Directs the State Board of Education (Board) to establish the Mental Health Triage Unit Pilot Program (Program) to fund at least one mental health triage unit (triage unit) in each participating local school administrative unit (LSA unit). Provides the Program will be administered for three fiscal years and end on June 30, 2024. Provides LSA units may apply to participate in the Program and directs the Board to select up to eight LSA units to participate based on:
(1) The level of resources available to the LSA unit that will receive funds from the Program,
(2) Overall impact on student mental health in the LSA unit, if the LSA unit were selected to participate, and
(3) The history of sudden traumatic events in the LSA unit.
Provides that each LSA unit participating in the Program will receive $250,000 in each year that funds are made available to establish a triage unit in the LSA unit. States the purpose of the triage unit is to provide mental health resources to students and to be on call during school hours to address student mental health emergencies. Directs participating LSA units to inform students and staff of the triage unit and any opportunities to learn about its purpose and function.
Directs the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and the Center for Safer Schools, in cooperation with the Department of Public Safety, to establish standards and guidelines for the development, operation, and staffing of the triage units, including a requirement that the triage units be staffed by at least one school nurse, school social worker, and school counselor who is a licensed clinical mental health counselor.
Directs the Board to report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by March 15, 2022, and each year thereafter that the Program is funded, on the following:
(1) The identity of each LSA unit that received funds under the Program, and
(2) An assessment of the impact of the Program on the mental health of students in the participating LSA units.
Appropriates $2 million in recurring funds from the General Fund to DPI for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to implement the Program.
Effective July 1, 2021.