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The Senate Select Committee on Violence in Schools & School Safety met on July 18 to hear invited and public testimony regarding interim charges related to mental health factors in connection with school violence.

This report is intended to give you an overview and highlight of the discussions on the various topics the committee took up. This report is not a verbatim transcript of the hearing; it is based upon what was audible or understandable to the observer and the desire to get details out as quickly as possible with few errors or omissions.

 

Examine the root cause of mass murder in schools including, but not limited to, risk factors such as mental health, substance use disorders, anger management, social isolation, the impact of high intensity media coverage — the so-called “glorification” of school shooters — to determine the effect on copycat shootings, and the desensitization to violence resulting from video games, music, film, and social media. Recommend strategies to early identify and intercept high-risk students, as well as strategies to promote healthy school culture, including character education and community support initiatives.

 

Andy Keller, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute

  • Reviewed presentation
  • Mental health is not one thing, it is many things with mild to moderate needs in the majority of cases
  • 20,000 youth at higher risk for violence
  • 900 youth 15X higher risk to committing homicide than their peers
  • Severe mental illness increases the chance for violence
  • Should focus on the 20,000 high risk youth and the 900 youth at 15X higher chance
  • Whitmire – how did you arrive at the numbers you are speaking of?
    • There are registries for other illnesses, but not for mental illness
    • Reliant on surveys and interviews to correlate information into estimates
    • Early psychosis studies show every year a small % of people have an instance of psychosis
    • The 20,000 umber comes from lawsuit study numbers in other states
    • These are best estimates
  • Huffman – very important to hear the numbers, to be clear the 900 kids, you are talking about severe psychotic disorders with a higher risk to commit violence?
    • That is correct with a highest risk of violence if untreated
    • Described the breakdown of the numbers as subsets within the 20,000 youth
  • Huffman – you are proposing to focus on the 20,000?
    • Correct, and that there is a need to discuss the various specific disorders included and to focus in on them
  • Majority of kids that commit these acts do not have outward signs of violence, etc.
  • Schwertner – discussed that there are other issues than mental health issues in relation to root cause of potential to commit murder, can you comment on the relative importance of the recommendation to treat the 900 students
    • There has to be multiple levels of treatment
    • The school needs to be in a position to identify first line – mental health first aid
    • Not enough to identify and detect, have to be able to do something to intervene
    • Need to have broad access to treatment that begins in primary care
    • Different levels of treatment for those who are at higher levels of potential violence
  • Schwertner – believe identifying would go a long way to preventing these situations
  • Lucio – those that have been involved in hurting or killing a person, what has been the result of the doctors that have been working with these individuals and what has been the reaction to what they did? And if we know that there are high risk students, what are we doing to follow and monitor those students to better address their needs?
    • Treatment typically takes at least 7 years after the psychosis
    • The majority of people that commit these acts have a mix of trauma and anger in their lives and we do not know how to treat that
    • No one person will have the expertise to treat every situation (school counselor)
  • Teachers need someone to act as a liaison to get people to the help they need
  • Supports the TWITR program as a strategy that is efficient and effective
  • Supports Child psychology access program legislation to better attend to the most high-risk youth
  • Should also employ multi-systemic therapy treatment which has been proven to reduce criminal behavior
  • West – the majority of youth receiving care are receiving it from primary care, that would assume they have insurance?
    • That includes alternative care as primary care
  • West – discussion of need for adequate counselors to intervene and identify students at high risk
  • Whitmire – discussion of access to mental health care without insurance, need to be realistic in terms of potential options
  • Whitmire – discussed the mental health diversion program and the release back into society after treatment
  • Need to address the 15-18 age group that are not able to access current programs
  • Huffman – we have to know why treatment is typically delayed for 7-8 years after onset of psychosis?
    • Unable to serve those under 18
    • Initial identification and parental responsibility/knowledge
    • Wait lists
  • Huffman – there are clearly more that one aspect to solving this issue
  • Taylor – you are referring to primary care physicians correct?
    • Correct, and they do have the capacity to identify while most do not have the time and tools to identify

 

Clifford Moy, Texas Medical Association

  • FBI studies indicate that the majority of those conducting mass shootings do not have diagnoses but do have stress indicators
  • Discussed bullying statistics in schools as well as other behavior related statistics (drugs, alcohol, sexual activity)
  • Suicide rates have increased in the last 10 years from 8.4% to 12%
  • Discussed stress related causes of depression
  • Not all stress is bad
  • Limited information related to mental health screening for youth
  • Texas Health Steps providing screening, across the state
  • Critical to get access for treatment and support once illness has been identified
  • Need to work with hospitals and schools to identify mental illness
  • Need to improve access to screening
  • Need to increase number of state supported psychiatric treatment beds
  • Need to work with Texas juvenile justice system
  • TMA is developing practices for better screening

