Caddo schools propose MOU with Brentwood Hospital for outpatient mental-health hub; board seeks stronger opt-out language

Caddo Parish School Board staff briefed the executive committee on Nov. 18 about a memorandum of understanding with Brentwood Hospital to provide outpatient behavioral-health services for referred students.

Under the proposal staff described, Brentwood would offer outpatient sessions three days a week at a community hub (referred to as the Harbor) instead of requiring families to visit the hospital campus. Staff and the attorney emphasized that referrals would require parental consent and that families retain full choice of provider; the MOU would not obligate the district to refer students to Brentwood.

Board members pressed for explicit opt-out language to be added to the agreement and for clear protections around consent, confidentiality and limits on in-school services. Attorney remarks cited existing statutory rules and district policy requiring parental consent for non-emergency behavioral-health services during school hours; administrators said the MOU is intended to expand access for families who hesitate to seek services at the hospital campus.

Why it matters: District staff said the MOU aims to reach students with high-level needs who otherwise avoid care because of stigma or fear of inpatient admission. Board members favored adding explicit clauses clarifying parental consent and voluntary participation before the MOU is finalized.

Next steps: Staff said they can incorporate explicit language about parental choice and return the agreement for board approval; the mental-health interagency agreement was listed on the Nov. 18 agenda for consideration.