Peoria Unified board adopts policy requiring licensed social workers, mental-health counselors

Peoria Unified’s Governing Board approved a new policy Wednesday requiring that school social workers and mental-health counselors be licensed by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners to provide psychotherapy or other clinical behavioral-health services within district schools. The board voted 4–1 to adopt the second-read policy, with the measure set to take effect July 1, 2025.

The vote follows months of public comment and a lengthy debate during the board’s March 11 meeting. Supporters said licensing would increase professional accountability and reduce legal risk for the district when students receive clinical services at school. Critics and several parents described concerns about access and the speed of the roll-out, saying some district employees would need more time to meet licensing requirements.

During the meeting, board attorney Susan Siegel described the legal background the board considered. She said state statute restricts the practice of behavioral-health psychotherapy to licensed behavioral-health professionals and noted the district must ensure it is not permitting the practice of psychotherapy by unlicensed people. "If social workers or anyone else is engaging in psychotherapy, they need to be licensed," Siegel said in response to board questions.

The district administration and board discussed implementation steps and timelines. Superintendent Dr. Summers told the board district staff would contact affected employees and outline supports and pathways to licensure. Board members sought assurances administrators would provide individualized guidance for current employees and evaluate alternatives where licensing is not feasible for particular staff.

Public speakers included parents, district social workers and other staff. Some parents described serious harms they said resulted from prior use of unlicensed personnel; social workers and other employees urged caution and said many school social work activities — such as short-term problem solving, school-based referrals and resource coordination — do not require clinical licensure. Several speakers asked the board to phase implementation to avoid losing licensed staff; others urged the board to adopt policy now to clarify roles and protect students.

The adopted policy sets uniform requirements for practice in district schools and directs administration to develop procedures for implementation. The board asked administration to return with more detail on supports for staff and on how it will maintain continuity of services for students while staff pursue licensure or the district pursues alternative arrangements.