The South Dakota Board of Education Standards has approved the following guidelines regarding this training:

• Must be evidence-based;
• Include information on youth suicide risk indicators; and
• Include appropriate educator responses and referral sources

A certificate of completion for the Suicide Awareness and Prevention Training must be submitted when an initial or renewal application is completed.

Approved Online Training

• Save the certificate of completion as a PDF
• Upload the certificate of completion as a PDF when you apply for your initial or renewal certificate

Approved In-Person Training

• You should receive a certificate of completion following the training. Make sure the certificate is signed by the trainer and includes the name of the training, date, and your name
• Scan and save the document as a PDF
• Upload the certificate of completion as a PDF when you apply for your initial or renewal

District Approved Training

• You should receive a certificate of completion following the training which must be signed by the trainer and the district. The certificate must also include your name, the number of clock hours, the course title, date, and location.
• Scan and save the document as a PDF
• Upload the certificate of completion as a PDF when you apply for your initial or renewal certificate

Sample Certificate of Completion:

• Sample Certificate of Completion (Word)
• Sample Certificate of Completion (PDF)

The online training options provided by the following organizations have been approved by the South Dakota Board of Education Standards as meeting the guidelines for online training.

The Jason Foundation
The Jason Foundation is an educational organization dedicated to the awareness and prevention of youth suicide. Online training resources include a series of modules which introduce the scope and magnitude of the problem of youth suicide, the signs of concern, risk factors, how to recognize young people who may be struggling, how to approach the student and how to help an at-risk youth find resources for assistance.

Guidance for accessing the training:
1. Click the "Training" link on this page
2. Log in or Register.
3. Select "2-Hour Courses" under "Catalog".
4. Click on "Module 5 Youth Suicide: A Silent Epidemic".
5. Select "Register to Begin".

Type	Name of Training	Cost	Certificate of Completion
Online	Module 5 Youth Suicide: A Silent Epidemic	Free	Yes

The Helpline Center
The Helpline Center is recognized for suicide prevention work in South Dakota.

Type	Name of Training	Cost	Certificate of Completion
Online	Making Educators Partners in Youth Suicide Prevention: Act on FACTS (60 min)	Free	Yes

The in-person training options provided by the following organizations have been approved by the South Dakota Board of Education Standards as meeting the guidelines for training.

Type	Training	Cost	Completion Certificate	Training Request Link
In-Person or Virtual	QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) QPR has three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide: Question, Persuade, and Refer. People trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. QPR can be learned in as little as one hour.	Free	Yes	SD Suicide Prevention Request Training page
In-person	ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) ASIST is a two-day, interactive workshop in suicide first aid. ASIST teaches participants to recognize when someone may have thoughts of suicide and work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety. Anyone 16 or older can learn and use the ASIST model.	Free	Yes	SD Suicide Prevention Request Training page
In-Person, Virtual, or Hybrid	Youth Mental Health First Aid is an eight-hour public education program which introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teaches individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. Learn more.	Free	Yes	SD Suicide Prevention Request Training page
In-Person or Virtual	More Than Sad Suicide Prevention for Teachers and Other School Personnel The More Than Sad family of programs has taught over a million students, parents, and educators how to be smart about mental health. Educators and other school personnel will learn how to recognize mental health conditions, the warning signs of suicide, and the steps they can take get help for at-risk students.	Free	Yes	Contact Samantha Christopherson at schristopherson@afsp.org, 701-371-1194
In-Person or Virtual	Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention Talk Saves Lives is AFSP s standardized, 60-minute education program that provides participants with a clear understanding of this leading cause of death, including the most up-to-date research on suicide prevention, and what they can do in their communities to save lives. Participants will learn common risk factors and warning signs associated with suicide and how to keep themselves and others safe. The standard Talk Saves Lives presentation is also available in Spanish.	Free	Yes	Contact Samantha Christopherson at schristopherson@afsp.org, 701-371-1194
In-Person or Virtual	Child & Adult Advocacy Studies (CAASt) Training Series The Child & Adult Advocacy Studies (CAASt) Training Series provides professionals with tools to successfully advocate for children and adults in need, while learning how to work in interprofessional teams to provide wraparound services and overcome problems associated with rurality, funding, and lack of services. The CAASt programming will create advocates who can use critical thinking skills to help align services and recovery to people in need. Training attendees will better understand suicide prevention strategies for students in South Dakota, will learn the process and importance of mandatory reporting, and will gain knowledge in trauma-informed, multidisciplinary approaches. It is essential for people working within the education system to identify trauma and adversity in students, respond in a manner that allows the student to begin the healing process while continuing to function within a classroom or school setting, and promote access to services through utilization of a multidisciplinary team.	Free	Yes	Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment CAASt Training page

South Dakota Prevention Network
The South Dakota Prevention Network includes Prevention Resource Centers (PRC) and other organizations and coalitions in South Dakota that provide suicide prevention training.

• Department of Social Services Division of Behavioral Health
• Suicide Prevention Resources Including Prevention Resource Centers
• Call South Dakota Prevention Network Program at (605) 773-3123

School Districts may use Suicide Awareness and Prevention trainings that have not been approved by the South Dakota Board of Education Standards. If a district utilizes a provider not approved by the board, the district must ensure the guidelines are met.

School District Requirements:

• Review and verify the training meets the guidelines adopted by the South Dakota Board of Education Standards
• Ensure the training is a minimum of one clock hour
• Provide participants with a certificate of completion which is signed by the trainer and the district. The certificate must include the following:
  • Name of training
  • Name of participant
  • Number of clock hours
  • Date of training
  • Location of training
  • Instructor signature
  • Approving district representative signature

Sample Certificate:

• Sample Certificate (Word)
• Sample Certificate (PDF)

Providers of the Suicide Awareness and Prevention Training must be approved by the South Dakota Board of Education Standards.

• Approval Process for Online and In-Person Group Trainings
  • Complete the Youth Suicide Awareness and Prevention Training: Application for Program Approval
    Submit any additional information to Andrea Effling, including:
    Viewing of the training, a syllabus, or documentation of the training to determine the training meets the guidelines
  • Applications are reviewed annually after December 1
    SD DOE staff will review the training using an evaluation and determine if it meets the guidelines
    If the training meets the guidelines, SD DOE staff will present to the South Dakota Board of Education Standards in a following spring meeting for approval
    If the training does not meet the guidelines, SD DOE staff will provide feedback to the provider outlining why the training does not meet the requirements
  • Programs approved by the Board of Education Standards will be made available by July 1 of the year they are approved and posted on the Youth Suicide Awareness and Prevention Training webpage.