Casey DeSantis announces groundbreaking program for parents, grandparents to aid students
LYNN HAVEN, Fla. – Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis unveiled a groundbreaking program offering Florida parents and grandparents the chance to serve as in-school resiliency coaches, aiding students in overcoming obstacles.
This new program, introduced this week by the first lady, is a part of the Florida Resiliency initiative.
Parents and grandparents who undertake this role will receive a $150 stipend upon finishing a one-hour training session and completing a volunteering practicum within schools.
Training for resiliency coaches will commence this summer for parents and grandparents, with practicum hours slated to begin in fall 2024.
“Resiliency is important for students to successfully navigate and overcome life’s obstacles,” DeSantis said. “Florida parents, grandparents, teachers, and mentors will now have opportunities to coach and access to high-quality resources to lead important discussions with students about resiliency.”
Resiliency Florida, a pioneering nationwide endeavor, introduced by DeSantis in February 2021, aims to redefine mental health education by emphasizing the cultivation of resilience skills.
These encompass attributes such as grit, perseverance, gratitude, personal accountability, decision-making, mentorship, self-awareness, problem-solving, empathy, citizenship, and integrity.
“The First Lady’s Resiliency Florida initiative is an innovative way to approach mental health and student support,” Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz Jr. said “We are proud to be a part of this historic endeavor and look forward to finding more ways to encourage Florida students to be resilient.”
In March 2023, the State Board of Education endorsed the first lady’s proposals for this groundbreaking approach to resiliency education, prioritizing the impartation of crucial skills from early grades onwards.
These standards integrate concepts of civic responsibility, citizenship, and mentorship, encouraging students not only to comprehend these ideals, but to actively participate in activities preparing them to become conscientious, responsible citizens.
Alongside the new resources, the department has devised additional avenues for adults, parents, school counselors, and educators to aid students in fostering resilience.
