HD15 - Interim Report on Mental Health Screenings in Schools (HJR 586, 2015)


Executive Summary:
The 2015 General Assembly charged the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) with studying the benefits of offering voluntary mental health screenings to students in public elementary schools (see Appendix I for the full study resolution language). In the months since the session ended and the date of this report, DBHDS has reviewed and researched background information and convened a workgroup of experts to advise on mental health screenings in elementary schools. DBHDS has considered the charge of the General Assembly and developed a two-year study plan and implementation timeline. The following will be the focus of the study process.

(i) Review existing research on screening of elementary school children and whether there is an ideal year to administer such screenings,

(ii) Review available screening instruments that may be appropriate for elementary school children,

(iii) Recommend methods of notifying parents of the availability of screening and recommend procedures for seeking parental consent, and

(iv) Consider what in-school and other services may be available for children whose screening indicates a need for follow-up.