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Board adopts rule defining mental-health service coordinator role; debate over parental consent for "ongoing" services
Summary
The board adopted new Administrative Code Rule 290-4-5-08 to clarify the duties of mental-health service coordinators in schools. Supporters said the rule distinguishes coordinators from school counselors and will help students access services; some board members voiced concerns about language on parental consent for students under 14.
The Alabama State Board of Education voted to adopt a new administrative rule, 290-4-5-08, that defines the role of mental-health service coordinators and seeks to distinguish the coordinators— work from certified school counseling programs.
Supporters in public comment included Dr. Daniel Birdsong, president of the Alabama School Counselor Association, who asked the board to approve the rule and said it "clearly distinguishes between mental health services implemented by licensed mental health providers through the mental health service coordinator and school counseling services implemented by certified school counselors." Birdsong said school counseling programs promote students— academic, career and personal-social development and that the rule will help ensure students "continue to benefit from school counseling support services that they deserve."
Marlo Young, a mental-health service coordinator for the Escambia County School System, also spoke in favor and described the coordinator—s work as a supplement to school counseling that connects students and families with tier‑3 community mental-health services. Young said an "opt in" approach and parental-consent requirement for ongoing services has created confusion in some districts and described how consent is obtained through local community mental-health agencies.
During discussion, board members focused on one provision that says "no student K–12 public school under age 14 may be allowed to participate in ongoing school counseling service ... unless specific written instruction has been granted by the student's parents, unless there's an imminent threat to the health of the student or others." Several superintendents and board members asked for a departmental clarification of the term "ongoing school counseling services" so that existing school counseling programs would not be misinterpreted as restricted by the rule.
One board member told the meeting they planned to vote against the rule, saying too many questions remained about departmental authority and the board—s continuing oversight. The motion to adopt the rule carried the vote following discussion; the board chair indicated Dr. Mackey would issue clarifying guidance to explain what constitutes "ongoing" services and how parental consent interacts with therapeutic services delivered by community providers.
