https://padlet.com/nrojas210/3mwyxpyk0udv50hk Legal and Ethical Principles -Dr. Brook Dickison en-us 2022-03-04 17:14:00 UTC 2022-03-06 04:47:44 UTC hello@padlet.com normarojas https://padlet.com/nrojas210/3mwyxpyk0udv50hk/wish/2078830789              Being aware of the four source laws has allowed me to understand better the ethical standard a school counselor must follow to ensure students' needs are met. According to the ASCA Code of Ethics (2016), A.1 (a) school counselors "have a primary obligation to the students, who are to be treated with dignity and respect as unique individuals" (p. 1). As a school counselor, I must advocate for students and help identify students in crisis. Counselors must intervene when a student has developmental needs, personal concerns, or challenges affecting their education career, emotional, or social development. As a school counselor, I must provide interventions accessible to all students to prevent a crisis. Many times problems can be prevented when proper prevention is taken.
            This week I learned a former student committed suicide. I understand the past years have been challenging for many and know the importance of suicide prevention. However, as a school counselor, I must be well prepared to assist students in crisis and ensure they receive the help they need.

American School Counselor Association (2016). ASCA ethical standards for school counselors. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/f041cbd0-7004-47a5-ba01-3a5d657c6743/Ethical-Standards.pdf


]]> 2022-03-05 02:25:30 UTC https://padlet.com/nrojas210/3mwyxpyk0udv50hk/wish/2078830789 normarojas https://padlet.com/nrojas210/3mwyxpyk0udv50hk/wish/2078832392 A school counselor must be aware of proper legal and ethical standards. According to ASCA (2016), it is essential to "inform parents/guardians and appropriate authorities when a student poses a serious and foreseeable risk of harm to self or others(p.1). The school counselor's responsibility is to keep students safe even if the risk is low. The ethical thing to do is to "report risk assessment results to parents to underscore the need to act on behalf of a child at risk; which is something a school counselor cannot know with certainty" therefore must follow all protocols and laws (ASCA, 2016, p. 4).

American School Counselor Association (2016). ASCA ethical standards for school counselors. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/f041cbd0-7004-47a5-ba01-3a5d657c6743/Ethical-Standards.pdf]]> 2022-03-05 02:28:07 UTC https://padlet.com/nrojas210/3mwyxpyk0udv50hk/wish/2078832392 normarojas https://padlet.com/nrojas210/3mwyxpyk0udv50hk/wish/2078847783 A school counselor must be well informed on local and national legislation from my professional perspective. Being informed will ensure school counselors make the right decisions and avoid legal actions. I chose "working with suicidal students" as my topic due to the unprecedented years. Many adolescents struggle to cope with their own emotions; new norms and ways of learning have caused additional stress to students' lives. In addition, when schools opened this academic year, mental health experts predicted increased mental health issues (Pincus et al., 2020). For this reason, school counselors need to have the proper tool to be informed on ethical, local, and national laws when working with suicidal students.

Pincus, R., Hannor-Walker, T., Wright, L., & Justice, J. (2020). COVID-19's Effect on Students: How School Counselors Rise to the Rescue. NASSP Bulletin, 104(4), 241–256.]]> 2022-03-05 02:54:07 UTC https://padlet.com/nrojas210/3mwyxpyk0udv50hk/wish/2078847783 normarojas https://padlet.com/nrojas210/3mwyxpyk0udv50hk/wish/2078937553 It is crucial to understand and be aware of Ethical Standards to ensure best practices are implemented.

-Suicide Prevention training is mandated by law, but school counselors must ensure proper protocols are being allowed to ensure the safety of students.

-According to ASCA (2016), a school counselor must inform students of confidential rights and report any concerns appropriately to ensure their safety. 

- According to the ASCA Code of Ethics (2016), "all students have the right to, A safe school environment promoting autonomy and justice and free from abuse, bullying, harassment and other forms of violence (p.1)."

-When a school counselor is aware of a student who is suicidal or at risk, it is the responsibility of the counselor not to release the student until the student has appropriate support (ASCA, 2016).

- Parents must be informed when a school counselor is aware a student may have Suicidal Ideation even if the risk is low.

