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Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
Roles and Responsibilities
The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health will support the Safe Schools/Healthy Students grant initiative and Project Director in the following ways:
- Continued counsel and active participation in the Montebello Unified School District Safe Schools/Healthy Students grant initiative, and building the present relationship and collaborative;
- Serve on the SS/HS Core Management Team in planning, management, and implementation; policy making; and coordination of services and resources;
- Provide consultation on mental health services in the Montebello Unified School District schools including assistance with any necessary policies, procedures, and management structures that will support the efficient delivery of mental health services;
- Work closely with MUSD to contract additional school-based mental health services, either directly though the Department of Mental Health or through a qualified mental health service provider(s).
- Work with MUSD’s Mental Health Liaison to integrate services into schools, including selection and implementation of referral tools, screening instruments, and intensive services;
- Collaborate with Montebello Unified School District Social Services and other family advocates developing a referral system and a network of programs that respond to families’ needs (includes, but is not limited to social services, mental and physical health assessment, and mental health services).
- Provide data and information necessary for the evaluation of mental health service delivery to the local evaluator, including the data related to the Government Performance and Results Act Performance Indicators established by the federal government;
- Plan for on-going collaboration with the Los Angeles County Mental Health Department and mental health service providers to eliminate barriers surrounding the delivery of mental health services defined in the grant;
- Send representative(s) to an annual national Safe Schools/Healthy Students three-day conference. Grant funds will pay for all expenses; and
- Develop relationships that foster the sustainability of the project’s goals and objectives beyond the end of the grant to allow for continuation of SS/HS programming components.
Mental Health Screening, Referral, and Treatment Process
- The evaluation team will develop a parent consent form allowing students to participate in the SS/HS project, which will specifically indicate permission for students to participate in school-based mental health screenings, assessments, and services.
The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and mental health service providers will adhere to the following guidelines:
- Mental health service providers will participate in a mental health anti-stigma campaign in collaboration with the Montebello Unified School District directed toward staff, parents, and students (where age appropriate) to encourage referrals and access to mental health services;
- Through a school based Student Study Team (SST) process, a need for a comprehensive assessment may be suggested/determined for a child/youth. Parents as members of the SST have the opportunity to ask questions and raise issues regarding the SST’s recommendation before making a decision. If a parent is unavailable to attend the SST, an alternate effective means of communication will be used to afford parents their rights to an informed decision;
- The school psychologist will be encouraged to participate in SSTs whenever mental health services are being considered for a student. The school psychologist will be available through whatever means parents prefer (i.e.: In person at the SST or private consultation) to answer any questions before parents are required to make a decision. In order to proceed with a referral to services for an assessment it will be necessary for the parents to sign a consent for release of information.
- Parents will have the opportunity to work directly with a mental health provider as an alternative to our SS/HS school based mental health services. The student’s school will not be notified of findings without the express written permission by the parents who will be advised that this permission is optional;
- Parents who consent to a referral for a comprehensive assessment will be given referral options including the school based mental health service provided by a mental health provider at their child/youth’s school site, the provider’s local clinic, or private practitioner of their choice. The school psychologist will assist the parents in the referral process with information regarding services, the process, and what to expect. Scheduling of an appointment will be facilitated;
- If the comprehensive assessment indicates a need for mental health services, the parents will be notified within fourteen (14) days by mail. If the child appears to be in need of an emergency assessment the parents will be contacted immediately, and assistance will be provided for them to access the necessary services consistent with the immediacy required;
- Emergency assessment/services will be provided/coordinated following the appropriate guidelines and protocols described in the MUSD Crisis Intervention Team Handbook. If a mental health provider is already providing service for a particular student experiencing an emergency, the mental health provider may assert his/her role with their client but the school staff will assume the lead in regard to their student’s care/ needs. If an emergency arises with a student not under care of a mental health provider and there is limited staff available to care for this student’s needs, the MUSD will welcome support/resources from the mental health provider present at that school site, but the school staff is ultimately responsible for any child/youth’s emergency needs; and
- MUSD may also utilize the PMRT (Psychiatric Mobile Response Team) system of the LA County Department of Mental Health in the event of an emergency.
The Montebello Unified School District will adhere to the following guidelines:
- Through the MUSD SS/HS grant initiative screenings, assessments and treatment services will be provided to MUSD students at selected elementary, K-8, and intermediate schools throughout the district. As part of the SS/HS grant effort, parents and students will be approached, as part of an awareness campaign, regarding the merits of mental health screenings and access to early intervention and treatment where needed. An orientation of the screening/referral process will be provided for faculties at each district school where services will be provided;
- The SS/HS grant efforts will also include a community education/engagement piece. The MUSD will detail ideas for a social marketing campaign, including celebration National Awareness Mental Health Day, as the work evolves with this grant from year to year;
- It is the MUSD’s plan to use consent forms provided both by the school district and the designated mental health providers at each particular school; however, consent for mental health screenings and referrals will be included as part of the SS/HS participation consent form developed by the project;
- If, as a result of a screening/referral, a need for a more comprehensive assessment is indicated, the parent will be notified. A more comprehensive assessment will be conducted in consultation with additional resources provided by the mental health provider, i.e.: consultation with a psychiatrist or referral to another agency. If upon completion of the assessment, it is determined that hospitalization/medication is necessary, the child/youth will be referred to the appropriate services. A therapist may be assigned to the case as needed to follow up on the child/youth needs to assure the appropriate connections to services or that further assessments are made;
- A mental health consultation can occur between the assigned therapist and any other appropriate staff, i.e.: school psychologist or medical doctor, when necessary; and
- A referral for an evaluation will also be available to parents through the school based clinic’s regular mental health intake process. A parent completed the referral form, contacts the clinic’s main office, and child/youth is scheduled for an intake. If, after the intake, the child is determined to be in need of services a therapist will be assigned.
Financial Responsibility
- The project dates for this memorandum of agreement are 7/1/08-6/30/12. It is expected that the SS/HS grant initiative will be funded through 6/30/12. The memorandum of understanding will be reviewed annually and modified as appropriate to accurately reflect the project’s goals and objectives.
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