During the 2014 legislative session, House Bill 1490 was truly agreed to and finally passed and signed into law by the Governor on July 14. The next step is to assemble working groups to establish new educational standards.

House Bill 1490 requires that work groups, consisting of 32 members total, be formed in an effort to focus on and improve Missouri Learning Standards (MLS), as well as academic performance standards in the areas of English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and History and Government.

Two work groups will be established for each educational subject. One focuses on K - 5, and the other grades 6 - 12. In addition, each work group will include parents and education professionals that specialize in that field of education. This allows parents to have an active role in their children’s education, while also allowing educators the opportunity to help create standards which they feel children should meet. Appointed members may serve more than one work group. However, in accordance with House Bill 1490, education professionals must have at least 10 years experience in the workgroup’s subject area, and be a Missouri resident for a minimum of three years.

Members of the work groups will be appointed by the President Pro Tem and Speaker of the House, the Governor and Lt. Governor, the Commissioner of Higher Education, and the State Board of Education.

Schools statewide have been implementing MLS standards, including Common Core, for the subjects of English and Mathematics for the past three years. However, these new educational benchmarks for all subjects will be incorporated fully in the 2016-17 school year.

If you are interested in applying for the Common Core Work Groups, and aiding in making a difference in the educational future of our Missouri children, visit the following link in order to fill out and submit the application form: http://www.senate.mo.gov/14info/members/d33/CommonCore.htm

In other news, many of my constituents from the 33rd Senatorial District have raised questions about the Department of Mental Health’s Access Crisis Hotline Services and its service area.

The Missouri Department of Mental Health website provides a wealth of knowledge for those that feel they may need services provided or even information about a crisis you may be experiencing. Mental health professionals are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They will discuss your crisis with you, as well as aid you in deciding the best course of action to take. This includes: supportive and understanding phone conversations, face-to-face interventions, next-day appointments with a health professional or other alternative services that best suits the individual.

Access Crisis Intervention Hotlines are available statewide. Citizens of the 33rd Senatorial District who are experiencing a crisis should contact MOCARS ACI hotline at 1-800-356-5395. For a list of facilities and hotlines in your county, click and visit http://dmh.mo.gov/mentalillness/progs/acinumbers.htm.

In addition to contact information, the Missouri Department of Mental Health website provides a vast amount of information and knowledge about crises that you or a loved one may be experiencing. This ranges from fact sheets about depression, drug and alcohol abuse, anxiety, gambling addictions, and sexual abuse, to facilities, behavioral health tools, programs and services that provide you with every opportunity to receive the assistance you may need.

For more information about concerns for you, family members or friend’s mental health, please click and visit the Missouri Department of Mental Health’s webpage. http://dmh.mo.gov/mentalillness/progs/acimap.htm.

For emergencies or immediate assistance, dial 911 or visit your local emergency room.

It is always a priority of mine to provide the information that my constituents find important. I want everyone to have this information should they ever need it.