2145 – Suicide Prevention
The Northwest Educational Service District 189 (NWESD 189) Board of Directors recognizes that suicide is a leading cause of death among youth and that suicidal indicators such as substance abuse and violence are complex issues that should be taken seriously. While NWESD 189 staff may recognize potentially suicidal youth and the NWESD 189 can make an initial risk assessment, the NWESD 189 cannot provide in-depth mental health counseling. Instead, the board directs agency staff to refer students who exhibit suicidal behaviors to an appropriate service for further assessment and counseling.
NWESD 189 staff who have knowledge of a suicide threat must take the proper steps to support the student and to report this information to the NWESD 189 Cooperative Program Administrator or designee who will, in turn, notify the appropriate NWESD 189 officials, the student’s family, and appropriate resource services.
The board also recognizes the need for youth suicide prevention procedures. The NWESD 189 will adopt and, at the beginning of each school year, provide to all NWESD 189 staff a plan for recognizing, screening, referring, and responding to students in emotional or behavioral distress. At a minimum, the plan will:
- Identify training opportunities for staff on recognizing, screening, and referral of students in emotional or behavioral distress, including those who exhibit indicators of substance or sexual abuse, violence, or suicide;
- Describe how to utilize the expertise of NWESD 189 staff trained in the recognition, screening, and referral;
- Provide guidelines, based on staff expertise, for responding to suspicions, concerns, or warning signs of emotional or behavioral distress;
- Address development of partnerships with community organizations and agencies for referral of students to support services, to include development of at least one memorandum of understanding between the NWESD 189 and one such entity;
- Contain procedures for communication with parents and guardians, including notification requirements in accordance with RCW 28A.320.160;
- Describe how staff should respond to a crisis situation where a student is in imminent danger to himself or herself or others;
- Describe how the NWESD 189 will provide support to students and staff after an incident of violence, student suicide or allegations of sexual abuse of a student;
- Describe how staff should respond when allegations of sexual contact or abuse are made against a staff member, volunteer, parent, guardian, or family member of the student, including how staff should interact with parents, law enforcement, and child protective services;
- Describe how the NWESD 189 will provide certificated and classified staff training on the obligation to report physical abuse or sexual misconduct required under RCW 28A.400.317.
The superintendent will develop and implement the plan and a staff training schedule to achieve the board’s goals and objectives.
First Reading: 03/27/23
Second Reading: 04/24/23
Cross Reference:
3211 – Gender-Inclusive Programs
3207 – Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying
Legal References:
RCW 28A.410.226
RCW 28A.410.043
RCW 28A.310.1271
RCW 28A.320.127
Date Revised: 04/24/23