Enhancing youth mental health and well-being through advanced training and expansion of the workforce in schools.

SB 5369 addresses Washington's critical shortage of school social workers, which currently stands at one worker for every 3,798 students - far below the recommended national standard of one per 250 students. The bill requires educational service districts to partner with universities, mental health agencies, and school districts to expand the workforce through in-school training placements for social work students and conditional certification pathways. It revises statutes to clarify school social workers' roles in providing mental health counseling, crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, and support for students with individualized education plans. The law directly affects K-12 schools and students, particularly those facing emotional distress, behavioral challenges, or high absenteeism rates, by increasing access to mental health support within educational settings.