Outline of the state of Iowa
State
Iowa
Encouraged

Category
School-based or School-linked Mental Health Services

Category
School-based or School-linked Mental Health Services

State law encourages districts to establish school-based or school-linked mental health promotion and intervention programs.

AWARE Iowa School Mental Health Framework

Report detailing mental health and trauma informed care training, and administration in the state of Iowa public schools.

Policy Type
Non-codified

Iowa Administrative Code 281-66.1 Scope, purpose and general principles.

66.1(1) Scope. These rules apply to the provision of school-based youth services authorized in Iowa Code section 279.51(3) as amended by 1994 Iowa Acts, Senate File 2330, sections 47 to 49 and 60.

66.1(2) Purpose. The purpose of the school-based youth services education program is to enable children and youth, especially those with problems, to complete their education and to obtain skills that lead to employment, additional education, and to a mentally and physically healthy life.

66.1(3) General principles. School-based youth services programs (SBYSP), at a minimum, may be made available at the elementary school, middle school or high school level, to offer career development services, mental health and family counseling services and preventive and primary health care services in the context of the educational needs of the students. Only school districts or consortiums of districts in cooperation with other service providers may apply for funds to support such programs. The management of the programs may be by a school district or school district consortium or by a nonprofit service organization. All programs must be provided in or near schools to make services accessible to children and youth. Moreover, all programs must be designed for implementation over no less than a four-year period. The inclusion of abortion counseling or the dispensing of contraceptives with these programs is prohibited by Iowa Code section 279.51(3). Budgets for proposed programs will be funded by the state to a maximum of $ 200,000 per year. Local contributions of at least 20 percent of the total costs of the program are required.

Policy Type
Regulation

Iowa Administrative Code 281-66.2 Definitions.

For the purpose of this chapter the following definitions apply.

"Children" means those enrolled in any of grades kindergarten through five or those aged five through ten.

"Consortium" means an alliance of two or more school districts.

"Contributions" means in-kind services plus gifts and cash donations from private and public sources that are directed at establishing and maintaining the youth services program.

"In-kind services" means existing person-power, equipment, facilities, materials, tools, and other local resources owned or maintained by a school district or consortium of districts, other service providers, nonprofit service organizations or local private organizations that contribute to carrying out the goals of the youth services program.

"In-school support services" means services provided by the district, area education agency or other education agencies in a contractual arrangement with the school district. These services may include, but are not limited to, speech and language, psychology, social work, school nurse, audiology, academic assistance, individual counseling, occupational therapy, physical therapy and food service.

"Job training and employment services" means preparing and assisting students to enter employment on a competitive or noncompetitive basis including, but not limited to, assessment and exploration of skills, abilities and aptitudes for work; support services to access available vocational classes; work experiences; on-the-job training; assistance in locating and securing employment and follow-up services to ensure continuation in employment.

"Mental health and family counseling" means evaluation and diagnostic services, the development of individual treatment plans, individual and group guidance in and outside the home, parent education on parenting skills, and referral to other legitimate services identified through evaluation, guidance services and training.

"Nonprofit service organization" means a public service organization conducted not for profit nor supported by public tax dollars including, but not limited to, recreational services, job services, human services, civic services, juvenile treatment services, and rehabilitation services.

"Other education agencies" means all in-state as well as out-of-state public or private education agencies not covered in the definition of "school district."

"Other service providers" means all public human and health service providers apart from education including, but not limited to, recreational services; employment services; civic services; juvenile treatment services; mental health services; maternal and child health services; woman, infant and child nutrition services; child health specialty clinic services and substance abuse prevention and treatment services.

"Preventive and primary health care services" means services which include, but are not limited to, physical examinations, immunizations, hearing and vision screening, preventive care, maintenance services, diagnosis, treatment, referral, case management, health supervision, and health teaching. These services shall be delivered by specifically credentialed providers such as licensed physicians, dentists, registered nurses, nutritionists, social workers, psychologists, dental hygienists, physical or occupational therapists, and respiratory therapists. Youth with complex health needs may require referral to specially trained and skilled health care providers.

"School-based youth services" means career development assistance; job training and employment services; human services, including mental health and family counseling; primary health care services; day care; transportation; recreation services; parenting education; rehabilitation services; mentoring; family involvement assistance; and other services designed to assist school-age children to be able to succeed in school and be productive citizens upon leaving school.

"School district" means an Iowa public school district directly supported in whole or in part by tax dollars as defined in Iowa Code section 280.2 and with the power and jurisdiction provided by Iowa Code section 274.1.

"Youth" means adolescents enrolled in school in any of grades 6 to 12 or those aged 11 to 21.

Policy Type
Regulation

Iowa Administrative Code 281-66.4 Program plan.

66.4(2) Identifying objectives. The following objectives shall be included in the program plan.

  • a. The establishment of a youth services education program located in or near an elementary school, middle school or high school that integrates multiple service providers with children or youth in need of services to assist them to succeed in education programs, to complete high school and be productive workers and contributors to the community.
  • b. Provisions for no less than the minimum education program as defined in Iowa Code section 256.11 and rule 281 -- 12.5(256).
  • c. Flexibility of the education program to accommodate other community-based services such as mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, and health care.
  • d. Career development activities including job training and employment services at the high school level.
  • e. Mental health and family counseling.
  • f. Family involvement activities.
  • g. Preventive and primary health care services.
  • h. Recreation services.
  • i. Mentoring.
  • j. Access to program including before and after school, weekend, and summer activity.
  • k. Personal skills development.
  • l. Other educational and noneducational services considered necessary to achieve the program plan.

66.4(3) Identification of the components and development of a schedule for the youth services program. At minimum, the following shall be included:

  • a. Description of the career development activities including job training and employment services; mental health and family counseling; family education and involvement services; preventive and primary health care services; recreation; mentoring; and personal skills development in the context of how these services and others will be provided in conjunction with the education program.
  • b. A schedule or timeline for the operation of the program taking into consideration day and evening accessibility, the number of days per week and the number of months per year the program will operate including 24-hour counseling services.
  • c. If applicable, descriptions of partnerships between public and private sectors to provide employment and training opportunities.

66.4(4) In-school support services. A description of in-school support services as defined in these rules and offered to students in the youth services program must be provided.

66.4(5) Parent and family involvement. A complete plan of parent-family involvement must be included and shall, at a minimum, contain:

  • a. The parent communication system to be used which may include letters, checklists, personal contacts by telephone and home visits.
  • b. In-service provisions for individual and group participation, which may include parent/family counseling, assistance at home, attendance in school affairs, parent training and volunteer assistance.
  • c. Involvement in the development of program goals, decision-making processes and the evaluation of program services.

66.4(6) Evaluation procedures to be used in monitoring program objectives and student outcomes. A system to monitor and report program implementation and outcomes shall be established...

Policy Type
Regulation

Iowa Administrative Code 281-66.6 Responsibilities of area education agencies.

Area education agencies shall assist school districts in developing program plans and budgets for school-based youth services programs. Assistance may include, but is not limited to, the following:

66.6(1) Providing person power to coordinate planning between districts and other service providers and in writing grants.

66.6(2) Gathering and providing information for completion of program plans.

66.6(3) Identifying staff development resources and organizing staff training.

66.6(4) Identifying resources for establishing at least a 20 percent local contribution.

66.6(5) Participating in the advisory council.

66.6(6) Helping develop and implement recording procedures for evaluation of data and analysis of results.

66.6(7) Providing in-school support services.

66.6(8) Assisting with implementation of nondiscrimination measures.

Policy Type
Regulation