 

Jeff Temple, UTMB Mental Health

  • Mental health is often looked at as the “boogie man” when in reality they are more likely to harm themselves or harmed by others than to cause harm
  • Should be focusing on student mental health and not specifically stopping a school shooting
  • Know what does not cause mass shootings
  • Need universal primary prevention through healthy relationship education in schools
  • Whitmire – what is an example of a course like this?
    • Teaching relationships skills in a similar way to teaching math or athletics
    • Teaches through practice roleplays in class
    • Intended to help prevent violence and adapt to stressors
  • Huffines – do you offer parenting courses for students?
    • Yes, this program and other programs do have that component
  • Huffines – If students do not get treatment, will they self-correct later in life?
    • Keller – many with minor symptoms are not coping as well as they could but most at very high risk will not self-correct
  • Huffines – What is the difference in society compared to the 70s that makes it more unsafe?
    • Moy – data collection has improved over time and things like suicide rates were present in the 70s.
    • Moy – discussed integrated care with primary care physicians and mental health specialists. Believes that if primary care physicians can send someone down the hallway to speak with a therapist/psychiatrist that we can resolve issues before they snowball.
    • Keller – Warns committee to take statistics with a grain of salt because these events happen so rarely. I.e. If a school shooting happens once in a year and then 3 times the next year, statistically speaking that is a 300% increase, which could be misleading.
    • Temple – You referenced urbanization, we all also know that in rural counties suicide rates increase. This has occurred in the past, but there has been an increase in social isolation. On a global scale, there has been an increased trajectory since Columbine.
  • Taylor – How does the copy cat effect work with this? How do we get a handle on this?
    • Temple – Must focus on primary prevention programs instead of looking at social media
  • Taylor – Likes the 4 R program for teaching positive behaviors, believes that we have some catching up to do
    • Keller – Agrees with prevention, wants to look at the alternative school model as well.
    • Temple – Taking ‘bad’ kids and putting them with other ‘bad’ kids makes them worse kids overall. It’s just not an effective model.
    • Moy – Lumping bad actors together is not beneficial.
  • Taylor – So you’re saying put them in a better environment?
    • Temple – Yes, we can’t always leave them in classrooms sometimes, but we shouldn’t use alternative schools as a dumping ground. We need to rehabilitate these students.
    • Moy – Compares it to incarcerating kids with mental illnesses, we fail to teach them pro-social behaviors.
  • West – whole purpose of the facilities is not to do the things you are talking about. Discussed scaling and funding the integrated programs spoke about before
  • West – related to recommendations from Dr. Moy, you encourage the state to offer guidance, what does that mean
    • Moy – We want the state to continue to focus on this and for the state to require and pay for the screening
  • West – TMA believes this is necessary and should prioritize this?
    • Moy – that is correct
  • West – do you know if there are enough qualified counselors to fill the recommendation made by TMA?
    • Moy – There are several options between independent contractors and fulltime counselors as part of the detection and prevention part of this
  • West – you do not believe that violent games and TV are associated with the school violence?
    • Temple – Likely not related to violence
    • Moy – Studies have not shown a correlation, but concerned about the overall effect of glamorizing or desensitizing children to violence; I do believe there is some effect, but not a 1:1 correlation
    • Keller – Agree that there is not a relation, but there are very good reasons to limit screen time. It’s more about social isolation than it is about the content of the video games.
  • Whitmire – related to unintended consequences, we are in a hurry to do something, what should we be concerned about as we move forward
    • Keller – need to be sure that that parents know that schools are safer now than they used to be in many regards
    • Temple – need to be sure that we are not marginalizing these students and to not point the finger at mental illness instead of helping solve the issue. Also concerned with the potential to over identify minority populations and put them into alternative education
    • Moy – the predictive ability to identify mass murder is very low, and should be focusing on the at-risk students
  • Lucio – Provides story about almost being run off the road by an unsafe driver, relates story to suggestive commercials which could be encouraging children
  • Taylor – is there a connection to lack of sleep?
    • Temple – There is research that shows a potential correlation and is certainly be worthwhile to consider
    • Keller – Noted that is a value of primary care interventions to help prevent general health issues like that
    • Moy – I do know that teenagers need more sleep that adults, and change in sleep patterns are markers for mental illness and schools need to be cognizant of the work load given to students

