Implications of State Policy Changes on Mental Health Service Models for Students with Disabilities

For over 25 years, students with disabilities in California received educationally related mental health services through interagency collaboration between school districts and county mental health agencies. After a major change in state policy that eliminated state-mandated interagency collaboration, school districts in California are now solely responsible for providing all mental health services entitled to students with disabilities. This collective case study included three school districts, and examined mental health service provision immediately following the elimination of legally mandated coordination with county mental health professionals. Interviews were conducted with three district representatives from each of three school districts in California. Participant responses indicated confusion regarding the change in statutory regulations and disagreement surrounding assessment procedures and service providers. Implications for school districts as part of a system of care framework are discussed.