What does it mean to be a Trusted Adult?

What is a trusted adult?

A trusted adult is a reliable, trustworthy, and dependable person in a young person's life — someone who makes students feel safe, heard, and supported when they need it most.

Where can a trusted adult be found?

Trusted adults can be found in a child's home, school, or community.

What are the responsibilities of a trusted adult?

A trusted adult's core responsibilities are to listen non-judgmentally, take a student's concerns seriously, and help connect them to the appropriate mental health or counseling resources available in their school or community. Trusted adults do not need to have all the answers — they simply need to be present, approachable, and ready to act.