Mental & Emotional Health Education Distance Learning Resources

A Message From the Hamilton County School District's
Office of Safe Schools & Mental Health Department

Dear Parent or Guardian:

As you may know, the Florida Department of Education approved new state requirements impacting students this year. Rule 6A-1.094121, F.A.C. required that districts provide a minimum of five hours of required instruction related to mental and emotional health education for students in Grades 6-12.  Rule 6A-1.094122, F.A.C. required school districts to annually provide instruction to students in Grades K-12 related to substance use and abuse health education.  In addition, Rule 6A-1.094122, F.A.C required school districts to annually provide instruction to students in Grades K-12 related to child trafficking prevention and awareness. 

Prior to the COVID-19 crisis, our district was working diligently to meet these mandates, and throughout this process, we have been utilizing instructional materials considered to be informative, beneficial, and age appropriate.   In order to meet the mental and emotional health requirement along with substance abuse education, students in Grades 6-12 were enrolled in an online Apex course.  This course can be accessed through our district's Single Sign-On account.  For students in Grades K-5, the Safer, Smarter, Kids Curriculum was already being taught by designated instructors and guidance personnel.  For your convenience, I am providing links to the resources mentioned along with many other excellent tools and materials.  

As we make it through this difficult time together, I want to thank you for your continued support of our academic programs as well as any assistance that you can provide in helping us meet these state initiatives. If you need to speak with someone from my office regarding safety or mental health concerns, we are available and ready to assist. Please contact me at [email protected] or by phone at 386-792-7814.  Thank you for your time, and I hope that you and your family remain safe and healthy through this unprecedented event.