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Anti‑bullying nonprofit urges board to view resiliency program after student suicide‑prevention success story
Summary
Dan Bird, CEO of Speak Life and Bullying, told the Broward School Board the nonprofit's resiliency film and lesson plans have reached thousands of local students and described a student whose life was reportedly changed after viewing the program.
Dan Bird, CEO of the nonprofit Speak Life and Bullying, used his public‑comment time to describe a resiliency film and accompanying 23‑lesson curriculum that the organization is piloting in Broward secondary schools.
Bird said the program has reached more than 15,000 Broward students under a CSC Broward‑supported, renewable grant and that staff and teachers have observed engagement and follow‑up benefit. He recounted a student who told organizers she had been planning to end her life but "the film made her pause long enough to breathe, reflect, and realize there were still things that she wanted to live for," after which school staff intervened and connected her to care.
Bird invited board members to attend assemblies and Q&A sessions, offered continued partnership with the district, and noted the program is under evaluation with Florida Atlantic University. Board members thanked him and said district staff would follow up on the program's data and potential expansion.
No board action was taken during the meeting; the nonprofit said the work is ongoing and invited board members to upcoming events and legislative outreach in Tallahassee.
