Last Updated on July 27, 2017 by cassnetwork
The Children’s Coalition of Indiana recognized State Sen. Randy Head (R-Logansport) with the 2017 Legislative Champion for Children Award Wednesday, July 26.
The coalition’s board selected Head based on the suicide prevention legislation he worked on during the 2017 legislative session, as well as other legislation he worked on that benefits children.
House Enrolled Act 1430, which he sponsored, requires teachers and other employees of public, nonpublic and charter schools who work with students in grades five through 12 to complete a suicide prevention training program every three years.
Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for Hoosiers age 15-34 and the third-leading cause of death for Hoosiers age 10-14, according to the most recent data from 2011 to 2015.
“Suicide at any age is heartbreaking, but I am especially concerned about Indiana’s suicide rate among our young people,” Head said. “Too many of our young Hoosiers are taking their lives. HEA 1430 gives teachers the resources they need to recognize suicidal actions and behaviors and help put an end to these preventable deaths. I am grateful to the Coalition for this honor, and I hope we can continue to work together to improve the lives of children in our state.”
Head also worked to help Hoosier children by authoring or sponsoring legislation to establish professional licensing requirements, expunge convictions of human trafficking victims, create a bachelor’s degree social worker license, and make it easier for counselors and mental health workers to move to Indiana from out of state.
SOURCE: News release from the Office of Senator Randy Head (R-Logansport)