Report 2019-125 Recommendation 16 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 #16 To: Kern High School District

To ensure that their teachers and staff have the knowledge necessary to identify and assist students at risk of self-harm and suicide, the six LEAs we reviewed should do the following:

- Revise their suicide prevention training materials by June 2021 to align with state law and incorporate the best practices in Education's model policy.

-LEAs that provide suicide prevention training should conduct it at the beginning of the school year.

1-Year Agency Response

The suicide prevention training was updated according to specifications and staff is required to complete training within 30 days of either the beginning of the school year or their employment date. Mental health services available at school sites, as well as, the process for staff to refer students in need of services are reviewed annually and staff can access the referral form by visiting their school webpage.

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

Kern High School District's updated suicide prevention training materials now align with state law and incorporate the best practices in Education's model policy. This training was required at the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year.

6-Month Agency Response

Kern High School District did not submit a response for this recommendation.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: No Action Taken

60-Day Agency Response

At the recommendation of the auditors, the Kern High School District has included supplemental training resources for all staff training in suicide prevention that includes: Community Resources, and Suicide Trend Data.

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

Kern High School District updated its suicide prevention training to identify community-based mental health services. In addition, it provided information on self-harm and suicide trends within the State. However, it did not include information on school-based mental health services and when and how to refer those services. Until it does so, teachers and staff may not know where to refer students in crisis. Further, it did not identify self-harm and suicide trends within its region, as Education recommends.

All Recommendations in 2019-125

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.