Educational Resources

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Resources:

ELEA Diversity and Justice Statement (2023):  In alignment with the ELCA social policy resolution, we are grounded in the scriptural truth that we are all created good and in the image of God; As a Christian community, specifically engaged in education and moral awareness, we task ourselves to provide safe environments that oppose racism, ableism, sexism, and homophobia while actively teaching appreciation for diverse peoples in an inequitable world.

Furthermore, ELEA’s administrators, teachers, and staff are committed to practice anti-bias education; show love; teach tolerance; model acceptance on a daily basis; set the goal for each child to possess positive self-identity and family pride; express comfort and joy with human diversity; and, embody the will and the skills to act against injustice and prejudice.

RESOURCES: 

  • Lutheran Identity: DEIJ.  A free guide for parents, staff, and school leaders exploring our faith-centered commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. Print and Bulk orders are available by contacting [email protected]

  • Right To Be created Bystander Intervention Training to teach people how to stop harassment with simple and safe tactics we call the 5Ds. Some of their FREE webinars include Active Shooter Training, Conflict De-escalation Training, and more!

  • Anti-Racism Training for Clergy & Leaders - Convergence CoLab: Learn from denominational experts and the team at Convergence about the need for an anti-racist approach to leadership in your congregational and community session. 

  • Better Kid Care: Online and on-demand anti-racism, LGBTQ, and disability resources.

  • ELEA Queer Inclusive Brochure: 6 quick ways to create a more welcoming space for LGBTQIA+ families and caregivers.

  • DEI Definition Infographic: a resource to understand and guide our work.

  • Race Diversity & Justice Resources

  • LGBTQIA+ Diversity and Justice Resources

  • Disability Diversity and Justice Resources

Mental Health Resources

ELCA Statement on Mental Health Awareness (5/7/2021): Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2 NRSV).
 
Since the global pandemic was declared in March 2020, many of us have endured extended emotional and psychological anguish. That experience may be dramatically worsened by the ugly realities of racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia or poverty. Our anguish has taken the form of sadness in isolation, anxiety in uncertainty, grief over loss, stress over economic challenges and worry over events beyond our control — including the tremendous impact of the crisis on our children. This pandemic threatens our mental health just as much as our physical health. For millions of us adults living in the United States, receiving the vaccine and the hope it brings has alleviated our unease, sorrow and grief. 
This past year has provided some of us with a deeper understanding of and empathy for the ongoing mental health challenges endured by our neighbors, friends and family. During Mental Health Awareness Month, especially, our church intentionally recognizes the anguish our siblings in Christ experience daily — pandemic or no — and the fear many of them feel about sharing their stories.
 
As a church we also acknowledge the true depths of these invisible illnesses. Our children, neighbors and friends grappling with mental health issues need to know that God does not love them any less. They need to hear that they, too, are embraced by God's unfathomable love.
Our church cautions against judgmental words and actions that might suggest to someone that their faith is not strong enough or that their outlook on life would improve if they would change certain behaviors. Praying, socializing and exercising are great activities that can help someone get out of a slump or move past a painful episode. But this is not always the solution for moderate or severe depression, bipolar depression, anxiety or even grief. Telling someone they aren't doing enough to be happy creates a sense of stigma that they are not living "correctly." We need to listen so that our words of care and compassion guide others to the help they need. We need to support people in their struggles, walking side by side in partnership with them through the good days and the bad.
Dear church, God loves us all. No matter how we are grappling, we are not alone; God is with us. Throughout May and beyond, we must seek ways to erase the stigma surrounding mental illness and continually love everyone compassionately as a child of God. We must embrace the benefits of therapy and encourage the use of medication when necessary in supporting and sustaining mental health and wellness. We must also work to ensure access to affordable mental health care for all people, especially those living in poverty or in historically marginalized communities.   
Our faith teaches that caring for health is a shared endeavor. Being the body of Christ means carrying one another's burdens; it also means placing our burdens in God's hands and admitting to a caring person close to us that we need help. This is true no matter how great or small our anguish may be.
 
