Central Unified to join county pilot that alerts schools when students are treated for self‑harm, board approves 7‑0

The Central Unified Board of Trustees unanimously approved participation in a youth suicide prevention pilot on May 13 that will share limited medical alerts with the district to help schools respond when students receive emergency care for self‑harm outside school hours.

Supervisor Smith presented the proposal, which the district is joining with Sanger Unified, Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health and a health information exchange called Manifest Medics. The alert system is scheduled to begin approximately Sept. 1 and will send emails to district staff containing only the student’s name and date of birth when a student is treated at a participating health care facility for self‑harm behaviors.

Supervisor Smith and Interim Superintendent O'Brien said the goal is to speed school follow‑up so intervention counselors and site teams can offer supports during the next school day. Staff told trustees the district will include the pilot in the annual family notifications at the start of the school year and take privacy steps: recipient staff will be required to attend annual HIPAA training, and messages will be limited to name and date of birth.

Trustees asked operational questions. Trustee Carrillo asked whether administrative procedures will clarify who receives alerts and whether response is expected after hours; staff said the expectation is to mobilize support the next school day and that standard operating procedures and a response team are in place. Trustee Chavez raised privacy and stigma concerns and staff said the district plans transparent family notification and voluntary offer of school‑based supports.

Trustee Griffon moved to approve and Trustee Sellers seconded; the motion passed 7-0. Administration will include pilot details in family start‑of‑year notifications and required staff training.