Final Forms UPDATE!
How you just waived your right to consent and notification
UPDATE: This may have been an oversight or final forms may have been updated. Regardless, on the student handbook signature page, there exists two contradictory statements. Above is the indicator that a parent and student received the handbook and below indicates that all policies, even those required to be optional under the law must be agreed to. I have now signed for my daughter as I have reached out to the district and made clear my objections with certain policies in the handbook. I have also made clear on record that my signature only indicates my receipt of the policies. Families that have not done the same and also have reservations regarding policies in the handbook should do so to eliminate any confusion later.
If final forms was updated, while not a complete solution, this was a step in the right direction and thank you.
Note “agree to abide by these policies and contents”.
Let me explain some polices and content you agreed to abide by.
Link: Southwest Licking School District Elementary Handbook Online
This is the elementary handbook, but the language is similar for all grades above elementary school.
Parents often assume that school counselors just talk about class planning or in elementary school talking about big feelings and handling emotions in order to get back into class and focus on classwork. In reality, academics are being set aside for individual and group outpatient therapy sessions without informed consent from parents and often times without a license and training to practice psychology.
“For students who also receive outside counseling services, parents and guardians may choose to sign a release of information to allow for collaboration between school counselors and outside professionals.”
This tells you that the district’s definition of counselling is pervasive enough to warrant laws regarding release of information. This can be understood to be a HIPPA waiver for mental health services. Counseling includes mental health services.
“School counseling is part of the regular educational services and is available to students without parent consent.”
Mental health services are part of the educational services offered without your consent.
“Confidentiality is maintained for students who receive school counseling support, unless there is a concern involving the student’s safety or the safety for someone else.”
Given the above statement about information releases, the school already knows about confidentiality. Laws on confidentiality and HIPPA do not prevent the disclosure of mental health information to parents and guardians. Your consent to the release of information is contained in the last line. This quote is here to inform YOU that the district will be under no obligation to inform YOU of outpatient mental health services provided to YOUR child. Note in the slideshow presented to the Kirkersville students that the counselor “keeps secrets!” and there is no indication that it doesn’t include keeping secrets from parents.
Further information.
By signing these final forms, you are waiving your rights to be notified and consent to mental healthcare services offered by the district for students enrolled K-12. This has been your PSA.