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District highlights social‑work growth, screening wins and partner clinics but faces funding cliff
Summary
District staff told the board that reinstated social‑worker positions and screening efforts correspond with drops in self‑reported suicidal ideation and attempts in student surveys; presenters described HB 281's limits on who can provide therapy, consent/notification rules, and partnerships with clinics (West, Rose Park, Liberty) and Odyssey House, but cautioned several social‑worker positions are grant‑funded and face future funding decisions.
District staff and partners updated the Salt Lake City School District board on June 2 about school‑based mental‑health services, licensed social workers and community partnerships to expand care.
Mindy Hondell, student services director, and lead social worker Melissa Larson explained House Bill 281 (2025) requires licensed social workers to provide restricted mental‑health therapy in schools; school counselors may deliver prevention and skills instruction but not restricted clinical therapy. HB 281 also requires a separate parental consent form for therapy and a 24‑hour notification process unless parents select a different notification option. Group sessions are permitted only as skill‑building, not as group therapy that processes personal histories.
Larson walked the board through the referral and intake process, weekly sessions (typically 30–45 minutes) and an 8–12 session typical course that can be extended for clinical reasons. The district reported 19 social workers served more than 1,300 students this year, and staff credited screening and expanded social‑work capacity with districtwide declines in SHARP survey measures for suicidal ideation, planning and attempts.
District and partner representatives described an expanding clinic footprint. The West High clinic has recorded thousands of visits; community clinics at Liberty and Rose Park serve students and families and can continue services through summer months. Partners (Intermountain Healthcare, University of Utah, Odyssey House) are exploring grant applications and memoranda of understanding to expand capacity and make services available while protecting student privacy (FERPA/HIPAA) constraints.
Board members raised three recurring questions: whether reductions to social workers (due to lapsing grants) will reduce screenings and services, how the district will sustain grant‑funded positions when grants expire, and whether partner providers can be configured to avoid access barriers (billing or privacy) that limit service continuity. Staff said they will provide reports on screening opt‑outs and the anticipated effect of any position cuts and continue negotiating partnerships and funding options.
What happens next: Staff will report screening uptake statistics, continue grant‑writing and partnership negotiations, and return with sustainability plans for positions now funded by expiring grants.
