The Educator Collective + JED High School

As a high school leader in Texas, you know that fostering students’ emotional well-being is crucial to their ability to thrive in school and beyond. The Jed Foundation (JED) in partnership with The Educator Collective is here to help you transform your current mental health offerings into a robust, comprehensive system of support. Together, we can create a culture of care for all students.

Our Challenge:

  • Suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 10 to 34.
  • In 2023, 40% of high school students reported persistent sadness and hopelessness.
  • 17% of Texas youth report mental, emotional, behavioral, or developmental challenges.
  • Texas ranks last in the U.S. for access to mental health services.
  • It takes 8 to 10 years on average for youth to access care after symptoms appear. 

The need is urgent — and your leadership can make the difference.

The Opportunity for High Schools

Group of students working on an algebra project in classroom setting, engaging in collaborative learning while sitting around table and sharing ideas on assignment

JED and TEC have partnered to offer the JED High School program — a three-year, fully supported partnership designed to help your school build a comprehensive system of mental health and suicide prevention. 

  • Full scholarships available for 10 high schools
  • Partial scholarships (50%) for five high schools 
  • Cohort-based learning with peer collaboration
  • Customized strategic support from JED and The Educator Collective experts

Selection Timeline: 

  • September 2, 2025: Applications open
  • October 15, 2025: Applications close
  • October 22, 2025: Selected high schools notified
  • February 1, 2026: Program start date

Please join us for virtual information sessions or contact us to learn more: 

What Participating High Schools Receive

JED’s Texas-based expert team assesses your school’s needs to collaboratively develop a customized strategic plan. Then, leveraging your existing strengths, our experts help you implement evidence-based, data-driven practices to create a truly connected school community and best- in-class school mental health systems. As a leader in protecting student mental health and preventing suicide, our mission is to fully support you in making meaningful, sustainable, and measurable improvements in the well-being of your school community.

Data-Informed, Actionable Plans Customized to Your Community

JED’s nationally recognized assessments allow for a comprehensive analysis of your school’s climate, needs, policies, programs, and practices surrounding student mental health. With that deep understanding, we work together to create a strategic plan for your school that effectively enhances what is already working and innovate to address unmet needs and create a seamless, holistic approach to mental health.

Expert Insight and Technical Assistance

Our School Mental Health Specialists are professionals in education and mental health, and they understand the challenges that Texas schools face. Through expert insight, technical assistance, and a regular cadence of check-ins and thought partnership, your school receives customized support to develop your plan and build your team’s capacity to achieve your goals.

Recommended Practices to Enhance Your Policies, Programs, and Resources

JED is at the forefront of suicide prevention and comprehensive school mental health. We help you make informed decisions and enhance policies, programs, and resources with insight into clinically informed and peer-reviewed recommended practices.

Membership In a Leading-Edge Learning Community

JED maintains an extensive library of current research on promoting student well-being and preventing suicide, as well as sample policies, programs, and educational campaigns. You’ll receive free access to webinars; student, staff, and teacher training; newsletters; conversations with subject-matter experts; and curated resources to meet today’s school mental health needs. When you join JED High School, you become part of a community of schools and districts nationwide where you can connect with and learn from peers who are equally dedicated to protecting student mental health. As a member of a cohort of Texas schools, you’ll additionally have the opportunity to learn from and connect with your peers as you progress through the program together, as well as school and district leaders from across the nation.

Measurable Outcomes and Lasting Impact

JED assists you in administering a second round of assessments and provides a comprehensive post-assessment report and sustainability plan, which documents and demonstrates the program’s success and outlines future steps to maintain and build upon.

Your Commitment

High schools join the initiative as a cohort and work on the same program timeline with intentional opportunities to collaborate. A commitment to attendance and engagement ensures maximum impact and enhances the learning experience for all cohort members. Participating high schools are expected to:  

  • Attend regular cohort learning and connection sessions 
  • Attend individual school co-lead technical assistance and consultation calls at least monthly
  • Attend Steering Committee meetings virtually for individual schools 

For more information, contact: 

The Jed Foundation
Chrysten Foley
Head of Recruiting, PK-12 programs
chrysten@jedfoundation.org

The Educator Collective
Dr. Amy Lippa, Partnerships and Evaluation
amy.lippa@educatorcollective.org

The Educator Collective logoThe Educator Collective is a non-profit that supports the retention and sustainability of teachers and school leaders across North Texas. We believe thriving schools start with supported educators. We partner with North Texas school districts, school teams and education nonprofit organizations to provide leadership development, wellness practices and collaborative problem-solving—so the people at the heart of our schools can grow, stay and lead lasting change across their campuses and school communities.