Florida School Toolkit for K-12 Educators to Prevent Suicide

With the passing of Senate Bill 7030, schools are now required to conduct a suicide screening before the Baker Act for voluntary or involuntary hospitalization can be implemented. SMHPs are encouraged to monitor future legislation, which is considering allowing school psychologists to initiate the Baker Act. Florida schools have different policies surrounding the Baker Act. Florida schools are strongly encouraged to conduct at least an annual teammeeting with key personnel to review practices and issues with previous uses of the Baker Act. The Florida Department of Education is aware of the high number of Baker Act initiations by schools and had a task force that addressed the issue. There are key elements and best practices all school personnel are encouraged to know concerning the Baker Act which are summarized on this tool. Additionally, it is important to note that every Florida school district in the summer of 2019 had school personnel trained by Dewey Cornell and Scott Poland on assessing threats of violence towards self or others. The school personnel in attendance were strongly encouraged to return to their school districts, review important policies and procedures, and provide training. For more information on the Baker Act, visit myflfamilies.com/service-programs/samh/crisis -services/baker-act.shtml. What is the Baker Act? The Baker Act is a state law that allows for the involuntary and voluntary placement of an individual in a psychiatric facility or hospital for observation and a psychiatric evaluation. 1. T he Baker Act Process is considered to be a last resort for treatment. 2. T he Baker Act is applicable only to children who display a “mental illness” as defined in Florida Statutes and who refuse voluntary examination or admission to a mental health facility. F.S. 394.455 (18) states “mentally ill” means an impairment of the mental or emotional processes that exercise conscious control of one’s actions or of the ability to perceive or understand reality, which impairment substantially interferes with the person’s ability to meet the ordinary demands of living. For the purpose of this part, the term does not include a developmental disability as defined in Chapter 393, intoxication, or conditions manifested only by antisocial behavior or substance abuse impairment. 3. T he Baker Act procedure must not be considered or implemented as a regular school behavioral intervention such as “time out” or “isolation.” Neither may it be used for removing the child from the school campus for disciplinary reasons. This civil procedure is intended to protect the child from harm to himself or others, and to obtain emergency mental health treatment. Tool 30 Understanding the Florida Baker Act 107