Mindful Foundations pilot program for students in prekindergarten through grade 1 establishment and appropriation

This bill creates a pilot program to test a trauma-informed approach for managing behavior and guiding students in prekindergarten through first grade. It allocates $1.2 million to fund the Mindful Foundations curriculum, which uses a specific five-step method to help educators support young children. Selected school districts will receive money to hire specialists, train staff and families, and evaluate how the program affects student outcomes and teacher retention. By the end of the pilot year, the program must submit a detailed report to lawmakers to determine if the approach should be expanded statewide.