Santa Rosa, CA asked in Education Law for California

Q: Do School administrators or School Psychologists have rights to give there numbers to special education students?

Do School administrators or School Psychologists have rights to give there numbers to special education students for metal health reasons and support reasons?

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1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: In California, school administrators and school psychologists are guided by both legal and ethical considerations when interacting with students, including those in special education. Generally, giving out personal contact information to students for mental health or support reasons isn't common practice and is usually not advised due to concerns about boundaries, privacy, and the professional nature of the relationship.

However, there might be exceptional circumstances where a school professional may determine that providing a way for a student to contact them outside of school hours is in the student's best interest. This decision would typically be made in consultation with other educational and mental health professionals and in accordance with district policies.

Schools often have specific protocols for how students in need of mental health support can access help. This usually involves contacting designated school staff during school hours or being referred to external support services.

If a parent or guardian has concerns about the communication methods between school staff and their child, they should feel empowered to discuss these concerns with the school. The school should be able to explain their policies and the measures they take to ensure student welfare and appropriate professional conduct.

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