 

Teandra Gordon, Legacy Community Health

  • Highlights school based-health clinics co-located in schools created to eliminate barriers to health care
  • Staff is located on campus
  • Students are referred by administrative staff and others when a behavior is noticed
  • Intended to make healthcare a part of regular school process, helping to avoid stigma
  • Fosters a safe school environment
  • Recommends a grant program to fund health care professionals at schools
  • Believes this is a practical method to help solve this issue
  • Whitmire – how large is your coverage?
    • Currently at Kipp and Yes Prep schools
  • Whitmire – The program sounds great, however it is a very small sample of the Houston experience. I have inner city elementary schools that do not have councilors or nurses. Shares story about second grader who threatened to kill a teacher. Previous witnesses mentioned parental involvement, however many of these kids do not have parents. Noted there is an investment necessary to implement programs like this but do take insurance to help curb the cost
    • With our program, it does take an investment from the school district, the schools themselves, and from people at many levels to make it happen.
  • West – This committee was formed in response to school shootings. I know that we have to look at security in our schools, I thought the primary focus was issues concerning those kinds of activities.
  • West – Doesn’t want to see a system that profiles young kids that are not necessarily engaged in violence, but still need help. While still addressing those, who are most prone to engaging in school violence. How can we make certain that we are addressing school security with a focus in large part on stopping school shootings?
  • Taylor – It’s also school violence, references primary care and mental health services working together. Thinks it’ll help.
  • West – Wants to make certain that we are addressing as best possible the population of school shooters.
  • Taylor- Worried that with copycats we could see a bomb in schools
  • West – Concerned with kids going from a classroom to a program on campus that could be stigmatized
    • Gordon – No, one of the things our therapists engage in is activities to destigmatize mental health issues.

 

Stephanie Barbre, Texas Association of School Psychologists

  • Works in a small rural coop in the Lubbock area
  • Has worked with the TWITR Project
  • There is a general lack of understanding of what school psychologists do
  • Briefly described the role of school psychologists
  • Taylor – mentioned federal funding, is that how you are funded?
    • That is correct
  • Taylor- how do schools qualify for the federal funding?
    • State receives funding for special education that is then passed out to districts
  • Whitmire – discussed that she is in a very small set of school districts and noted that it would be difficult to get the funding to scale the program statewide
    • Serves 4,000 students
  • Whitmire – you travel from school to school?
    • That is correct. I do everything from my car.
  • Whitmire – Does the federal government pay you? How do you not know who pays you? What does the check say?
    • Barbre- The ISD pays me
  • Whitmire – How many active cases do you have? 10?
    • Far more than that. I go where I’m needed, I try to help as many possible. In years past I’ve had up to 27.
  • Taylor – do you think you are able to meet the needs of the population you serve?
    • No, cannot be at every school, every day to provide all of the services possible
    • Rely on counselors to meet the needs; caseloads are outrageous across the state
  • Lucio – when did you first start with the school kids in terms of the profession?
    • Relatively new field
  • Lucio – what is the current ratio?
    • 1 to 2,900 students
  • Lucio – noted that in order to address the need there will need to be more personnel
  • Taylor – discussion of awareness of presence in schools
  • Over 2 million students in Texas are identified as ‘at risk’
  • Creighton – mentioned working in rural areas, and that is where many of the violent incidents are occurring, can you give an example of a success story?
    • Described personal experience working with a student, how much of an impact she was able to have just because of the personal relationship she maintained
  • West – in terms of regional Education Service Centers (ESCs), could those be centers where we have psychologists available for campuses?
    • Believe that some ESCs already operate that way, but that is the desire and end goal
  • Discussion of sharing mental health resources between districts
  • West – do we know how many campus professionals are clinically trained, licensed professionals? Should ask TEA for that information, should also find out the training requirements and what they get paid
    • In October had 12,536 counselors, 1,933 school psychologists. Also have 4,108 diagnosticians which is different than a psychologist.
    • All 3 professions get paid relatively the same, roughly $56,000 a year
  • West – do we need to beef up the number of diagnosticians across the state that would then be able to refer to counselors or psychologists
    • Noted that diagnosticians do not specifically have medical background
    • It is easier for an ex-school teacher to become a diagnostician
  • Huffman – discussed diagnoses being given by those outside the education system and the efficacy of using those evaluations and reports to lessen the reliance on school psychologists and counselors?
    • Should but would be missing the teacher input portion of the evaluation
  • Discussed use of technology and social media trends in students
    • Leads to lack of sleep
  • Taylor – can you tell us about the TWITR program?
    • Have not referred to TWITR in about two years
    • Have two districts in the area that use it
    • Believes lack of use to be related to communication problem more than anything

