Florida School Toolkit for K-12 Educators to Prevent Suicide

6. Contact the Appropriate Individuals The initiator of the Baker Act should contact the receiving facility to inform them of the concerning behaviors that the student displayed and to ask the staff at the hospital or facility to ask the parent of the student to sign a release of information to allow the sharing of information with the school. Additionally, school staff members are encouraged to request the parent or legal guardian of the student to sign the district release of information form. The purpose of the release is to enhance communication with the hospital or community mental health facility involved in the treatment of a student and to coordinate effective services for the safety and wellbeing of the student upon their return to school. See Tool 20 . 7. Minimize visibility All measures should be designed to maximize the student’s privacy. The Baker Act initiation should take place in a low-traffic area. For example, the side or back of the building may be a low-traffic area where no one can see the transfer of the student to Baker Act care. Please also consider the school schedule to avoid times when students are in the hallway changing classes. The purpose is to reduce stigmatization and protect the privacy of the student. Florida S.T.E.P.S.