HB1709
To Amend The Human Services Workers In The Schools Program; And To Include Mental Health Counselors In The Human Services Workers In The Schools Program.
Last Action (May 5, 2025): Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
Sponsors
AI-Generated Summary
House Bill 1709 amends existing Arkansas law to expand the current 'Human Services Workers in the Schools Program' to include mental health counselors. The bill renames the initiative to the 'Human Services Workers and Mental Health Counselors in the Schools Program' and outlines the educational requirements and service duties for both professional roles. It specifies that these professionals are to provide services such as crisis intervention, home visits, parent training, and student assessment within participating school districts. The program continues to prioritize schools with high percentages of students eligible for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program. Additionally, the bill mandates an annual evaluation of the program and preserves the right of students and parents to opt out of any recommended services.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries include students and families attending schools with high eligibility for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program, as they will have increased access to on-site mental health resources and family support services. Additionally, mental health counselors gain expanded employment opportunities within the educational sector, and school districts receive additional state-funded support to address the social, emotional, and psychological needs of their student population.
Who Might Suffer?
There are no groups explicitly harmed by the text of this bill; however, the state government and taxpayers may be impacted by the fiscal requirements associated with funding additional personnel in schools. Furthermore, administrative agencies like the Division of Children and Family Services and the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education will incur the burden of developing new prioritization criteria and conducting annual program evaluations.
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