David Ralston Institute partners to launch statewide behavioral health training for Georgia schools
The University of Georgia's David Ralston Institute for Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), and the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) have partnered to bring behavioral health training to communities across Georgia.
The training is led by Will Schofield, superintendent at Hall County Schools, and Joy Schofield, lead DSG Facilitator/Trainer for Hall County Schools. Dr. Garry McGiboney also assisted in coordinting training sites and external partners. Each serves as affiliates of the David Ralston Institute.
The training initiative supports the implementation of House Bill 268, which was passed by the Georgia General Assembly in 2025. The law requires elementary and middle schools with a one- or two-star School Climate Star Rating to ensure that at least 95% of school personnel complete two hours of DBHDD-approved student behavioral health awareness training annually.
To ensure schools are meeting the requirements of House Bill 268, the David Ralston Institute, DBHDD, and GaDOE are collaborating to deliver this statewide training initiative. The training series kicked off in Athens on July 7 and will continue all across the state until its final stop in Griffin on July 22.
As part of this initiative, each participating school sends up to three staff members to attend training sessions hosted by the David Ralston Institute. These trained staff then return to their schools to deliver behavioral health awareness training to their colleagues. This approach expands the program's reach by equipping school personnel across Georgia with the knowledge and skills to recognize behavioral health concerns and connect students with appropriate supports.
The David Ralston Institute also extends its appreciation to the Georgia Regional Educational Service Agencies (RESA) for hosting the trainings and supporting this statewide effort.
To learn more about the training and view the full schedule of locations, visit the FACS website.
