This bill establishes a Train the Trainer Program for Student Wellbeing within the New Jersey Department of Education, aimed at equipping participants with the skills to lead training courses for public school teachers and staff on student behavioral and mental health. The program will cover various topics, including trauma-informed approaches, recognizing signs of mental health challenges, restorative practices, and methods to foster a positive school climate. The Department of Education is authorized to collaborate with organizations experienced in providing evidence-based youth behavioral and mental health training to implement this program. Importantly, participation in the program is not mandatory for school districts.

Additionally, the bill mandates the Commissioner of Education to conduct annual evaluations of the program's effectiveness, gathering feedback from participants and assessing its impact on school climate and youth mental health. A report on the program's effectiveness is required to be submitted to the Governor and the Legislature three years after the bill's enactment. To support the implementation of this initiative, the bill appropriates $1 million from the General Fund to the Department of Education.