Charlotte County Public Schools

In Florida, quality mental and emotional health education has been identified as a high priority. Florida Statute 1003.42 requires that Florida school districts provide comprehensive instruction that includes the following key areas:

Substance Use & Abuse
All Students in grades K-12 receive annual lessons that cover the dangers of drugs, alcohol, and nicotine, including how to prevent use, resist peer pressure, and access reliable help

Human Trafficking Prevention
All students in grades K–12 are taught age-appropriate information on human trafficking—what it is, how to recognize it, and how to stay safe 

Life Skills & Resiliency Education
Grades 6–12 receive at least five hours yearly of structured instruction in life skills that build confidence, support mental and emotional health, and enable students to overcome challenges, including:

• Self-awareness and self management
• Responsible decisionmaking
• Resiliency
• Relationship skills and conflict resoluation
• Understanding and respecting other viewpoints and backgrounds
• For grades 9 through 12, developing leadership skills, interpersonal skills, organization skills, and research skills; creating a resume, including a digital resume; exploring career pathways; using state career planning resources; developing and practicing the skills necessary for employment interviews; workplace ethics and workplace law; managing stress and expectations; and self-motivation

Charlotte County Public School District staff collaborate closely with community partners—including Drug Free Charlotte County and Charlotte Behavioral Health Care—to enrich and support these programs. Staff work together to plan and deliver lessons, share expertise, and connect students with real-world resources on substance abuse, human trafficking, and essential life skills. School-based mental health professionals also play a crucial role, ensuring lessons are delivered with sensitivity and that students can follow up with individual support when needed.

Through these efforts, Charlotte County ensures every student receives not only state-mandated instruction but also a strong local support network—helping them stay safe, make healthy choices, and develop the resilience to thrive.

The School Support and Learning Divisions have collaborated to develop a plan for the implementation of these requirements. Below is a link to Charlotte County Public School's Implementation Plan through the Florida Required Instruction Reporting Portal.