variety of large-scale events, including a national speaker series, statewide and local conferences, conferences on behalf of the State Department of Education and other statewide organizations, and more. We also have the expertise and ability to design and produce all of your conference or workshop materials. Litchfield Campus Our agency’s main campus in Litchfield is nestled in the picturesque Litchfield Hills and conveniently located on Route 63. The nearly 6,500 square feet of meeting space makes EdAdvance’s Litchfield campus an excellent venue for all of your functions. EdAdvance offers an atmosphere of comfort and unparalleled service, allowing guests to focus on their work in a quiet and relaxing environment. Meeting Space Our rooms can accommodate up to 250 guests, and all are fully equipped to meet your needs. LCD and overhead projectors, screens, TVs, DVDs/VCRs, microphones, and flip charts are available for your use. In addition, we have wireless mobile capabilities and T-1 lines for Internet access. We also offer a computer lab that can accommodate 20 users as well as several mobile labs. Video conferencing is also available upon request. Onsite office services include high speed copiers, fax, and postage equipment. This equipment is accessible Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Availability EdAdvance’s Litchfield campus is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., for either a full- or half-day. Evening and weekend hours can also be arranged. Please contact us for more information or to arrange a tour. Catering Full-scale catering is available onsite and offsite. Our professional Food Services staff will provide competitively priced and delicious breakfasts, luncheons, dinners, and/or light refreshments. We will work with you to customize a health-conscious menu that suits your participants’ needs, including special dietary requests. Please note, a delivery charge does apply to any offsite catering. Conference Registration Let our staff manage your entire conference registration process, regardless of whether or not your event is held at EdAdvance. We have expertise in online registration design and management, processing payments, contract negotiation, communicating with presenters, catering management, and audiovisual/technology equipment. We are also available to assist your staff with your onsite registration process. Hotel Accommodations & Transportation If you’re planning an event that requires overnight accommodations, our staff will help you secure a block of hotel rooms in the area. If you expect a large number of guests to attend your event, we will make arrangements to assist with transportation, including shuttle service. Presenter and Venue Procurement Our staff will assist you in finding presenters who fit your specific professional development needs. We will match you with the appropriate keynote speaker or facilitator to plan and lead your meetings, focus groups, and planning sessions. Should you wish to hold an event at another venue in the area, we will help you find a facility that best meets your needs. Conference Materials Design & Production Our staff will work with you to design and produce all promotional materials for your meeting or conference. Please contact us to discuss your needs. For more info, contact: Carol Montory Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director 860-567-0863 x114 Email

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Increasing School-Based Mental Health Services in Rural Northwestern CT (SBMHS-NW CT) is a multi-pronged approach to increase the number of credentialed school-based mental health providers and services. Overriding project goals are to increase the number of credentialed SBMH providers and increase SBMH services in small rural schools in NW CT. This effort will be managed by EdAdvance staff. School-Based Mental Health Services in Rural NW CT EdAdvance has been awarded an $8.7 million U.S. Department of Education grant to increase school-based mental health services in 32 K-12 schools in Northwestern CT over the next five years. This multi-pronged approach aims to increase the number of credentialed school-based mental health providers and service in small rural schools in northwestern Connecticut. " EdAdvance’s mission has always been to promote the success of school districts and communities. We’ve been given a unique opportunity to have a profound impact on the well-being of students and schools in our region and are so pleased to lead this initiative,” shared Dr. Jeffrey Kitching, Executive Director of EdAdvance. 32 schools serving students from grades Pre-K to 12 in 20 communities throughout the northwestern corner include: Barkhamsted Elementary Bethlehem Elementary Booth Free Botelle Elementary Colebrook Consolidated Cornwall Consolidated Explorations Charter School Goshen Center Mary P. Hinsdale Housatonic Valley Regional High School Kellogg Elementary Kent Center Litchfield Center Litchfield Intermediate Litchfield Middle School Litchfield High School Mitchell Elementary James Morris Nonnewaug High School North Canaan Elementary Northwestern Regional High School Northwestern Regional Middle School Pearson School Salisbury Central Sharon Center Shepaug Valley School The Burnham School Wamogo Regional High School Wamogo Regional Middle School Warren Elementary Washington Primary Woodbury Middle School Meet the Team We welcome 17 credentialed school-based mental health professionals to the project. For more info, contact: Judith Palmer, Ed.D. Director of School Climate & Mental Health Services 860-567-0863 x1166 Email EdAdvance School Based Mental Health Student Scholarship Application Apply to School Based Mental Health Professional Opening Why EdAdvance? Who We Are EdAdvance is a public nonprofit Regional Educational Service Center (RESC) created in 1966 under Connecticut General Statute 10-66a. Our mission is to promote the success of school districts and their communities. Collaboratively with them, we provide educational and related services. A continuing commitment to quality and excellence is our standard of performance. 