Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024
(a) The
superintendent of each facility shall establish a suicide prevention, assessment,
and response policy that is consistent with the following elements:
(1) Identification and screening based on a file
review and a face-to-face interview with each ward upon intake at each reception
center and clinic, institution, or camp.
(2) Assessment and referral to include:
(A) Referral of any potentially suicidal ward to
the appropriate mental health professional.
(B) Assessment of the ward's suicidal status at
each progress case conference.
(C)
Immediate referral to the appropriate mental health professional for any ward who
appears to need intervention.
(3) Crisis management based on direct daily
contact with wards and skills in observation and awareness of changes in mood or
behavior.
(4) Immediate intervention
after direct visual evidence of a suicide attempt, a suicide threat, or indications
of suicidal ideation.
(5) Monitoring
guidelines for actively suicidal wards to include:
(A) Constant sight supervision by staff on a
one-on-one basis unless video monitoring is available.
(B) Personal and verbal contact at no more than 15
minute intervals with documentation of each 15 minute check.
(C) A determination by the appropriate mental
health professional of the level of housing, supervision, and programming necessary
to effectively manage the crisis. The decision to remove a ward from suicide watch
is to be made only by a designated psychiatrist or psychologist.
(6) Training for all staff in the recognition of
signs of suicidal ideation or intent and suicide prevention.
(A) Orientation for all volunteers and others
working with wards in the recognition of suicidal ideation or intent.
(B) Annual training for mental health
professionals designated as the primary caregiver for suicidal
wards.
(7) Standardized
reporting and collection of data regarding suicide threats, gestures, and attempts
with review by a Suicide Prevention and Review Committee at each institution and a
Branch Committee.
1. Change without
regulatory effect adopting article 4 (section
30690) and renumbering title 15, section
4744 to title 9, section
30690 filed 2-13-2020 pursuant to
section 100, title 1, California Code of
Regulations (Register 2020, No. 7).
Note: Authority cited: Section
1712,
Welfare and Institutions Code. Reference: Sections
1001,
1002,
1004,
1752
and
1755.3,
Welfare and Institutions Code.
