Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024
A school behavioral health counselor shall:
A. Demonstrate professional knowledge and
skills in dealing with mental health as they relate to students' functioning
and achievement in school by:
(1) interpreting
to school personnel the relationship between the student's social, emotional,
or home problems and the student's behavior or academic performance;
(2) interpreting to school personnel the wide
range of social, emotional, cultural, and economic differences among children,
families, and communities;
(3)
consulting with school personnel on current mental health practices and
concepts;
(4) expanding knowledge
through consultation with coordinators, specialists, psychologists,
psychiatrists, and colleagues, as well as through reading, research, and course
work; and
(5) keeping abreast of
current community resources and determining how their services may be
beneficial to the student, their family, and the family's involvement in the
academic process.
B.
Establish basic counseling management procedures for intervention by:
(1) opening a case as soon after referral as
possible;
(2) prioritizing cases
according to severity and seriousness of identified concerns;
(3) establishing routines for the assessment
of case referrals;
(4) coordinating
multidisciplinary efforts for the management of cases when
appropriate;
(5) consulting with
and assisting school and community personnel regarding case management;
and
(6) participating in
interdisciplinary team meetings relevant to the assessment and disposition of
individual cases.
C.
Structure the method of student intervention by appropriate planning and
preparation by:
(1) investigating all relevant
information regarding a referred case;
(2) consulting with school personnel,
community agencies, or family members to assess the identified
concerns;
(3) formulating
individual goals and objectives for the management of each case; and
(4) consulting with another school behavioral
health personnel, supervisor, psychologist, or psychiatrist regarding
individual cases as needed.
D. Employ appropriate methods of practice
that enable students and families to function adequately within their
educational and community settings by:
(1)
providing individual, group, and family counseling to students and
families;
(2) providing intensive
crisis intervention to remedy effects of abuse, neglect, adverse childhood
events, or exploitation of children;
(3) identifying school district and community
services appropriate to students' and families' needs, execute referrals, and
provide follow-up; and
(4) serving
as an advocate for parents to ensure that their wishes and concerns regarding
their children are registered and considered by school personnel and
agencies.
E. Demonstrate
a professional and helpful demeanor in relationships with students, parents,
and school personnel by:
(1) providing support
and encouragement to students, parents, and staff in an atmosphere of mutual
respect;
(2) developing a caring
relationship with students and parents and showing consideration of their
feelings;
(3) communicating openly
with students and parents by listening and responding to their opinions and
suggestions;
(4) promoting respect
and positive interpersonal relationships among students and families;
(5) working cooperatively with fellow
employees to develop and maintain effective interaction; and
(6) promoting free and easy communication
between home and school.
F. Utilize appropriate methods to evaluate
the student's services by continuously:
(1)
keeping a personal, confidential file on all cases;
(2) maintaining an up-to-date log, indicating
types of referrals received, dates, and status of referral and referral
sources; and
(3) assessing the
effectiveness of any further need for behavioral health services.
G. Demonstrate knowledge of
educational foundations, including:
(1)
organization and operation of schools;
(2) the organization and administration of
school counseling services, including record keeping; the social,
philosophical, historical, and cultural issues in education; setting
intervention programs and strategies; and
(3) the current identification, referral, and
placement procedures for students with mental health issues.
H. Demonstrate knowledge of human
development and psychopathology and associated biological, cultural, and social
influences on human behavior.
I.
Provide or contribute to prevention and intervention programs that promote the
mental health and physical well-being of students; including, but not limited
to, delivering individual and group counseling services to identified
students.
J. Have knowledge and
ability to conduct risk and threat assessments, interventions, and referrals as
necessary for crisis intervention.
K. Understand the cultural context of
relationships, issues, and trends in a multicultural and diverse society
related to such factors as culture, ethnicity, nationality, age, gender, sexual
orientation, mental and physical characteristics, education, family values,
religious and spiritual beliefs, and socioeconomic status, and unique
characteristics of individuals, couples, families, ethnic groups, and
communities.