 

Sharon Bay, Texas Counseling Association

  • Root cause seen is lack of teaching needed coping skills and early identification
  • Discussed the revised Texas school counseling model
    • system components include: guidance curriculum, responsive services, individual planning
  • Schools are not mandated to have counselors
  • Recommends getting better more reliable data on where counselors work through PEIMS
  • Recommends mandating school counselor duties
  • Recommends modifying continuing education to include comprehensive school counselling programs
  • Recommends additional funding through the ESSA program
  • West – what is ESSA?
    • Every Student Succeeds Act
  • West – we have a core of counselors right now that would not need additional training to conduct assessments?
    • Yes
  • West – how much do counselors get paid?
    • About $56,000 per year

 

Mor Regev, KIPP Spring Branch ISD, National Association of Social Workers

  • Only campus within KIPP that does not have the Legacy Program and believes that it could be replicated
  • Described what a school social worker does
  • Requests HB 743 from the 85th Session to codify what school social workers do
  • Whitmire – how many school social workers are there in spring branch?
    • Unknown but there is a very high ratio of social workers to students
  • Whitmire – how many in HISD?
    • There are a number in HISD, specifically at Stevens Elementary
  • Shares a story about a student who was sent to a DAP, and then placed back into her original school that needed a significant amount of one on one therapy (2 hours per day)
  • The amount of time and energy it takes to do the job requires additional staff in this role
  • Huffines – who is your immediate supervisor?
    • The principal
  • Huffines – do you relay these concerns to the principal?
    • I do and have a good working relationship with the principal but not all campuses are the same
  • Huffines – noted that the school boards have a lot of ability to define that position without being mandated by the state
  • Noted that restorative practices are a huge part of the solution
    • Restorative practices help students feel like they belong in the school community as opposed to isolating them

 

Iram Kazimi, UT Health Science Center at Houston

  • Would like to see more child psychologists and counselors within the community
  • We know from studies that we aren’t effective at being predictive of who will follow through with an act of violence
  • Know that there are certain risk factors that promote violent behaviors
    • Listed multiple factors (exposure to violence, use of drugs/alcohol, bullying, etc.)
  • Exposure to violence in the media does not directly increase violent behavior but it does increase the risk for aggressive thinking and attitudes
  • Difference between violence and aggressive behavior is important here. Violence is physical, intentional harm. Aggressive behavior could take form in disrespectful behavior, possibly pushing a peer
  • Whittemore – What can the legislature do to limit exposure to violent video machines?
    • Not specifically violent video games, if we focus on just the games then we are losing sight of the bigger issue.
  • Media has 3 short term effects
    • Priming – If I’m constantly exposed to a violent environment, I’m much more likely to have violent associations. I.E. If the violence of the video game is focused on a gun, that person is more likely to associate guns with violent behavior
    • Arousal – When you are exposed to this violence and you walk away from the game, you become desensitized to it. I.E. you might not care as much if you push someone and then walk off
    • Mimicking – If you spend hours a day playing video games, you are much more likely to have aggressive behaviors even in adulthood.
  • In reference to Huffines question earlier, kids watch media at a much younger age. The type of media they are exposed to has changed, kids experience multiple types of media. This changes decision making, and influences self-calming and self-soothing behaviors
  • By age 18, the average teenager who plays video games has seen or witnessed over a hundred thousand people killed
  • Studies have shown that students that are exposed to violent video games are 2.5x higher risk for aggressive behavior
  • Noted the difference between aggressive behavior and violence in terms of the testimony today
  • Multi-systemic therapy has been studied and is very effective for those who have already been identified as having violent behaviors, the goal is to get ahead of that curve
  • Discussed experiential priming and association with objects after playing violent video games
  • Studies have looked at mimicking in terms or acting out things they have experienced in video games
  • Need for teaching social skills before they become a problem which would be more effective and cost effective in the short terms and in the long run
  • Noted need for resilience training for students to better cope with inputs like violent video games

 

