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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
mental health professionals; school safety
Purpose
Expands the School Safety Program (Program) to support the costs of placing school mental health professionals on school campuses. Accelerates, from April 15 to February 15, the date by which a school district or charter school must submit a Program proposal to the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) to participate in the Program.
Background
The Program supports, promotes and enhances safe and effective learning environments for students by supporting the costs of placing school resource officers, juvenile probation officers, school counselors and school social workers on school campuses. A school district or charter school may apply to participate in the Program for up to three years by submitting a Program proposal to ADE by April 15. A school district or charter school that receives approval for a three-year program may annually submit a modified spending plan for the approved program.
A Program proposal submitted for supporting the costs of placing school counselors and school social workers, or both, on a school campus must contain a detailed description of the school safety needs and a plan for implementing a school guidance and counseling program. The plan for implementing the school guidance and counseling program must include: 1) a detailed description of the relationship between the school counselor or social worker and local community resources; 2) a plan for using school counselor and social worker services in the school; 3) a detailed description of the methods for evaluating the effectiveness of the school guidance and counseling plan; 4) policies on confidentiality under the school guidance and counseling plan; 5) policies on notifying parents and other family members of issues or concerns identified in the school guidance and counseling plan; and 6) a detailed description of the school's referral procedures to the appropriate community entities and state agencies.
A school guidance and counseling program means a counseling program that supports, promotes and enhances the academic, personal, social, emotional and career development of all students (A.R.S. § 15-154).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Expands the Program to support the costs of placing school mental health professionals on school campuses.
2. Defines school mental health professional as:
a) a professional educator who holds a valid school counselor certificate issued by ADE;
b) a professional educator who holds a valid school social worker certificate issued by ADE; or
c) a mental health professional who holds a valid school psychologist certificate issued by ADE.
3. Renames school guidance and counseling program as school mental health professionals program.
4. Applies, to a Program proposal for a school mental health professionals program, the requirements for a school district or charter school in submitting a Program proposal for a school guidance and counseling program.
5. Expedites, from April 15 to February 15, the date by which a school district or charter school must submit a program proposal to ADE to participate in the School Safety Program.
6. Makes technical changes.
7. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 22, 2024
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