640+ Employees 29 School Districts Served 46,000 Students Served What We Offer Employees EdAdvance values the benefits a diverse workforce brings to our students and community. We are committed to recruiting, supporting, mentoring, coaching and sustaining a highly motivated, diverse, dedicated, and enthusiastic staff. As an employee of EdAdvance, you can look forward to: A highly collaborative work environment A high employee retention rate and recognition for years of service (at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years) Comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental Insurance (30+ hours/week) Health & wellness programs Reimbursement for Professional Development Staff learning days Agency-wide annual celebrations

EdAdvance general and online policies: non-discrimination, Title IX, Website Accessibility, Copyright, Disclaimer of Liability, and Online Conduct. Policies Non-Discrimination Policy EdAdvance does not discriminate in any of its programs, activities, or employment practices on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, veteran, marital or familial status, ancestry, genetic information, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA Director, Office of Civil Rights, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, 450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 2, Hartford, CT 06103-1835. Title IX and Complaints of Gender Discrimination and/or Unlawful Harassment For Title IX and complaints of gender discrimination and/or unlawful harassment, please contact: Title IX Coordinator/Investigator, Aisha Alam 860-567-0863 ext.1311 alam@edadvance.org Title IX Decision Maker, Rose Forzano 860-567-0863 ext.1111 forzano@edadvance.org Title IX Appeal Decision Maker, Tracey Lay 860-567-0863 ext.1143 lay@edadvance.org Title IX Complaint Form The New Title IX Regulations, October 2020 Title IX Final Regulations, November 2022 2020 Title IX Regulations (Reinstated) Website Accessibility EdAdvance is committed to ensuring accessibility of its website for students, parents, and members of the community with disabilities. In the event that inaccessible content or functionality is encountered, such content should be reported so that the content or functionality can be made accessible. If, because of a disability, you are unable to access content on EdAdvance's website, have questions about the accessibility of content or technology used by EdAdvance, and/or would like to report barriers to accessing any technology used by EdAdvance, including this website, please contact: Devonna Dionne, MBA Director of Marketing & Communications dionne@edadvance.org 860.567.0863 Online Policies Copyright As a user of the web site, you acknowledge and agree that the content (photos, images, design layout and text) placed on the EdAdvance Web Site is protected by copyright, trademark and other intellectual property laws. Users may download the content the content only for your personal non-commercial use. The content may not otherwise be copied or modified without the written permission of EdAdvance. The information on EdAdvance’s Web Site is provided solely for educational and informational purposes. All information placed on the web site shall be and remain the property of EdAdvance. Disclaimer of Liability The user assumes all responsibility and risk for the use of this web site and the Internet generally. EdAdvance makes no warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, for the services provided in connection with the use of the website. Under no circumstances, including negligence, shall EdAdvance, it’s programs, or its employees or anyone else involved in creating or maintaining this web site be liable for any DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL or CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, or LOST PROFITS that result from the use or inability to use the web site and/or any other web sites which are linked to this site. Nor shall EdAdvance, it’s programs, or its employees or anyone else involved be liable for any such damages including, but not limited to, reliance by a member or visitor on any information obtained via the web site; or that result from mistakes, omissions, interruptions, deletion of files, viruses, errors, defects, or any failure of performance, communications failure, theft, destruction or unauthorized access. In states which do not allow some or all of the above limitations of liability, liability shall be limited to the greatest extent allowed by law. Online Conduct Visitors agree to use the web site only for lawful purposes and are prohibited from posting on the web site any unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory or obscene material of any kind, including, but not limited to, any material which encourages conduct that would constitute a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability or otherwise would violate any applicable local, state, national or international law. This applies to any posting that could be termed as Sexual Harassment and or Discrimination. Users also agree that they will not attempt to gain unauthorized access to the web site or go beyond their authorized access. Attempting to subvert network security, to impair functionality or disrupt the operation of the network, to bypass restrictions set by the administrators, or to destroy data by spreading computer viruses or by any other means is prohibited. The use of EdAdvance’s web site is a privilege, not a right. Inappropriate use will result in cancellation of a user’s privilege.