Michelle Sacks, Crime Stoppers of Houston

  • Described Crime Stoppers of Houston, 501-3c
  • Safe schools program started in 1997 as a hotline for middle and highschools and has evolved into a campus wide program
  • Described Be Nice mental health action plan
    • N- notice, I-invite, c-challenge, e-empowering students
    • Helps identify signs of suicide and depression, also identifies mental health red flags
  • Our tip line is the only anonymous tip line that is ensured through law, we also offer rewards of up to $5,000
  • 3 different ways to report
  • Close to 300 weapons have been removed before they could be used against students
  • Have reached over 1 million students through presentations at no charge to schools
  • tip line complies with updated David’s Law
  • Taylor – you could take this statewide?
    • Yes, already doing some of that through the video conferencing and the tipline
  • Taylor – how many people are currently working?
    • 15-20
  • West – there are other crime stoppers program across the state and would be able to coordinate with them?
    • Correct, 90% are requesting all of the Safe Schools Program
  • West – and that would cover the entire state?
    • That is correct
  • Huffman – you actually go into the schools?
    • That is correct, starting in Pre-K
    • Prefer smaller group at each time but will accommodate the school needs

 

Morgan Craven, Texas Appleseed

  • Described Texas Appleseed
  • TJJD reports show over 150% more terroristic threats or exhibition of firearms arrests in schools compared to same timeframe in 2017 – reaction after Parkland shooting
  • Represents that students are being sent to juvenile probation, especially African American students without actual threats
  • Need to have response that is proportional and should consider restorative practices, etc. and not putting them into a system that is harmful
  • The treat assessment for violence in schools was written by the secret service and an update was released 2 weeks ago
    • Recommends using law enforcement only for credible substantive threats and finding alternative actions for the others like restorative practices
  • Taylor – on the 1400 arrests, how many were prosecuted?
    • Unsure
  • Taylor – but not all of them?
    • There are many situations that a student would not go through that process
  • Taylor – this sounds like it was certainly a reaction and hopefully that number goes down as we get back to being more proactive again
  • West – what type of models have been created after the release of the Secret Service document?
    • There are a number of guidelines and programs that have been created across the country
    • Texas has a model which just recently offered it’s first training this past week

 

Lisa Descant, Communities in Schools of Houston

  • Evidence based model and infrastructure of CIS makes it an ideal model to be used across Texas
  • Heard feedback from school administrators across Texas; CIS supports for mental health are offered free of charge to schools
  • Strength-based approach is used as part of individualized plans
  • CIS is already providing for 5 of the Governor’s School Safety Plan initiatives
  • Discussed balance of support strategies with CIS and teachers
  • Listed CIS recommendations related to adding rehabilitative services into schools

 

Kyle Ward, Texas PTA

  • Discussed community impact of PTA
  • Already doing many of the potential solutions mentioned on other testimony today
  • Reviewed many initiatives PTA has implemented
  • Wants to be part of the solution for school safety by utilizing the PTA infrastructure
  • Hancock – were you here for the entire testimony today? And heard that school are safer today than they were 10 years ago?
    • Yes, and would like to know more about the data that led to that testimony
    • Majority of parents feel that schools are not as safe
  • Hancock – it is more important than ever to get the facts to parents
    • Agree very strongly
  • West – how much is spent on this area each year?
    • Not much money due to constant contact and social media
  • West – is there a way for the state to leverage additional federal dollars
  • Hancock – related to private insurance not paying, it depends on if the schools are billing for those service, but are looking into that
  • Lucio – discussed participation in PTA, and getting more parent participation in open house opportunities

 

Adrian Hudson, Houston ISD

  • Stressed need for more counselors; need to allow counselors to do their job and not overburden them with other responsibilities
  • Need to help students deal with trauma
  • Relayed multiple personal experiences with students

 

Spotlight on Public Testimony

Below is a spotlight on testimony presented. Many speakers criticized the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)/Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), others spoke to the detrimental effect of sleep deprivation causing frustrated children to act out.

 

Alice Linahan, Women on the Wall

  • School violence issues can be attributed to TEKS and ESSA adoption

 

Sarah Tay, Women on the Wall

  • Believes outcome-based systems are unconstitutional, wants to see a shift back to knowledge-based programs

 

Kate Spradlin, Women on the Wall

  • “Start with hello” program is promising, prevents social isolation
  • Advocates mindfulness and yoga in schools

 

Jennifer Martin, Women on the Wall

  • Does not believe mental health should be dealt with in schools
  • Medications are harming students

 

Yen Rabe, Teacher

  • Believes that school violence is caused by lack of sleep
  • Whitmire – Can’t they just go to bed earlier?
    • As a teacher I learn about the differences, when you’re young you can have a bed time of 8. During teenage years, hormones change, and they just don’t get the proper amount of sleep. Teen sleep is different from adult and young children sleep.
  • Whitmire – You should try the school board