- A school counselor should never diagnose only refer students to seek a proper diagnosis from a professional.

- When a student is at-risk proper protocols must be allowed and outsource students when needed. Also, ensure guardians are provided with adequate resources to assist their children in getting the help they need.

- School counselors who do not follow the ASCA Code of Ethics could be held liable for negligence if they know a student is in harm's way.

American School Counselor Association (2016). ASCA ethical standards for school counselors. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/f041cbd0-7004-47a5-ba01-3a5d657c6743/Ethical-Standards.pd]]> 2022-03-05 06:09:47 UTC https://padlet.com/nrojas210/3mwyxpyk0udv50hk/wish/2078937553 nrojas210 https://padlet.com/nrojas210/3mwyxpyk0udv50hk/wish/2079215275                  Lydia Araujo has worked as a school counselor at Mendez Middle School for seven years. Becoming a guidance counselor had always been her educational goal. Becoming a school counselor shoe would help students emotionally and academically so they may live a more productive life and achieve their academic goals (L. Araujo, 2022). Araujo explains the district protocol when dealing with a crisis, "when a crisis occurs, it becomes our priority as counselors we make sure the student is not in harm's way" (L. Araujo, personal communication, February 28, 2022). Araujo also touches on new legislation passed due to the pandemic and a rise in mental health. 
                In June, Abbot signed SB 179, which required school counselors to work on their duties and program 80% of the time (L. Araujo, 2022). Araujo expressed how the district has focused on mental health and provided training, "We had a full day of training devoted to mental health and resources" (L. Araujo, personal communication, February 28, 2022). Araujo states the importance of having a clear understanding of the legislation as it directly impacts the role of a school counselor to stay in compliance and meet the needs of her students.
                    Araujo recommends the following best practices to ensure students are safe and prevent a future crisis. A counselor's primary focus should be the stability of their student. A school counselor can provide short-term counseling, create early interventions, screen students, refer students, and teach problem-solving strategies. By being vigilant and meeting the whole child, a school counselor can assist a student going through mental instability and ensure the student receives the proper support (L. Araujo, 2022).

L. Araujo, personal communication, February 28, 2022]]> 2022-03-05 15:00:40 UTC https://padlet.com/nrojas210/3mwyxpyk0udv50hk/wish/2079215275 nrojas210 https://padlet.com/nrojas210/3mwyxpyk0udv50hk/wish/2079221191 Educators need to understand NSI, the first sign of a student going through a mental health issue. Often, Suicidal Ideation (SI) starts with NSI, and intervention is vital in these cases to ensure the safety of a student.


ASCA, retrieved 2 March 2022, https://videos.schoolcounselor.org/nonsuicidal-self-injury]]> 2022-03-05 15:09:27 UTC https://padlet.com/nrojas210/3mwyxpyk0udv50hk/wish/2079221191 nrojas210 https://padlet.com/nrojas210/3mwyxpyk0udv50hk/wish/2079226992 A former student of Milton High School sued the district for the negligence of his sexual assault that occurred when he was a freshman. A year prior, another student committed suicide due to the same allegations. The plaintiff argued the school knew of the team's homophonic and bullying that had been going on. After a few deliberations, the jury did conclude that the district negligence caused harm to the former student. According to the negligence definition, a school is held liable when the plaintiff can prove "that the injury was caused by the breach of duty" (Newhman, 2000, p. 46). According to the ASCA Code of Ethics (2016), "all students have the right to, A safe school environment promoting autonomy and justice and free from abuse, bullying, harassment and other forms of violence (p.1)." The district in the article did not uphold the Code of Ethics as they knew about the bullying and harassment and could have prevented harm to their students.

Newhman, H. (2000). When is a teacher or school liable in negligence? (2000). Australian Journal of Teacher Education.