EdAdvance, provides Mental Health First Aid, Youth Mental Health First Aid, Teen Mental Health First Aid, and QPR Suicide Prevention Training.  Mental Health First Aid Training No-Cost Mental Health Awareness Training in Western Connecticut EdAdvance, in collaboration with project partners Apex Community Services, Greenwoods Counseling and Referral Services, and Western CT Coalition, provides Mental Health First Aid , Youth Mental Health First Aid , Teen Mental Health First Aid , and QPR Suicide Prevention Training . These trainings are open to community-based organizations, faith-based institutions, schools, veterans, family members of active service personnel and veterans, current and future health care professionals, educators, and other school personnel, those serving individuals at risk of substance use disorder, and the general public at no cost to participants. Mental Health First Aid Trainings are certification programs developed by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Learners can choose to meet virtually, in-person, or as a blended model where they complete a portion of the training as a self-paced online course, followed by a multi-hour, instructor-led training. The instructor-led portion of the blended model can be scheduled as a Zoom video conference or as an in-person class. Adult Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a 7.5-hour certification class that teaches adults how to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health or substance use challenges, offer and initiate help, and guide an adult to appropriate care if necessary. We offer MHFA customized for college students (including future health care professionals and educators), veterans, active military and their families (focusing on military culture and unique risk factors) and Older Adults (focusing on unique experiences and needs of adults over age 65). MHFA is for any adult who wants to be better prepared to help individuals experiencing a mental health challenge. Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is a 7.5-hour certification class that focuses on early identification of mental health issues in adolescents, protective and risk factors, and how to safely initiate appropriate connections to services. It includes recognizing and responding to crisis and non-crisis situations and teaches how to reduce stigma around mental health. YMHFA is for any adult who works, volunteers, or intersects with youth and adolescents, and is especially helpful for middle and high school teachers and other school personnel. Teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA ) is a 4.5-hour certification class split over 3 days (1.5 hours each day) and is for students in grades 10-12. Teens will learn how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges in their friends and peers. They will learn about the impact of school violence and bullying on mental health and how to seek the help of a responsible and trusted adult. tMHFA is for high schools and youth-serving organizations and may be scheduled fully in-person or as a blended model. QPR is a 1.5-hour suicide prevention training program (virtual or in person) designed to teach “gatekeepers” who are strategically positioned to recognize and refer someone at risk of suicide, the warning signs of a suicide crisis, and how to respond by following three steps: Question the individual’s desire or intent regarding suicide; Persuade the person to seek and accept help; Refer the person to appropriate resources. QPR is the most widely distributed gatekeeper training program in the world. QPR Training, if in-person, may be scheduled at a site selected by the group of participants. QPR Training is open to both adults and high school students . These no-cost mental health trainings are made possible through a generous grant from SAMHSA. Mental Health First Aid programs are valued at $170 per learner. For more information or to schedule a training workshop, please contact: Dana Packer, MHAT-WCT Program Coordinator, at packer@edadvance.org or 860.567.0863 ext. 1294. We are happy to work with you to schedule a training workshop that meets your group’s specific needs. For more info, contact: Abby Rose Director of Grants & Special Programs 860-567-0863 x1166 Email Mental Health First Aid Youth Mental Health First Aid Teen Mental Health First Aid QPR