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Bill

A 2772

Requires Division of Child Protection and Permanency to develop suicide screening and crisis response training for caseworkers.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Danielsen and 2 co-sponsors

Requires DCP&P to develop and implement standardized suicide screening and crisis response training for caseworkers to better identify risk and coordinate care for at-risk youth.

Reported and Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee
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Bill Summary · A 2772

Bill overview

  • Jurisdiction: New Jersey
  • Bill number and session: A 2772, Session 222
  • Title: Requires Division of Child Protection and Permanency to develop suicide screening and crisis response training for caseworkers
  • Purpose: Mandates the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P) to create and implement a standardized suicide screening and crisis response training for its caseworkers, integrating risk assessment, de-escalation, and coordination with mental health resources.

Main purpose and intent

  • To improve suicide risk identification and crisis response for children and adolescents encountered by DCP&P caseworkers.
  • To ensure caseworkers are trained to recognize warning signs, risk and protective factors, and to respond effectively to at-risk youth.
  • To promote coordinated care with mental health professionals, schools, foster/resource families, and community supports.

Key provisions and changes

  • Training course and curriculum development
    • DCP&P must develop and adopt a training curriculum focused on: 1) Recognizing warning signs, risk factors, and protective factors for suicide in children and adolescents, using validated tools (example given: Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale). 2) Establishing protocols for responding when a child is identified as at risk, including immediate de-escalation techniques. 3) Coordinating care with mental health professionals, schools, resource parents, and community supports.
  • Training integration and timing
    • The training must be part of each caseworker’s initial training.
    • Biennial in-service training must include this suicide screening/crisis response training, as appropriate.
    • For current caseworkers hired before the bill’s effective date, they must complete the training within 24 months of the bill’s effective date.
  • Review and update
    • The Division must periodically review and update the training course and curriculum to maintain effectiveness and relevance.
  • Implementation and authority
    • The Commissioner of Children and Families may adopt rules and regulations as needed to effectuate the act, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.
  • Effective date
    • The act takes effect 180 days after enactment, with the possibility for anticipatory administrative action to begin implementing requirements earlier.

Who is affected

  • Primary: Department of Children and Families (DCPF), Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P) staff and caseworkers.
  • Indirectly affected: Children and adolescents served by DCP&P, their families, schools, mental health professionals, foster/resource parents, and other community supports involved in child welfare cases.

Timeline and implementation details

  • Effective date: 180 days after enactment.
  • Training requirements timeline:
    • New caseworkers: Training to be included in initial training.
    • Existing caseworkers (hired before the effective date): Must complete the new training within 24 months after the act’s effective date.
    • Biennial in-service: Training to be provided every two years.
  • Ongoing updates: DCP&P to periodically review and update the curriculum.

Potential impact

  • Enhanced early identification of suicide risk among children in child welfare cases.
  • Improved crisis response capabilities and de-escalation in high-risk situations.
  • Greater coordination between child welfare, mental health services, schools, and families to support at-risk youth.
  • Establishment of standardized practices across the division, potentially improving consistency and outcomes.

Notes

  • The bill references specific tools (e.g., Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale) as examples for training content.
  • It allows for regulatory action to implement the provisions and includes a mechanism for regular review and updates to the training.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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