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Board narrows wording on mental-health counseling policy, affirms parental consent for therapy
Summary
Trustees amended BP 5141.5 to clarify that wellness centers and community providers handle therapeutic mental-health services and reaffirmed that parental consent is required for Tier 2 (groups) and Tier 3 (individual therapy). The board approved the policy as amended after public comment urging stronger parent notification.
The Roseville Joint Union High School District board on June 11 amended and approved policy revisions meant to clarify how students access counseling and therapeutic mental-health services, and to restate the district’s parental-consent practices.
Trustee Mara led the policy discussion and proposed tightening language to make clear that school counselors provide services "in accordance with the specialization authorized by the individual's credential," while therapeutic services occur through the district wellness centers or in the community. Mara read proposed redline language clarifying referrals: "as needed students and their parents or guardians may be provided referrals to Mental Health Services in our wellness centers and in the community."
Public commenters pressed the board to require parental consent. Nicole read a prepared statement from Kimberly Crabtree arguing the draft policy contained a loophole that could allow services without timely parental notice; Nicole said the language "promotes secret keeping and deceives parents." Members of the board and staff responded with procedural detail: wellness-center services are logged in the student information system, Tier 1 drop-in visits generate attendance notification, and Tier 2 group services and Tier 3 individual therapy require explicit parent or guardian consent and an intake process.
Trustees amended the policy heading to "mental health counseling and therapeutic referrals" and approved the revised language. The board voted to adopt BP 5141.5 as amended and also approved related policy BP 6164 (guidance and counseling services) during the meeting, while directing staff to publish clearer public-facing materials explaining tiers, consent forms and how families are notified.
"Parent/guardian consent is required for Tier 2 and Tier 3 services," a staff member said during the discussion, describing the district's tiered model and noting therapy episodes typically run "between six to 12 sessions" with an identified end date. Trustees voted to approve the amended policy.
