Report 2019-125 Recommendation 3 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 #3 To: Education, Department of

To encourage LEAs to incorporate elements of suicide prevention training that provide teachers and staff with the knowledge necessary to assist students at risk of self-harm and suicide, Education should remind all LEAs of the statutorily required elements for suicide prevention training.

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; (3) encouraging the use of these resources; and (4) the statutorily required elements for suicide prevention training to provide teachers and staff with the knowledge necessary to assist students at risk of self-harm and suicide.

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

Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From October 2022

As previously stated, Education anticipated sending out the annual letter to LEAs by November 1, 2021, which included the announcement regarding the updated Model Suicide Prevention Policy (model policy). However, due to competing workload demands, the model policy release was delayed and is now expected to be available to LEAs by the end of 2022. Once the model policy is approved, Education will send out the annual letter to LEAs and include this information.

California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: No Action Taken

It is not clear why Education has not implemented this recommendation. This recommendation pertains to statutorily required elements for suicide prevention training, and thus there is no reason for the completion of a new model policy to delay the communication of requirements already established in law. Because such information could help ensure that teachers and staff have the appropriate training to assist students at risk of self-harm and suicide, we encourage Education to implement this recommendation immediately.

1-Year Agency Response

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: Pending

6-Month Agency Response

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 January 2021, Education will send all LEAs a reminder letter that includes information regarding the statutorily required elements for suicide prevention training as required by EC Section 215; future reminders will be sent in June each year 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.