During this forum, participants will: Deepen their understanding of the legislative requirements outlined in CT Public Act 23-167; Clarify the distinct roles and responsibilities of school climate specialists, coordinators, and school climate committees; Learn what must be included in a comprehensive School Climate Improvement Plan; Gain access to the ACES School Climate Improvement Plan template and receive guidance on how to adapt it for their district or school needs; Explore examples of how restorative practices and tiered supports can be integrated into climate plans to foster stronger relationships and improve school culture; Collaborate with peers to brainstorm the professional learning and capacity-building opportunities necessary to meet the expectations of school climate committees and successfully turnkey this work to their teams.

The forum will also provide opportunities for leaders to: Engage in discussion and Q&A with ACES facilitators; Begin mapping out timelines and next steps to ensure compliance with policy requirements and effective implementation; Identify data collection needs and tools to assess school climate and inform continuous improvement.