Specifications include, but are not limited to: Mental and behavioral health services provided to DPS students in school should be based on the following principles and guidelines: • Services will be provided and supervised by a local (Durham County) mental health provider agency. • Family engagement and active family involvement is critical at the initiation and throughout the treatment process. Services will only be provided to students following the receipt of parental consent. Providers/agencies agree to follow the process proscribed by DPS regarding referral for services and to work with DPS to develop appropriate consent forms and information materials about services offered. • Services should be proactive and positive, building on the strengths of the student and families. • Service providers should show willingness to build strong alliances collaborating with Building Administrators, Student Services and Support staff, teachers and a MultiTiered System of Support Team. • Services must follow the mandate to be least intrusive, least restrictive and responsive to the individual needs of the child within the school setting. • All employees of the agency/provider shall agree to follow all DPS rules, regulations, procedures and Board policies when providing services to DPS students on school property. • Services should endorse the Durham System of Care principles of being child centered and family focused. • Providers/agencies will be responsible for billing, paperwork, necessary signatures to begin services, and for release of information. • Providers/agencies will also see all referred students who have no source of payment and preferably have a contract with Alliance BHC 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’ schedules.
