Concord High School

GAIN Short Screener – parent permission required

What is the rationale and benefits of the GAIN-SS screening?

Research has identified social and emotional factors as the most powerful influence over students’ academic achievement. To this end, schools and Student Assistance Program Coordinators (SAP-Cs) play a critical role in partnering with parents to promote positive mental health among students and proactively identify and respond to mental health challenges.  In recent years, many prominent professional organizations have underscored the importance of behavioral health screening to identify students who are at risk or in need of intervention early, ensure early provision of needed services, and prevent or reduce the need for more intensive services in the future. As utilized by the SAP-C, the GAIN-SS is an evidenced based screening tool that will provide consistency in quickly identifying students who need further support in a given area and provide ongoing monitoring of their situation.

How will the school obtain parent permission for students to be screened with the GAIN-SS?

Permission requests for students to participate in the GAIN-SS screening will be made at the beginning of the year. Only those students who are referred to SAP and have parental permission to participate will be screened. Parents who do not sign the release for their child to participate in the GAIN-SS at the beginning of the year and later change their mind can contact the SAP-C directly to provide permission.

How will students be identified, referred and selected to participate in the GAIN-SS screening?

Students routinely refer themselves or are referred to the Student Assistance Program (SAP) by parents, administrators, school staff, other students, or by outside resources such as police or mental health centers. Students are referred to SAP for a number of reasons including, absenteeism, poor academic progress, behavioral issues, mental health related issues, social concerns, and potential substance misuse. Upon referral, as part of the SAP intake process, the SAP-C will screen students with the GAIN-SS who have parental permission to participate. Students without parental permission or those who decline participating in the GAIN-SS screening are still eligible to receive SAP services if they so choose. The intake process is an opportunity to identify obstacles to students’ wellbeing as well as the protective factors which can support their personal growth.

Where will screenings take place?

All GAIN-SS screenings will take place in the SAP-C’s private designated office space. The screening is a paper version of the GAIN-SS.

What is the timeline for the GAIN-SS screening, specifically the time between intake, screening and referral?

Timelines for completion of the GAIN – SS may vary. Under most circumstances, the process can be completed within 10 business days. Extenuating circumstances such as a high volume of referrals received by the SAP-C in any given month, a high number of student crisis situations needing SAP-C attention, or hesitancy of the student to open up or trust the intake and screening process can impact the timeline between intake, screening, and referral, making it take longer.

What is the process by which a student is informed of the screening results?

Once the GAIN-SS screening tool is scored the SAP-C will reach out to the student to discuss the results and need for referral to school or community resources, if applicable.

What is the process by which students are referred for indicated services?

Students who score moderate to high on the GAIN-SS screening tool in any given area will be referred to applicable resources. Students may also be referred to school-based resources in response to needs expressed during the intake process such as special education, the school social worker, or other program/club within the school that may help to strengthen the students’ community engagement and sense of belonging.

What are the circumstances under which parents will be notified based on screening results?

Students who are referred to and elect to participate in SAP services, including the intake and screening process, are protected under 42CFR Part 2. SAP is considered a Part 2 program as it provides referral to alcohol and drug treatment. This means that what students share with the SAP-C is private and cannot be shared with anyone, including parents, without their permission. It should be noted that every effort is made by the SAP-C to initiate a release from students in order to communicate information with parents. Exceptions to confidentiality for students include violation of the district’s drug and alcohol policy, self-harm or threat of self-harm, threats to harm others, and child abuse or neglect. Under these circumstances, parents and selected staff members are notified immediately.

How will the results of the GAIN-SS screening be used to help support student wellbeing and school outcomes?

Once students have been assessed and referred or connected to the appropriate resources, the SAP-C will follow up to confirm that students have accessed the resources that were suggested to them. The SAP-C will inquire from students whether the recommended resources have been helpful and discuss options for different resources if the initial referral did not work out. The SAP will also check periodically to determine whether students’ needs have changed, and to help coordinate care over school breaks, if necessary.

What happens to the results of the GAIN-SS after the screening has been completed?

The results of the GAIN-SS are destroyed and never become part of a student’s school record. The screening tool is a paper version of the GAIN-SS and will be destroyed at the end of the school year. The SAP counselor is the only person who will administer and see the results.