Legal & Ethical Guide - Student Mental Health, Social-Emotional Learning & Academics by Sarah Tollison https://padlet.com/stollison1/fm0apmjnc1n38b8p Sarah Tollison ~ Angelo State University en-us 2022-09-25 20:39:34 UTC 2022-09-30 01:59:06 UTC hello@padlet.com Slide #1 Professional Perspective/Audience/Topic stollison1 https://padlet.com/stollison1/fm0apmjnc1n38b8p/wish/2312598008 My professional perspective is from the role of elementary principal. This legal Padlet can be accessed by K-12 educators as a resource to learn more about the law and how it pertains to student mental health, social-emotional learning and their academics.

I chose this topic because there are many more students today that are living in mental health crises. As educators, it is our duty to protect their lives in all aspects.]]> 2022-09-25 21:26:42 UTC https://padlet.com/stollison1/fm0apmjnc1n38b8p/wish/2312598008 Slide #2 Interview stollison1 https://padlet.com/stollison1/fm0apmjnc1n38b8p/wish/2312599236 As a principal, I will have to keep mental health of students and teachers at the forefront. If students don’t have the capacity to learn because of emotional/mental health issues, we have to address those issues along with academics. It helps to have an effective school counselor and counseling program that benefits students who need it. It is important to stay informed by trainings and laws. When we are made aware of any mental health issues, we must act on them and provide help whether it is student or employee. Districts have several protocols including one for suicide concerns that campus administrators are required to complete immediately.

Best Practices:
* Act immediately
* Youth Mental Health First Aid training
* Build relationships with students to prevent serious issues
* Follow protocol exactly as it is provided

Since Covid, students have seemed to struggle more and more and fall prey to the idea of suicide to end their problems. We must be on guard to changing behaviors. Students have been lacking socializing appropriately, and that is something that needs to be retaught. We must be alert and proactive to prevent that path for students of all ages. 

Christy Strayhorn, former elementary principal
Burleson ISD - Burleson, TX]]> 2022-09-25 21:29:08 UTC https://padlet.com/stollison1/fm0apmjnc1n38b8p/wish/2312599236 Slide #3 Professional Association stollison1 https://padlet.com/stollison1/fm0apmjnc1n38b8p/wish/2312624374 Association of Texas Professional Educators. (2018, September). Mental health first aid course available for educators. https://www.atpe.org/About-ATPE/News-Media/ATPE-Blog/2018/September/Mental-Health-First-Aid-Course-Available-for-Educa

This resource points educators to a free resource for mental health first aid. It teachers educators how to identify persons with possible mental health struggles and how to approach the subject with that person.

https://www.atpe.org/About-ATPE/News-Media/ATPE-Blog/2018/September/Mental-Health-First-Aid-Course-Available-for-Educa]]> 2022-09-25 22:23:08 UTC https://padlet.com/stollison1/fm0apmjnc1n38b8p/wish/2312624374 Slide #4 Current News Article stollison1 https://padlet.com/stollison1/fm0apmjnc1n38b8p/wish/2312628007 Pearson Assessments. (2022, August). Is universal screening the secret to a more successful school year? 3 steps to implementation. K-12Dive. https://www.k12dive.com/spons/is-universal-screening-the-secret-to-a-more-successful-school-year-3-steps/628495/

* 3 steps to implementing a universal screener for mental health
* The mental health crisis is on the rise in young students
* Early intervention is critical
* It's important to communicate with the parents about the screening and the findings

https://www.k12dive.com/spons/is-universal-screening-the-secret-to-a-more-successful-school-year-3-steps/628495/]]> 2022-09-25 22:30:22 UTC https://padlet.com/stollison1/fm0apmjnc1n38b8p/wish/2312628007 Slide #5 Current News Article stollison1 https://padlet.com/stollison1/fm0apmjnc1n38b8p/wish/2314414286 Riser-Kositsky, M.(2022, March 28). Data: Does your state have enough school psychologists and counselors? Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/leadership/data-does-your-state-have-enough-school-psychologists-and-counselors/2022/03

* Describes the roles of the school psychologist and school counselor for students

* Notes the importance of student mental health and having access to school psychologists and counselors

* Gives data per state as to the percentages of schools having the correct ratio of students to school psychologists

* Gives data per state as to the percentages of schools having the correct ratio of students to school counselors

https://www.edweek.org/leadership/data-does-your-state-have-enough-school-psychologists-and-counselors/2022/03]]> 2022-09-26 21:23:24 UTC https://padlet.com/stollison1/fm0apmjnc1n38b8p/wish/2314414286 Slide #6 Constitutional Law stollison1 https://padlet.com/stollison1/fm0apmjnc1n38b8p/wish/2314420342 National Archives. (2018, November 16). The Declaration of Independence. National Archives. https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration

‌* Unalienable rights: life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness

* Vision of a better life

* Requires freedom and rights to all citizens

* Free and equal education

https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration]]> 2022-09-26 21:30:36 UTC https://padlet.com/stollison1/fm0apmjnc1n38b8p/wish/2314420342 Slide #7 Statutory Law stollison1 https://padlet.com/stollison1/fm0apmjnc1n38b8p/wish/2316495531 H.R.1109 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Mental Health Services for Students Act of 2020. (2020, September 30). https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1109/text

H.R.1109 - Mental Health Services for Students Act of 2020
* An Act to amend the Public Health Service Act to revise and extend projects relating to children and to provide access to school-based comprehensive mental health programs.

