Here are two great opportunities to take advantage of free training for those who serve our City’s children in collaboration with the City of Alexandria.
Kognito Mental Health Program and Staff Challenge Update
Last fall, ACPS launched the Kognito At-Risk training program for elementary, middle and high school educators on how to recognize and address psychological distress in youth. The online training also offered guidance on how to approach an at-risk student to provide appropriate support services or make a referral.
As an incentive to boost participation, schools were enticed with a free lunch based on the largest percentage of participation at a school.
Congratulations to James K. Polk Elementary School, who came in first with 76 percent of staff completing an At-Risk module. Administrators, teachers and staff will receive a catered lunch provided by our friends in the Department of Human Resources as part of their healthy living campaign.
Alternative programs had a good showing with 61 percent of staff completing an At-Risk module followed by George Mason Elementary with 45 percent.
If you have not completed the training, there is still time!
Our partner, Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services, continues to offer access to this valuable resource.
To create an account and access the training:
- Visit the Kognito website
- Click “Create New Account” on the homepage
- Indicate that you are from Alexandria and note your school name.
- Once logged in on the main member portal page, choose between the appropriate level based on whom you serve.
For recertification points, staff should also enroll in the Kognito course in PLMS – Course Code: 14917 or Section Code 17456. Once you have completed the training, a certificate of completion will be provided by Kognito.
Stewards of Children Training
The Child Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria (CAPCA) is offering free training on how adults can and should protect children from sexual abuse.
Did you know that nearly 70 percent of all reported sexual assaults (including assaults on adults) occur to children age 17 and younger? One in 10 children will be sexually abused by the time they turn 18.
- What can you do to ensure that the children you serve are protected from sexual abuse?
- What can you as an individual (educator, a parent, a grandparent, aunt, uncle, neighbor, coach, mentor) do to make sure that children you know are safe?
- What should you expect from organizations that serve your children?
Participants in the Stewards of Children training learn not just the facts about child sexual abuse but also about proactive steps to take to protect children.
The training will take place on Monday, March 12 from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Center for Alexandria’s Children, 1900 N. Beauregard St.
The training is free, but registration is required. Refreshments will be provided. For additional information contact Susan Britton at susan@alexandriaskids.org
Organizations working together to raise awareness of and end child abuse in the City of Alexandria comprise CAPCA. The members of the coalition are SCAN of Northern Virginia, Healthy Families (Northern Virginia Family Services), Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services, and the Center for Alexandria’s Children.