DRO submits testimony on bill to require and fund training for school resource officers
April 10, 2018 / education
Disability Rights Ohio has submitted interested party testimony on Ohio House Bill 318, which would create training requirements for school resources officers and set aside $10 million in funding to help schools pay for the training. DRO hopes the legislature will also consider increasing funding to provide other related and much-needed resources, such as school-based counselors, social workers and mental health providers. From our testimony:
DRO understands the need to protect our students and schools. But we also recognize that consideration should be made to make appropriate investments into school-based mental health services in addition to SROs. This investment would also help to ensure that schools are meeting federal and state special education law requirements that students with disabilities, who need mental health services, receive those services.