Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Mental Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Winslow board hears free 'Notice, Talk, Act' mental‑health training pitch for staff
Summary
Douglas Reed introduced the SAMHSA‑funded 'Notice, Talk, Act' training to the Winslow Township School District board, describing a 90–120 minute professional development option and claiming reductions in truancy and discipline; the board signaled interest in pursuing the free training and follow‑up scheduling.
Douglas Reed, identified by the superintendent as CEO of Douglas and Reed LLC and a consultant to the American Psychiatric Association Foundation, presented the 'Notice, Talk, Act' school mental‑health professional development program during the Winslow Township Board of Education meeting on Nov. 25, 2025.
Reed said the training is designed to help K‑12 and higher‑education staff "notice" early warning signs of student mental‑health concerns, "talk" with students to engage and support them, and "act" by referring students to appropriate school or community resources. He described delivery options that include a 90‑minute presentation, a 1–day session, hybrid or virtual sessions, and a train‑the‑trainer model the district could use to sustain local instruction.
Reed told the board the program is offered free to districts through funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and involves ongoing support and materials for participating schools. He cited program‑provided outcome figures (presenter‑reported reductions in truancy and discipline referrals and increases in referrals to support services); those figures were described as program estimates and were not independently verified during the meeting.
Board members expressed interest and asked about session length and prior New Jersey implementations. Reed said he has delivered the training nationally and that, if Winslow proceeds, the district could pilot it locally. The superintendent said administration would work with the presenter and the assistant superintendent to schedule sessions and to determine next steps for offering the training to staff.
The board did not vote on a contract or formal adoption during the meeting; next steps are staff follow‑up and scheduling discussions.
