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Parents are now required to consent for students at Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District (CFBISD) to receive physical or mental health services as a requirement to Senate Bill 12.
The district is asking all parents to complete consent for both physical health services and mental health services, two different acknowledgements, by Sept. 19.
Consent is required for students to receive “timely and equitable access to campus nursing and/or counseling services that promote safety, wellness and readiness to learn,” according to the district’s website. “Your immediate attention to this matter is appreciated.”
Parents must review and select the routine physical and mental health services selections and complete the consent acknowledgement form.
Without this form, schools are limited in what services they can provide students.
Texas law now requires written parental permission before students may receive routine physical health and mental health services provided by school nurses, counselors and social workers, athletic trainers or other certified health and mental health professionals.
Examples of physical health services include general first aid and evaluation, vision, hearing and scoliosis screenings, monitoring of chronic health conditions and administration of over-the-counter or scheduled prescription medications.
Examples of mental health services include short-term individual counseling or check-ins, social-emotional learning activities and group support, support during emotional distress or cris, behavioral observations and problem-solving strategies and referral to community providers, if needed.
Staff will act immediately in emergencies to protect students’ safety and contact parents as soon as possible.
Parent or guardian consent is not required for emergency medical treatment or heat illness prevention and injury support for student athletes.
For more information, visit the district’s website for more information.
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