Forefront in Schools Comes to Shorewood/Shorecrest
Dear Shoreline Community,
Suicide is the second leading cause of death in Washington State for youth ages 10-24. It is a serious public health, mental health and community-based problem. So, last September, we kicked off a three-year suicide awareness and prevention program through Forefront in the Schools in the Shoreline School District. Over the academic year we have witnessed this innovative program make a tremendous impact on the Shoreline community. We need to raise $25,000 to fund the upcoming year to keep this program operating in our high schools. Please consider making a gift today. (https://www.washington.edu/giving/make-a-gift/?page=make&code=FORESD)
“Being a part of Forefront Suicide Prevention Program, I am more confident in working with students with suicidal ideation and in other crisis situations than any time during my 27 years as a counselor.” -School Counselor
Forefront in the Schools supports a cohort of high schools, over three years, to undertake a comprehensive approach to mental health promotion and suicide prevention. Through engagement by multi-disciplinary teams, each school is able to transform its culture and practices to support its entire community. In the Shoreline School District, Shorecrest and Shorewood have dedicated many hours of staff time and have recruited parents who have volunteered to ensure everyone has access to training and that there are plans and polices in place to support students around suicide prevention and mental health.
Maximize Your Impact with Two Matching Opportunities
Forefront in the Schools is excited that there’s not just one, but two opportunities, to stretch your support through a pool of matching funds. An anonymous donor from Shoreline’s community recognizes that Forefront is not just bringing tools and resources to help Shoreline high schools develop a comprehensive suicide prevention and mental health program, but it is also working to bring the entire community together to transform the conversation around these issues. Our generous donor will match gifts from Shoreline supporters dollar-for-dollar up to $20,000. In order to access this match, you must give by June 1, 2018.
In addition to the Shoreline match, we have an anonymous donor who will match all gifts by 50% received by June 30, 2018. Your gift will generate additional funds to support the entire cohort. Please consider making a contribution today to take advantage of both matching opportunities to increase your gift by 150%!
With your support, together we can foster a world that openly addresses suicide and mental health with compassion and where every individual acts on their capacity to prevent suicide. Please make a gift today or send a check, payable to the UW Foundation, to UW School of Social Work, Advancement Office, Box 354900, Seattle, WA 98195. In the memo section of the check please write: Forefront in the Schools Shoreline.
Thank you for your generous support and partnering with us on such important work!
Gift Website Link: https://www.washington.edu/giving/make-a-gift/?page=make&code=FORESD
P.S. Remember to make your pledge by June 1, 2018 to take full advantage of all of the matching funds.
P.S.S. Please let us know if your company matches charitable contributions.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death in Washington State for youth ages 10-24. It is a serious public health, mental health and community-based problem. So, last September, we kicked off a three-year suicide awareness and prevention program through Forefront in the Schools in the Shoreline School District. Over the academic year we have witnessed this innovative program make a tremendous impact on the Shoreline community. We need to raise $25,000 to fund the upcoming year to keep this program operating in our high schools. Please consider making a gift today. (https://www.washington.edu/giving/make-a-gift/?page=make&code=FORESD)
“Being a part of Forefront Suicide Prevention Program, I am more confident in working with students with suicidal ideation and in other crisis situations than any time during my 27 years as a counselor.” -School Counselor
Forefront in the Schools supports a cohort of high schools, over three years, to undertake a comprehensive approach to mental health promotion and suicide prevention. Through engagement by multi-disciplinary teams, each school is able to transform its culture and practices to support its entire community. In the Shoreline School District, Shorecrest and Shorewood have dedicated many hours of staff time and have recruited parents who have volunteered to ensure everyone has access to training and that there are plans and polices in place to support students around suicide prevention and mental health.
Maximize Your Impact with Two Matching Opportunities
Forefront in the Schools is excited that there’s not just one, but two opportunities, to stretch your support through a pool of matching funds. An anonymous donor from Shoreline’s community recognizes that Forefront is not just bringing tools and resources to help Shoreline high schools develop a comprehensive suicide prevention and mental health program, but it is also working to bring the entire community together to transform the conversation around these issues. Our generous donor will match gifts from Shoreline supporters dollar-for-dollar up to $20,000. In order to access this match, you must give by June 1, 2018.
In addition to the Shoreline match, we have an anonymous donor who will match all gifts by 50% received by June 30, 2018. Your gift will generate additional funds to support the entire cohort. Please consider making a contribution today to take advantage of both matching opportunities to increase your gift by 150%!
With your support, together we can foster a world that openly addresses suicide and mental health with compassion and where every individual acts on their capacity to prevent suicide. Please make a gift today or send a check, payable to the UW Foundation, to UW School of Social Work, Advancement Office, Box 354900, Seattle, WA 98195. In the memo section of the check please write: Forefront in the Schools Shoreline.
Thank you for your generous support and partnering with us on such important work!
Gift Website Link: https://www.washington.edu/giving/make-a-gift/?page=make&code=FORESD
P.S. Remember to make your pledge by June 1, 2018 to take full advantage of all of the matching funds.
P.S.S. Please let us know if your company matches charitable contributions.
Supporting documents:
2016 Healthy South Survey Results - Mental Health
Forefront in the Schools Overview
The Shoreline School District, staff, PTSA, and community members are collaborating to bring the Forefront in School's suicide prevention program to the Shoreline School District high schools this fall.