In Christ,
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
 

Mental Health Resources:

  • Mental Health in our schools and centers - curated resources for caring for the mental health of our students, staff, and congregations.
  • "The Body of Christ and Mental Illness" (2012)
    Suicide Prevention
  • Lutheran Suicide Prevention Ministry  

  • National Center of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) supports schools, districts, and states to build systems capacity for implementing a multi-tiered approach to social, emotional, mental health, and behavior support.  The broad purpose of PBIS is to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of schools and other agencies to create positive, safe learning environments that support and respond to student needs. PBIS improves social, emotional, and academic outcomes for all students, including students with disabilities and students from underrepresented groups.  The site provides considerations for schools resuming after a crisis.

  • National Center on Safe and Supportive Learning Environments (NCSSLE) provides training and technical assistance to schools, school districts, and educational agencies to support efforts aimed at creating and nurturing safe and supportive learning environments.  The national center addresses a wide variety of topics that impact school climate, ranging from bullying and violence prevention to tools for measuring and identifying needs for school climate.

  • Federal Partners in Student Health Resource Hub serves as a portal where K-12 schools, school districts, SEAs, and other stakeholders can access high quality federal and federally supported information, resources, and research that support student health.  The goal of this hub is to provide information that supports the physical and mental health of all students as well as healthy, physical school environments.  Content for the site is comprised of resources by the Federal Partners in School Health working group, which is an alliance of federal agencies that support healthy school environments

Bullying Prevention Resources

  • CDC.gov Violence Prevention - Youth Violence

  • How and Why Bullying Leads to Addiction In Kids

  • Teaching Tolerance: Programs to help students learn respect for differences and bolster teacher practice

  • The Trevor Project: A non-profit organization promoting acceptance and preventing suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth. Offering resources and support to help those in need. And if you or someone you know needs help, call their national lifeline at 866-488-7386.

  • PACER Center's Kids Against Bullying: A website for kids in grades 2-6 offers interactive polls, games, contests, and videos to help bullies and those who are bullied.

  • Stop Bullying Now!: This website is designed for kids and offers various games and webisodes teaching bullying prevention. It provides valuable information about cyberbullying and includes a section for adults who want to use Stop Bullying Now resources to help children. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sponsors the website.

  • Coalition for Children: The Coalition for Children collaborates with organizations and individuals to provide effective prevention programming that enhances the well-being of children, families, and society in a culturally diverse manner.

  • GLSEN: National organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. The website includes a section for students and anti-bullying resources.

  • Operation Respect: An organization dedicated to creating a safe and respectful environment for children and young people to learn and develop academically, socially, and emotionally. Working towards eliminating bullying, ridicule, and violence and promoting a compassionate atmosphere. Their initiatives include The Don't Laugh at Me Project.

  • TeachersFirst Bullying and Cyberbullying Prevention Resources: A site directed at educators with links to resources about bullying – some links may duplicate what's here, but this site's focus is on teachers and lessons they can use or develop.

Safe and Healthy Relationships Guides

  • Youth Guide: this four-session guide is designed for upper elementary, middle, and high school youth, to be used in schools, confirmation classes, and youth groups.

  • Leader’s Guide:  detailed instructions for youth leaders, pastors or other church leaders to facilitate these four sessions. Cherish All Children is also available to support you in leading these sessions.

Educational Software and Resources

  • CDC.gov Violence Prevention - Youth Violence

  • How and Why Bullying Leads to Addiction In Kids

  • Teaching Tolerance: Programs to help students learn respect for differences and bolster teacher practice

  • The Trevor Project: A non-profit organization promoting acceptance and preventing suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth. Offering resources and support to help those in need. And if you or someone you know needs help, call their national lifeline at 866-488-7386.

  • PACER Center's Kids Against Bullying: A website for kids in grades 2-6 offers interactive polls, games, contests, and videos to help bullies and those who are bullied.

  • Stop Bullying Now!: This website is designed for kids and offers various games and webisodes teaching bullying prevention. It provides valuable information about cyberbullying and includes a section for adults who want to use Stop Bullying Now resources to help children. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sponsors the website.

