Board adopts new student mental-health policy and referral exhibits
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Summary
Trustees adopted BP 5141.5 (Mental Health) and three exhibits outlining coordination-of-services and student self-referral processes; the policy limits telehealth to special circumstances and adds forms intended to streamline referrals.
The San Rafael City Schools Board on Jan. 27 adopted Board Policy 5141.5 (Mental Health) on its second reading, along with three new exhibits that describe referral processes for school-based mental-health services.
Staff explained the policy edits were limited and primarily addressed telehealth: telehealth delivery of mental-health and behavioral-health services on campus would be permitted only "under special circumstances" (for example, for special education students or other specified needs). The three exhibits added to the policy package include: (1) a coordination-of-services referral (COST) form for teacher/staff referrals, (2) a high-school self-referral form, and (3) a scannable poster that links students to the self-referral process.
Trustees asked whether forms or scan-code mechanisms would collect medical information subject to HIPAA; staff clarified the exhibits collect educationally related information (FERPA) rather than medical records and agreed to verify data-collection compliance. Trustees praised the visual, approachable nature of the exhibits and suggested promoting the policy during Mental Health Awareness month.
The board approved the policy adoption by motion and voice vote. Staff said the new referral forms aim to route students to counseling and coordination-of-services teams while protecting privacy and clarifying thresholds for telehealth.