 

Lacey and Trevor Hall, Self

  • Concerned about informed consent and the code of ethics in schools

 

Kimberly York, self

  • Shares story about kid who was bullied for 11 years
  • Entered school a happy kid, left school depressed
  • Claims that if not for a caring mother, her son would not be in college today
  • Schools permit bullying, teachers retaliated when York attempted to correct the problem
  • Special education department is problematic, children with special education needs are the ones hurting the most currently
  • School violence is largely because of bullying

 

Virginia Young, Self

  • Technology usage, lack of mobility and exercise, and psychotropic medications are to blame for school violence
  • SSRI’s, SNRI’s and ADD medications are not helpful
  • SSRI’s worsen depression, increase anger and rage, increases homicidal and suicidal thoughts
  • 68/70 of recent school shooters were prescribed SSRIs
  • Huffines – Give us some idea on perspective of treatment, why do you feel like we get on these medicine trains and what can we do about it?
    • Money primarily and it is what we are taught to do, CPS is currently labeling parents as non-compliant if they do not take these antidepressants
  • Warns about the danger of violent movies
  • Huffines – We have much more prescription drug use then we once did, we have less spiritual teachings in our schools, I believe we had a more peaceful society. I think we need to look at this.

 

Brian Hernandez, Self

  • Took a class about how to appropriately parent children and notice destructive behavior like isolation, violence and drug use
  • He now feels empowered to respond to bad behavior as a result of the course

 

Emma Trimble, President of Peace Ministries

  • The vital and missing link in all of this is the parents
  • Warns committee about classrooms full of children who are prescribed medications that could potentially cause danger
  • Everything that is being discussed here is incorporated into our ten-week program, I believe that our program has the answer
  • West – Do you work for Dallas ISD?
    • No
  • West – Do you work for any school districts?
    • No
  • Lucio – I believe that you are saying is the way to go, loving is the solution here. 52 years ago, I was 20 years old and I had a group of misdiagnosed students as EMRs (emotionally and mentally retarded) the only diagnosis they had was they couldn’t hear well, or they didn’t speak English. We need to adopt common sense approaches which will then lead to success stories.
  • My request is that you will consider investigating this program and consider funding it.

 

Darrel Kolbin, Self

  • The parent project is proactive, parents are the key to changing behavior through consistency and love
  • This program gives the participants the positive results they expect when using the tools diligently
  • Parents receive negative consequences if they do not use the tools

 

Lynn Davenport, Self

  • SEL needs to be addressed
  • We need smaller class sizes and more human connections as opposed to more online learning
  • Emphasizes importance of counselors focusing on administering tests and other tasks besides counselling vulnerable children
  • Huffines – The legislature is looking at special education funding, this will be changing going forward
  • Huffines – Students learn in a variety of different ways, visually or orally and oftentimes it isn’t targeted properly

 

David Carter, Self

  • Warns committee about dangers of over legislating this issue
  • Primary concerns are neurological issues, vaccine scheduling, pharmaceuticals, these are things that need to be balanced
  • You all have the red flags about what you need to look for

 

Meg Backage, Self

  • Mental health surveys for the entire state are not logical
  • Primary concern is that we are following the ESSA, which furthers the harm to our children
  • Parents must be the primary driving force here, and medications need to be administered with and only with parental consents
  • References pupil privacy rights act and the accompanying lawsuit in Pennsylvania
  • Highly suspect trying to align a child’s behavior with governmental standards
  • Fusion centers do not protect the privacy of our children or their families
  • Warns the committee not to data mine our students
  • Screen time is a direct correlation to violence due to the isolation
  • Huffines – I also question if fusion centers are constitutional

 

Adrian Gaspar, Disability Rights Texas

  • Urges committee to look at existing programs within schools, references Austin ISD’s VITA program that provides voluntary support for teachers and parents
  • Should consider strengthening preexisting programs, such as Texas Tech’s TWITR program
    • Concerns with TWITR programs; parental consent forms are not exhaustive and are too vague regarding parental rights
  • Lucio – How can we assure these mental health resources are more available?
    • I think it primarily comes down to funding. We have the money, 62 million in ESA funds for example. It’s important to us that these funds aren’t just funneled to harden schools, but instead to improve mental health services

 

Lee Spiller, Citizens Commission on Human Rights

  • Provided testimony on the negative impact of psychotropic medications as well as the lifelong stigma of labeling children with mental illnesses