  • Coalition for Children: The Coalition for Children collaborates with organizations and individuals to provide effective prevention programming that enhances the well-being of children, families, and society in a culturally diverse manner.

  • GLSEN: National organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. The website includes a section for students and anti-bullying resources.

  • Operation Respect: An organization dedicated to creating a safe and respectful environment for children and young people to learn and develop academically, socially, and emotionally. Working towards eliminating bullying, ridicule, and violence and promoting a compassionate atmosphere. Their initiatives include The Don't Laugh at Me Project.

  • TeachersFirst Bullying and Cyberbullying Prevention Resources: A site directed at educators with links to resources about bullying – some links may duplicate what's here, but this site's focus is on teachers and lessons they can use or develop.

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School Safety and Emergency Preparedness

RESOURCES: 

  • Ready Kids: Disasters happen everywhere, and every member of the family can prepare. Preparedness for the future starts today. Whether you’re a kid or teen yourself, a parent or loved one, or work with youth, Ready Kids has tools and information to help before, during and after disasters.

  • Co-Located School Safety and Emergency Preparedness:  View the overview PDF and video. A 6-module training program is available FREE to members.  
    • Faculty and Staff Crisis Response - This course can be given directly to your faculty and staff. It discusses elements like calling 911, handling a fire, and much more.
    • Best Practices for Co-located Schools - Safety for staff and students is a top priority for schools and centers, and when a school is co-located with a church, there is an elevation of safety considerations.
    • Safety Committees and Advanced Planning - This toolkit is full of resources for learning more about establishing a safety committee or maximizing your existing committees.
    • Crisis Communication Planning - This module is designed to help you build a crisis communication plan for your school or organization. We’ll explain why and how communication can make or break your success in responding to an emergency to prevent traumatic circumstances.
    • Functional Exercise Drills - In this module, you will learn how to facilitate a functional emergency exercise at your school. We will discuss how to prepare, how to lead discussions with your faculty and staff, and what is most important to learn from the exercise.
    • Introduction to an EOP - An EOP aims to plan and develop a course of action for emergency response. The EOP should provide school staff with the who, what, when, where, and why for each possible threat or hazard and then move into practicing the plans in place.

Native & Dual Language Resources

Resources for Teachers and Students / Recursos para Profesores y Estudiantes

If you would like to suggest resources for this page please email [email protected] / Si desea sugerir recursos para esta página, envíe un correo electrónico [email protected].

American Bible Society Large selection of Bibles and stories for children in Spanish.

Augsburg Fortress The basics: Catechism, Hymnals, Certificates for major milestones etc.

Centering Corporation Provides extensive, excellent resources for children and families grieving the loss of a loved one, including pets and divorce.

Cokesbury, the publishing house for the Methodist church offers resources for children’s ministry in Spanish

Dan Erlander Classics @ Augsburg Fortress

HISTORIAS BÍBLICAS DE JESÚS PARA NIÑOS: The Jesus Storybook Bible. A favorite!

Three versions- Spanish/English combined, Spanish or English only. Perfect for households where children primarily speak English and adults’ primary language is Spanish. Not just for children, but for the entire household to learn the overarching narrative of our faith. Also available on Amazon.

https://www.sallylloyd-jones.com/books/jesus-storybook-bible/historias-biblicas-de-jesus/

Libros en Espanol: Godly Play helps children explore their faith through story, language, wonder and play.

Safe Guarding God’s Children in Spanish and English.

Safe Guarding God’s Children is a comprehensive training specifically to prevent sexual abuse of children and the vulnerable among us in our congregations. Training is best offered as one element of creating safe space and safe relationships for all children/youth and adults in our schools and centers.

https://www.cpg.org/active-clergy/insurance/preventing-sexual-misconduct/purchasing/

Native Reads - works written by Native authors to promote sound education about Indigenous communities and tribal nations

Linda Staats, www.homegrownfaith.net, is credited for the curation of many resources on this page.