Report 2019-125 Recommendation 2 Responses

Report 2019-125: Youth Suicide Prevention: Local Educational Agencies Lack the Resources and Policies Necessary to Effectively Address Rising Rates of Youth Suicide and Self‑Harm (Release Date: September 2020)

Recommendation #2 To: Education, Department of

To promote the adoption of the best practices that it has identified, Education should remind LEAs of the elements in its model policy. To do so, it should annually send a notice to all LEAs that describes suicide prevention resources, such as the model policy, and encourages their use. Education should also work with external organizations that maintain model policies, including the School Boards Association, to encourage the development of policies that are consistent with state law and best practices by no later than September 2021.

Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From October 2023

Education completed its review of the Model Youth Suicide Prevention Policy (policy) and posted the information on its website in July 2023. Additionally, Education announced the posting of the policy through the Mental Health Listserve that same month.

Education is now working on the notice to all LEAs, which will include: (1) suicide prevention resources; (2) the updated Model Youth Suicide Prevention Policy; and (3) encouraging the use of these resources.

California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Partially Implemented

We look forward to reviewing evidence that Education has notified all LEAs of the updated policy and availability of other suicide prevention resources. However, we note that Education has not addressed the portion of our recommendation that pertains to working with external organizations, including the School Boards Association, to encourage those organizations to align their model policies with state law and best practices.

Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From October 2022

As previously stated, the California School Boards Association released their sample policy and Education anticipated completing the review and making the Model Suicide Prevention Policy available to LEAs at the end of 2021. However, due to competing workload demands, the Model Suicide Prevention Policy release was delayed and is now expected to be available to LEAs by the end of 2022.

California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Pending

Education previously stated that it was collaborating with the School Boards Association, but it has not yet provided evidence that it has successfully completed any of the components of our recommendation.

1-Year Agency Response

Education and the California School Boards Association (CSBA) continued collaborating to align suicide prevention policies. CSBA has released their sample policy and Education is in the final stages of review; it is anticipated that the Model Suicide Prevention Policy will be available to LEAs by

November 1, 2021.

Also, Education previously anticipated sending the annual letter to LEAs in June 2021. However, due to additional workload and ongoing demands resulting from the COVID 19 pandemic, the letter will now be sent by November 1, 2021, and include an announcement regarding the updated model policy.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Partially Implemented

6-Month Agency Response

In a continuing effort to align policies and request inclusion of the same elements as Education's model suicide prevention policy, Education met with the California School Boards Association (CSBA) in February 2021.The CSBA has agreed to a collaboration with Education and additional meetings will be held to work on reviewing and updating their policies; it is anticipated that their newly aligned suicide prevention policy will be available to their members by September 2021.

Additionally, subject matter experts are continuing to review Education's revised suicide prevention model policy to ensure that it incorporates the necessary language, examples, and resources for LEAs that serve K-6 students and is inclusive of identifying students in need and providing support virtually.

Education previously anticipated sending the annual letter to LEAs in January. However, due to the increased workload and demands on Education staff and its partners resulting from the COVID 19 pandemic, a decision was made to send the letter in June 2021, after the model policy alignment is completed.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Pending

60-Day Agency Response

In an effort to align policies and request the inclusion of the same elements as Education's model suicide prevention policy, Education contacted the California School Boards Association and Trevor Project; a tentative date for an initial discussion is scheduled for December 2020.

Education is updating the existing Model Suicide Prevention Policy to ensure it is user friendly and includes best practices for suicide prevention during distance learning. Additionally, in response to Assembly Bill 1767, Education is incorporating language, examples, and resources for LEAs that serve K-6 students. In January 2021, a letter will be sent to LEAs reminding them of their responsibility to adopt, implement, and review their policies. The letter will also provide information on resources, best practices, programs, and trainings related to suicide prevention. Moving forward, Education will send out an annual reminder in June to allow LEAs the opportunity to begin working on their policies prior to the new school year.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending

All Recommendations in 2019-125

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.