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Monrovia board conditionally renews Hazel Health telehealth contract after unsolicited family email
Summary
After parents received an unsolicited marketing email from vendor Hazel Health, the Monrovia Unified School District board paused and then approved the vendor’s renewal 5–0 on the condition the company provide written assurances it will not contact families without prior district approval; staff said 11 families reached out and six scheduled teletherapy sessions after the message.
The Monrovia Unified School District Board of Education voted 5–0 to approve a renewal of a telehealth agreement with Hazel Health, contingent on receiving a written guarantee the vendor will not contact district families for marketing purposes without prior approval from the superintendent.
The motion followed heated discussion after board members learned an email sent by Hazel Health’s marketing director reached enrolled families without prior district sign-off. Board President Rob Hammond said the unsolicited outreach felt “like the Coca‑Cola company saying try our new drink,” framing the committee’s concern that a health partner had crossed the district’s boundaries by marketing to students and families. Hammond moved to continue the item until the next meeting but later joined a motion to approve the renewal provided the company submits written assurances before the contract’s July 1 start date.
District staff said Hazel Health was paid through a grant and that the district provided batched contact information from its student information system for outreach and self‑referral. Dr. Jones (district staff) told the board Hazel Health apologized, called the emails a mistake and said the company would not repeat the conduct. According to staff, 11 families reached out after the email and six scheduled telehealth visits over the summer; district counselors and other community partners will be offered to families if any contract changes occur.
Board members pressed two practical questions: whether the six students already connected to Hazel Health would lose access before the board’s next regular meeting and how to preserve continuity for families. Staff said they would contact the families, identify who was receiving services and coordinate interim support if necessary.
Several board members requested stronger contractual language and written confirmation from Hazel Health. Trustee [motion maker] framed the approved condition: the contract will proceed only after Hazel Health provides written confirmation that it will not contact families without prior district approval; absent that confirmation by July 1, the agreement would be null and void.
The board’s action moves the contract forward while creating a documented check to prevent future direct marketing. District leaders said they would follow up with affected families and work with the vendor to align practices with the Memorandum of Understanding and FERPA/HIPAA expectations.
What’s next: Staff will collect the requested written assurances from Hazel Health and report back to the board; district officials said they will notify families who reached out and arrange alternate support if necessary.
