Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs (ATOD) Education
(That Fulfills Vermont Act 51 Requirements)

Information for Superintendents

Act 51 requires that Supervisory Unions provide ATOD Education to their staff to ensure that they are prepared to address the ATOD-related issues that impact learning in school settings. (For further information, see Questions and Answers About Act 51.)

The Center for Health and Learning (CHL) makes the following recommendations and suggestions for fulfilling the mandate to offer ATOD Education, which fulfills Act 51 requirements:

• Develop a plan to offer training on an annual basis.
• Communicate to staff the importance of this training and the expectation that they must obtain training sometime within the seven-year licensure renewal period. (You may request sample language for this communication at: info@healthandlearning.org.)
• Plan ahead to budget costs for an annual local training. Budget for: space, food, materials, trainer fees (or substitutes for local trainers), guest speakers, etc. Options for covering costs include:
  • Federal Consolidated Programs (SDFSC or Innovative)
  • Local Monies
  • Charging a professional development fee to teachers
• Training models may include:
  • A two-day event during the school year or in the summer with the required 12-15 hours of contact time
  • Four weekly sessions each fall or spring from 3:30-6:30 pm. This venue is desirable because it provides implementation time between sessions.
  • Time scheduled on local in-service days
• Provide information to staff about regional trainings offered through the Center for Health and Learning under a grant from the Vermont Department of Education. Teachers and staff use professional development funds ($150) to attend this training. An online course option is currently under development.
• Have a local member of your staff who meets ATOD Education/Act 51 Local Trainer competencies attend the Training of Trainers workshop. This workshop will be offered by the Center for Health and Learning in Spring of 2008 and will prepare your staff member to offer the ATOD training within your Supervisory Union. To view Trainer Continuum and Trainer Competencies, find their links ont the lefthand navigation bar.
• Establish a filing system in Central Office related to ATOD training events. Include the date and location of the trainings, the name of the trainers and participant lists. CHL will provide annual Superintendent Reports listing those who have successfully completed the ATOD Education/Act 51 training.
• Advocate for ATOD Education to become part of licensure requirements.