Specifications include, but are not limited to: Mental and behavioral services provided to WCS students in school should be based on the following principles and guidelines: ● Services will be provided by licensed professionals (LCMHC/LCSW) who are supervised and capable of consulting other licensed professionals as needed. ● Family engagement and active involvement are critical in the initiation and treatment process. Services will only be provided to students younger than 18 years old following the receipt of parental/guardian consent. Students 18 years of age or older can provide consent to receive services without the consent of the parent/guardian. Providers/agencies agree to follow the process and protocol determined by WCS regarding referral for services and to work with WCS to develop appropriate consent forms and information materials about services offered. ● Services should be proactive and positive, building on the strengths of the students and families. ● Service providers should be willing to build effective collaborative processes with school administrators, student services, support staff, teachers, and other school staff. ● Services must follow the mandate to be least intrusive, least restrictive, and responsive to the child's needs within the school setting. ● Service providers will create Person-Centered Plans based on multiple pieces of data collected and share goals with school-building administrators, school counselors, and other staff who work with the child. ● All agency/provider employees shall agree to follow all WCS rules, regulations, procedures (including background checks and screening processes), and board policies when providing services to WCS students on school property. ● Providers/agencies will be responsible for billing, paperwork, necessary signatures to begin services, and for the release of information. ● Providers/agencies will see all referred students who have no payment source and preferably have a contract with Trillium to access IPRS (Integrated Payment & Reporting System) funding. Providers should be able to accept Medicaid/NC HealthChoice insurance and also be part of private insurance panels. No interested student or family member will be denied service for inability to pay. ● Services should be provided during regular school hours and after school hours on the school’s campus to accommodate parents’ and families’ schedules. ● Providers/agencies will be responsible for remaining accessible and continuing services to students during periods when school is not in session (winter, spring, and summer breaks). ● Service providers must work in close partnership with the Wilson County School System, the District Mental Health Coordinator, and school staff at the assigned location(s).