* Services must include access to:
(1) developmentally, linguistically, and culturally appropriate;
(2) trauma-informed; and
(3) incorporate positive behavioral interventions and supports.

* Schools should be awarded grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to provide adequate services for students]]> 2022-09-28 00:11:30 UTC https://padlet.com/stollison1/fm0apmjnc1n38b8p/wish/2316495531 Slide #8 Judicial Law stollison1 https://padlet.com/stollison1/fm0apmjnc1n38b8p/wish/2320152812 Dear Colleague letter from Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Russlynn Ali. (2020, January 10). Www2.Ed.gov. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-201109.html
‌
Dear Colleague Letter

* If a student has a mental health issue that substantially limits a major life activity, the student may need services to have an equal opportunity to participate in a public school’s activities

* 504 services may be needed

https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-201109.html


]]> 2022-09-29 22:41:31 UTC https://padlet.com/stollison1/fm0apmjnc1n38b8p/wish/2320152812 Slide #9 Administrative Law stollison1 https://padlet.com/stollison1/fm0apmjnc1n38b8p/wish/2320164619 Texas Education Code Section 38.351 - Mental Health Promotion and Intervention, Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention, and Suicide Prevention (2019). (n.d.). Texas.public.law. https://texas.public.law/statutes/tex._educ._code_section_38.351
‌
Mental Health Promotion and Intervention, Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention, and Suicide Prevention

*  must provide and annually update a list of recommended best practice-based programs and research-based practices in the area of early mental health prevention and intervention

* school district shall develop practices and procedures concerning early mental health prevention and intervention

* policies and procedures must be included in the annual student handbook and the district improvement plan

https://texas.public.law/statutes/tex._educ._code_section_38.351
]]> 2022-09-29 23:01:38 UTC https://padlet.com/stollison1/fm0apmjnc1n38b8p/wish/2320164619 Slide #10 Local Administrative Law/Policy/Rule stollison1 https://padlet.com/stollison1/fm0apmjnc1n38b8p/wish/2320214733 Human Resources / Employee Handbook. (n.d.). Www.shermanisd.net. Retrieved September 30, 2022, from https://www.shermanisd.net/Page/359
‌
All employees that suspect a student has a mental health issue must report it, according to the employee handbook.
The district requires employees to be trained on suicide prevention measures every year before school starts as well.


https://docs.google.com/viewerng/viewer?url=https://www.shermanisd.net//cms/lib/TX02215369/Centricity/Domain/25/2022-23+Sherman+ISD+Handbook.pdf
]]> 2022-09-30 00:13:03 UTC https://padlet.com/stollison1/fm0apmjnc1n38b8p/wish/2320214733 Slide #11 Ethical Principle stollison1 https://padlet.com/stollison1/fm0apmjnc1n38b8p/wish/2320232872 https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=7&ch=247&rl=2

    (B) Standard 3.2. The educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly treat a student or minor in a manner that adversely affects or endangers the learning, physical health, mental health, or safety of the student or minor.

As educators, it is our priority to keep students as safe as possible while in our care, and that includes their mental health. We should always treat our students with respect and be aware of their mental status daily.

Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators, 19. Tex. Admin. Code § 247.2



]]> 2022-09-30 00:30:23 UTC https://padlet.com/stollison1/fm0apmjnc1n38b8p/wish/2320232872 Slide #12 Personal Connection stollison1 https://padlet.com/stollison1/fm0apmjnc1n38b8p/wish/2320253349 Being able to apply the laws and ethical principles to the topic of student mental health was very helpful in seeing how each level of law works together and sends the same message about keeping students safe and our duties that go along with that. We are bound by law to protect our students' mental health and do what we can to prevent further issues. As a classroom teacher, I was acutely aware of my students' mental state each day as they entered my classroom. I knew I was the one that needed to take care of how they were feeling before they were able to learn. As a future principal, I see with going through the process of connecting laws and ethical principles to this topic, that it is of utmost importance and a requirement to guard our students' mental health. I have a burden for students that struggle with mental health and strive to be a light for them and someone they can count on to be consistent. I am grateful that there are laws and ethical principles that protect our students' mental health, as we have seen a major decline in students' well-being over the last few years.]]> 2022-09-30 00:47:27 UTC https://padlet.com/stollison1/fm0apmjnc1n38b8p/wish/2320253349 Slide #13 Recommendations/Best Practices for Compliance stollison1 https://padlet.com/stollison1/fm0apmjnc1n38b8p/wish/2320336085 * Youth Mental Health First Aid training
* Be familiar with district policies regarding mental health
* Be familiar with state ethical principles
* Be familiar with state mandates regarding mental health
* Effective and efficient communication with all pertinent personnel
* Keep in mind that students have rights and freedoms to mental health care]]> 2022-09-30 01:59:06 UTC https://padlet.com/stollison1/fm0apmjnc1n38b8p/wish/2320336085