Youth Mental Health Awareness Training (YMHAT)

Consistent with section 1012.584, Florida Statutes (F.S.), the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) has identified an evidence-based, nationally recognized youth mental health awareness and assistance training program to help school personnel identify and understand the signs of mental health concerns and substance use disorders, and provide such personnel with the next steps to find help for a person who is developing or experiencing mental health concerns or a substance use disorder. The evidence-based, nationally recognized youth mental health awareness and assistance training program identified by the FDOE is Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA).

Effective November 22, 2022, Rule 6A-1.094120, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), requires annual certification that at least 80 percent of school personnel in a school district, including school personnel at charter schools, have completed the approved youth mental health awareness training. This certification must be submitted to the Department no later than July 1 of each year. The identified list of job codes in order to identify the positions that must receive YMHAT as required by section 1012.584, F.S., can be found here: Continuing Education and Inservice Training for Youth Mental Health Awareness and Assistance - Included Job Codes (PDF).

Instructions

To complete the certification process, please download and complete the Annual Certification of Youth Mental Health Awareness Training, Form No. YMHAT-1 (PDF), and return the form to YMHATraining@fldoe.org. Please note that this form requires the signature of the school district superintendent or their designee. If signed by a designee, documentation granting the authority to sign on behalf of the superintendent must also be submitted.

For more information, please contact YMHATraining@fldoe.org.