While the School District and the leadership in both high schools are fully on board with (and excited about) this program, this will be funded completely by private donations.
Contributions are tax deductible. The cost is $25,000/year to cover both schools, and it is a 3 year program. Any funds raised over this first year will automatically be applied to years 2 and 3. Find the donation page here.
We need to raise the bulk of the first year’s cost by September 27, when the first Fall Academy session for our leadership teams meets.
Read more:
Suicide among youth is a serious public health, mental health and community-based problem. In fact, suicide is the second leading cause of death in Washington State for youth ages 10-24. Twice as many young people die by suicide than by homicide in Washington State and we lose two youth to suicide each week on average. The suicide rate in Washington State has been increasing steadily since 2006.
Shoreline high schools have elected to participate in a 3-year cohort of 16 area schools with Forefront, an organization connected with the University of Washington and a leader in suicide prevention and education. Forefront in the Schools (FIS) will assist us in a comprehensive review, developing systematic supports and providing community education promoting mental health and suicide prevention.
The FIS program uses a “train the trainer” model for students, parents, faculty, and staff to help prevent suicide. This reduces the stigma of mental illness and makes schools safer, more welcoming, healthier environments where everyone can thrive. The program also supports policy enhancement, social/emotional learning, leadership opportunities for students and builds community by engaging leadership across groups because everyone has a role to play in suicide prevention.
Components of the FIS model include:
Multi‐disciplinary teams of 6‐8 members from each school, comprised of parents, students, teachers, administrators and school counselors. Monthly meetings over 3 school years.
A cohort model that includes shared learning and support to do this life‐saving work.
Forefront’s LEARN™ curriculum:
· 90‐minute training by parents for parents.
· 90‐minute training by teachers for teachers.
· 1‐day fall academy for all teams each year.
· Extensive revisions to, or creation of, suicide prevention, intervention, assessment, re‐entry, and recovery procedures.
· Enhanced linkages with mental health referral network.
· Teacher and student led training and mental health promotion week.
· Half‐day end‐of‐year meeting for all teams each year.
This is a very important thing to support, even if you do not have a teen who is experiencing anxiety, depression or suicidal thoughts. So many of our kids, our kids' friends, our kids' parents, or our neighbors are at risk... and we don't have enough people in our community who know what to do with the information if we find out that someone is struggling.
Please consider contributing and spreading the word that this is happening in our community.
Please also keep your eyes open for programs and events outside of the schools that support community education and involvement in both suicide prevention and mental health.
2016 Healthy South Survey Results - Mental Health
Forefront in the Schools Overview
The Shoreline School District, staff, PTSA, and community members are collaborating to bring the Forefront in School's suicide prevention program to the Shoreline School District high schools this fall.
While the School District and the leadership in both high schools are fully on board with (and excited about) this program, this will be funded completely by private donations.
Contributions are tax deductible. The cost is $25,000/year to cover both schools, and it is a 3 year program. Any funds raised over this first year will automatically be applied to years 2 and 3. Find the donation page here.
We need to raise the bulk of the first year’s cost by September 27, when the first Fall Academy session for our leadership teams meets.
Read more:
Suicide among youth is a serious public health, mental health and community-based problem. In fact, suicide is the second leading cause of death in Washington State for youth ages 10-24. Twice as many young people die by suicide than by homicide in Washington State and we lose two youth to suicide each week on average. The suicide rate in Washington State has been increasing steadily since 2006.
Shoreline high schools have elected to participate in a 3-year cohort of 16 area schools with Forefront, an organization connected with the University of Washington and a leader in suicide prevention and education. Forefront in the Schools (FIS) will assist us in a comprehensive review, developing systematic supports and providing community education promoting mental health and suicide prevention.
The FIS program uses a “train the trainer” model for students, parents, faculty, and staff to help prevent suicide. This reduces the stigma of mental illness and makes schools safer, more welcoming, healthier environments where everyone can thrive. The program also supports policy enhancement, social/emotional learning, leadership opportunities for students and builds community by engaging leadership across groups because everyone has a role to play in suicide prevention.
Components of the FIS model include:
Multi‐disciplinary teams of 6‐8 members from each school, comprised of parents, students, teachers, administrators and school counselors. Monthly meetings over 3 school years.
A cohort model that includes shared learning and support to do this life‐saving work.
Forefront’s LEARN™ curriculum:
· 90‐minute training by parents for parents.
· 90‐minute training by teachers for teachers.
· 1‐day fall academy for all teams each year.
· Extensive revisions to, or creation of, suicide prevention, intervention, assessment, re‐entry, and recovery procedures.
· Enhanced linkages with mental health referral network.
· Teacher and student led training and mental health promotion week.
· Half‐day end‐of‐year meeting for all teams each year.
This is a very important thing to support, even if you do not have a teen who is experiencing anxiety, depression or suicidal thoughts. So many of our kids, our kids' friends, our kids' parents, or our neighbors are at risk... and we don't have enough people in our community who know what to do with the information if we find out that someone is struggling.
Please consider contributing and spreading the word that this is happening in our community.
Please also keep your eyes open for programs and events outside of the schools that support community education and involvement in both suicide prevention and mental health.
