Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Nevada’s new anti-bullying point man taking issue seriously

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Edward Ableser, the director of Nevada's new Office for a Safe and Respectful Learning Environment, poses for a photo Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015, outside the Nevada Department of Education offices in Carson City. Ableser is spearheading a broad new anti-bullying effort proposed by Gov. Brian Sandoval and approved by state lawmakers this spring.

Nevada lawmakers approved a landmark anti-bullying bill this spring, along with millions of dollars to hire social workers to intervene on campuses. The Associated Press sat down this week with Edward Ableser, the new director of the Nevada Department of Education's Office for a Safe and Respectful Learning Environment.

"There's nothing like this in the nation," Ableser said about the anti-bullying push. "Nevada is the first state to really take this seriously."

Here are a few things to know about Ableser and the initiative:

FASTER RESPONSE TO BULLYING

Parents who testified at the Nevada Legislature this spring argued that schools responded too slowly to reports of harassment. The new law requires school officials to process bullying cases more promptly, and lays out consequences if they don't.

Jason Lamberth, the father of 13-year-old Hailee Lamberth who committed suicide after being bullied, was among those who testified.

Ableser rejects the notion that kids need to "toughen up" and accept bullying at school.

"This paradigm of 'grow thick skin, kids need to learn hard lessons' — all that does is create longitudinal mental illness, and we have scientific data to prove it," said Ableser, who noted the state is still finalizing regulations that will provide details on implementing the law.

He'll also be responsible for developing a school safety plan template and ensuring all schools know how to respond to emergencies such as active shooters. But those preparations need to be balanced with not causing fear for students.

"The last thing we want to do is heighten children's fear about going to school," he said.

SOCIAL WORKERS ALL AROUND

At Gov. Brian Sandoval's recommendation, lawmakers budgeted millions of dollars this spring with the goal of hiring a school-based social worker for every 250 students. The state will offer a block grant, while districts will apply for the money and hire the social workers.

A state budget board this week approved a nearly $1 million contract with a firm that will conduct a computerized "school climate survey" of all Nevada's 5th through 12th graders. The survey will ask questions about everything from bullying to drugs and violence and will help the anti-bullying office determine where social workers are needed most.

Ableser said he expects the survey will start this month, and hopes social workers will be hired after winter break.

One challenge will be finding enough social workers in Nevada. Ableser said Nevada needs to work with licensing boards to ensure a smooth transition for candidates, especially qualified ones who are certified in another state but not Nevada — like himself.

"We simply don't have the trained professionals to meet the needs at these schools at this point," he said.

FORMER ARIZONA LAWMAKER

Ableser, 37, served as a Democrat in the Arizona Legislature beginning in 2006, when he was appointed to a Senate seat. He served in the House of Representatives from 2007-2012, then ran for Senate before he resigned to take the Nevada job last month.

Republicans control both legislative chambers in Arizona, which limited Ableser's ability to move legislation. He said one of his key accomplishments was supporting the 2013 expansion of Medicaid championed by former Republican Gov. Jan Brewer.

Ableser owns a private counseling firm in Tempe, and his wife functions as the chief financial officer. He holds a doctorate in justice and social inquiry from Arizona State University, where he also earned a master's degree in counseling and a bachelor's degree in political science and Chinese. He spent nine months living in China with his stepfather during high school, which he said sparked his interest in learning the language.

During college, he worked on staff at a church in Tempe and helped homeless teenagers who were living in the so-called "Squatterville."

Seven years ago, he joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

HIS ROOMMATE IS A U.S. SENATOR

Ableser has been married for six years to the daughter of Nevada Republican Sen. Dean Heller, and the prospect of moving closer to family was a big attraction for the job, he said.

The couple and their two children, ages 2 and 4, are currently living with Heller while they wait to get a house of their own. Ableser said he's been helping his father-in-law with car repairs and chores on the ranch.

He said their political differences haven't been a problem.

"There's never been any discord, any disagreement. We see the world very closely, and I'm proud of everything he's doing at the U.S. Senate," Ableser said, noting he'll probably register nonpartisan in Nevada.

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