Mental Health Policies

School districts receive funding to expand mental health services for students. The problem with these resources is that neither the school district nor parents and students seems to understand the differences among the mental health roles or resources being offered. This policy seeks to clarify the roles and responsibilities of mental health professionals in schools so that parents and students can have informed consent when considering the resources available to them. This policy corresponds to NWEF's Navigating Mental Health K-12, specifically, session two, ‘Roles and Responsibilities of Mental Health Professionals in Schools.’ 

Research continues to support that parents are the frontline of a child’s education and a student’s primary indicator of success. This model policy seeks to foster collaboration between the school board and parents by sending periodic notifications to parents about the district’s parental engagement plans. These parental engagement plans are already required for federal funding, but implementing this policy would make them more accessible to parents. This policy corresponds to NWEF's Navigating Mental Health K-12, specifically, session three, ‘A Positive School Climate Adhering to Legal and Ethical Guidelines .’ 

All parents and guardians want their students to feel safe and supported in their school environment. This model policy guides the school board to develop more thorough and well-practiced crisis management plans. Should a crisis unfortunately occur, districts should clarify procedures, roles, and resources to help students feel safer and better prepared both before and after a crisis. This model policy corresponds directly to NWEF’s ‘Navigating Mental Health K-12’ training, specifically, Session Four, 'Crisis Management and Trauma Informed Practices.'   

School Districts have the option to offer social-emotional learning (SEL) programs to students, but what content is included in these programs? Given multiple cases of school boards being unaware of ideological, political, and sexual materials presented in these programs, this policy would require school boards to thoroughly review SEL programs before implementing them in the district curriculum. Understanding the content of SEL programs also allows parents the opportunity to opt their student out of the program before active class participation. This model policy directly corresponds to NWEF’s ‘Navigating Mental Health K-12,’ specifically, Session Five, ‘The Mission to Protect and Educate!’

Parents with students in the public school system are paying for school resources through their tax dollars that might be unnecessary or ineffective. A needs assessment is a survey conducted to assess the need and effectiveness of different mental health resources provided in schools. Parents also have a constitutional right to have their student opt out of these needs assessments if they do not wish their student to participate. This model policy corresponds directly to NWEF’s ‘Navigating Mental Health K-12’ training, specifically, Session Six, 'Advocacy and Action.'