American School Counselor Association (2016). ASCA ethical standards for school counselors. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/f041cbd0-7004-47a5-ba01-3a5d657c6743/Ethical-Standards.pdf

]]> 2022-03-05 15:18:30 UTC https://padlet.com/nrojas210/3mwyxpyk0udv50hk/wish/2079226992 nrojas210 https://padlet.com/nrojas210/3mwyxpyk0udv50hk/wish/2079526040 The article speaks of a family suing a D.C. charter school after their 12-year-old child committed suicide. The family claimed the school's psychologist knew she did not want to live but classified her as a low risk of suicide. The student was also struggling academically and was frequently in trouble. Her parents were unaware of their child's comment to the psychologist until after her death. As school counselors or personnel, the student's priority should always be. According to ASCA (2016), "Inform parents/guardians and appropriate authorities when a student poses a serious and foreseeable risk of harm to self or others" (p. 4). The psychologist who was aware of the student's possible risk of harm needed to inform the parents to decide what was best for their child. Not telling the parents the psychologic put the child at foreseeable risk even if they dreamed them low risk.


American School Counselor Association (2016). ASCA ethical standards for school counselors. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/f041cbd0-7004-47a5-ba01-3a5d657c6743/Ethical-Standards.pdf

]]> 2022-03-06 01:22:29 UTC https://padlet.com/nrojas210/3mwyxpyk0udv50hk/wish/2079526040 nrojas210 https://padlet.com/nrojas210/3mwyxpyk0udv50hk/wish/2079536568 Article V states Congress can make Amendments to the Constitution or any Legislation when it deems necessary. This specific article allows Congress to amend or add legislation when they see the best fit. For example, Texas was aware of the mental health crisis this upcoming academic year and amended Section 33.006(d) to ensure counselors are focused on their program. 

U.S. Const. art. V.



]]> 2022-03-06 01:52:20 UTC https://padlet.com/nrojas210/3mwyxpyk0udv50hk/wish/2079536568 nrojas210 https://padlet.com/nrojas210/3mwyxpyk0udv50hk/wish/2079558021 In September 2022, the Texas legislature amended Section 33.006 (d) to ensure school counselors met the mental health needs of students. The proposed S.B. No. 179 introduces related to the school counselor work time.


Tex. Educ. Code §33.006(d). (1995 & rev. 2021). https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.33.htm  ]]> 2022-03-06 02:32:29 UTC https://padlet.com/nrojas210/3mwyxpyk0udv50hk/wish/2079558021 nrojas210 https://padlet.com/nrojas210/3mwyxpyk0udv50hk/wish/2079570191 The following resource guides School Counselor's role in suicide prevention.


American School Counselor Association. (2018). The school counselor and suicide prevention/awareness.      Schoolcounselor.org. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Standards-Positions/Position-Statements/ASCA-Position-Statements/The-School-Counselor-and-Suicide-Prevention-Awaren]]> 2022-03-06 03:02:21 UTC https://padlet.com/nrojas210/3mwyxpyk0udv50hk/wish/2079570191 nrojas210 https://padlet.com/nrojas210/3mwyxpyk0udv50hk/wish/2079578689 The Texas Administrative Code Title 19 Chapter 152 states all school districts and charter schools must provide suicidal training. 

19. Tex. Admin. Code.  2 & 153. 1013]]> 2022-03-06 03:22:21 UTC https://padlet.com/nrojas210/3mwyxpyk0udv50hk/wish/2079578689 nrojas210 https://padlet.com/nrojas210/3mwyxpyk0udv50hk/wish/2079583178 The SB was intended for suicide prevention by identifying students at risk of Suicide Ideation.


]]> 2022-03-06 03:33:44 UTC https://padlet.com/nrojas210/3mwyxpyk0udv50hk/wish/2079583178 nrojas210 https://padlet.com/nrojas210/3mwyxpyk0udv50hk/wish/2079597724 All AISD campuses must follow a specific guide when a critical incident occurs. The campus must initiate the AISD Critical Incident response team when a crisis occurs, including suicide. In case of a crisis, the team is activated. To ensure the needs of the campus and those affected are taken care of. 

Austin Independent School District. (2022). Critical incident response team. https://archive.austinisd.org/academics/docs/sss_Critical_Incidence.pdfhttps://archive.austinisd.org/academics/docs/sss_Critical_Incidence.pdf ]]> 2022-03-06 03:51:32 UTC https://padlet.com/nrojas210/3mwyxpyk0udv50hk/wish/2079597724