To establish criteria for approval of youth suicide awareness and prevention training materials, requirements for the provision of approved training and administration of suicide risk assessments, and procedures for submitting compliance with the ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-4.0010:Continuing Education and Inservice Training Materials for Youth Suicide Awareness and Prevention and Criteria for Suicide Prevention Certified Schools

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: To establish criteria for approval of youth suicide awareness and prevention training materials, requirements for the provision of approved training and administration of suicide risk assessments, and procedures for submitting compliance with the Suicide Prevention Certified School criteria.

SUMMARY: This new rule addresses youth suicide awareness and prevention training and training materials for K12 instructional personnel and Suicide Prevention Certified School criteria.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: Based upon the nature of the changes, this proposed rule is not expected to have any adverse impact on economic growth, business competitiveness or any other factors listed in s. 120.541(2)(a), F.S., and will not require legislative ratification. No increase in regulatory costs are anticipated as a result of the rule changes.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 1001.02(2)(n), 1012.583(5), F.S.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1012.583, F.S.

A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: May 13, 2020, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Conference call 1(888)220-8451, confirmation code 697978.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Monica Verra-Tirado, Ed.D., Chief, Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400, [phone].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-4.0010 Continuing Education and Inservice Training Materials for Youth Suicide Awareness and Prevention and Criteria for Suicide Prevention Certified Schools.

(1)  Definitions.

(a) “Instructional personnel” means personnel as defined in section 1012.01(2), Florida Statutes.

(b) “School-based mental health services provider” means a school psychologist certified under Rule 6A-4.0311, F.A.C., a school social worker certified under Rule 6A-4.035, F.A.C, a school counselor certified under Rule 6A-4.0181, F.A.C., or a mental health professional licensed under Chapter 490 or 491, Florida Statutes, who is employed or contracted by a district to provide mental health services in schools.

(c) “Suicide risk assessment” means an assessment conducted by a school-based mental health services provider or other licensed mental health professional to determine the level of suicide risk and plan of action for a student expressing suicidal ideation or suicidal intent.

(2) Youth Suicide Awareness and Prevention for K-12 Instructional Personnel.

(a) Youth Suicide Awareness and Prevention materials must:

1. Address common suicide myths;

2. Identify suicide risk and protective factors;

3. Identify suicide warning signs;

4. Provide information on department-approved suicide risk assessments appropriate for use with a school-age population;

5. Include training on how to identify appropriate mental health services and how to refer youth and families to appropriate services.

(b) Youth Suicide Awareness and Prevention training must:

1. Be at least two (2) hours in length; and

2. Include an interactive component conducted by a school-based mental health services provider that addresses the following district or school-specific information:

a. Identification of school-based mental health services providers available to the school and community-based mental health providers;

b. District policies and procedures for responding to a student with suicidal ideation or suicidal intent;

c. District guidelines for informing parents of suicide risk; and

d. Information on how to refer youth and families for mental health services in the community.

(c) Department-approved youth suicide awareness and prevention training materials.

1. A list of approved youth suicide awareness and prevention training materials is posted on the Office of Safe Schools website at http://www.fldoe.org/safe-schools/.

2. A school district may request approval of district-developed or adopted youth suicide awareness and prevention training materials by completing the form, Review of Suicide Awareness Training: District-Adopted Materials, form number RSAT-2020 (DOS link) (effective, June 2020). This form is incorporated by reference. In order for district-developed or adopted youth suicide awareness and prevention training to be approved by the department, the training must meet the criteria in paragraphs (2)(a) and (b) above.

(3) Suicide Prevention Certified Schools.

(a) A Suicide Prevention Certified School must meet the following criteria:

1. All instructional personnel are required to complete two (2) hours of approved youth suicide awareness and prevention training, and repeat training every three (3) years; 

2. The requirement for all instructional personnel to complete youth suicide awareness and prevention training is included in the district’s continuing education or master inservice plan;

3. The school has at least two school-based mental health services providers that are qualified to conduct a suicide risk assessment using a department-approved screening instrument; and

4. The school or district has a policy requiring the use of an approved suicide risk assessment instrument administered by a school-based mental health services provider prior to requesting or initiating an involuntary examination due to concerns about a student’s suicide risk. A list of approved suicide screening instruments is posted on the Office of Safe Schools website at http://www.fldoe.org/safe-schools/.

(b) A school that meets the criteria for a “Suicide Prevention Certified School” must report the information listed in paragraph (3)(a) of this rule to the Department of Education by completing the Suicide Prevention Certified School form, SPCS-2020, (DOS link) (effective June 2020) and submitting the completed form to [e-mail] by October 1 of each school year. This form is incorporated by reference.

(c) The list of Suicide Prevention Certified Schools will be posted on the Office of Safe Schools website at http://www.fldoe.org/safe-schools/.

Rulemaking Authority 1012.583(5). Law Implemented 1012.583, FS. History New

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Jacob Oliva, Chancellor, Division of Public Schools.

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Richard Corcoran, Commissioner, Department of Education.

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: April 7, 2020

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: March 13, 2020