Require the DOE to provide: a full provider and service matrix of services which identity all available community and state resources; Hawaii Child and Adolescent System Service Principles; mental health services for students not deemed eligible for the Felix Class; interventions to correct present systemic problems that interfere with the smooth delivery of comprehensive student support services.(SD1)

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The Comprehensive Student Support System (CSSS) is the department of education's umbrella for ensuring a continuum of programs and services that support a school's academic, social, emotional, and physical environments so that all students learn and attain the Hawaii Contents and Performance Standards. The system operates at all school sites, providing a set of comprehensive programs and services that promote and facilitate healthy development and positive social growth, in addition to academic achievement. Student support includes supplementary instructional programs already in schools such as Gifted/Talented, English for Second Language Learners; Special Education and Title 1; specialized counseling and guidance activities; prevention and intervention programs such as the Comprehensive School Alienation Program and the Primary School Adjustment Project; school initiatives and partnerships; assessment and evaluation activities; staff development activities; and family and community support services. Student support also includes services from community agencies available to schools such as mental health services, individual and family therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, public health nursing, and health aides from the department of health; public financial assistance and case management of abused or neglected children from the department of human services and family court services. Support provided and the delivery process correspond to the severity, complexity, and frequency of each student's needs through a collaboration of department of education, department of health, and community programs.

Most students have adjustment needs that can be addressed informally involving the student, teacher, and/or parent and does not require a written plan, specialized assessment, or formal meeting. This basic support is provided to all students and is the first of five levels of support. The second level involves addition informal support through collaboration with teachers, school-level personnel, Behavior Management Resource Teachers, parents, students, and other agencies. Level three involves programs beyond the regular classroom often requiring programs targeting specific groups. Parents and family members, teachers, and other school and community personnel meet as a Student Support Team, and develop a formal action plan monitored to assure the students progress. Level four involves students who require specialized assessment or assistance. A Student Support Team is convened and may require a Form 1 and referral for Section 504, chapter 36 related services, community agency support, mental health services, and other compliance issues. Level five students and their families require intensive multi-agency support and may be placed in an off campus therapeutic and/or educational program. Many level four students and most level five students require referral for section 504, chapter 36 related services, and/or IDEA, chapter 56 related services, and/or Felix related services and other compliance issues.

The Comprehensive Student Support System (CSSS) was developed with the understanding that when school-based supports are provided in a timely and effective manner, fewer students will require more complex or intense services. It is based on teachers and parents requesting assistance at the level one and two stage and the system delivering prompt and appropriate services to the student.

The legislature finds that the Comprehensive Student Support System is a vital component to the early identification of special needs of students and the delivery of appropriate services. Because the system focuses on prevention and intervention it is also key to containing cost incurred when unmet needs add to the severity and complexity of problems faced by our students, their families and Hawaii's educators.

The purpose of this Act is to require the department of education to further develop the Comprehensive Student Support System to include:

SECTION 2. There is established the joint legislative taskforce for comprehensive student support, which shall be composed of members of the legislature. The president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives shall each appoint a co-chair and two members or more to the taskforce, one of whom shall be a member of the minority party.

The taskforce shall monitor, assess, and support:

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $          , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002, and the sum of $          , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003, to carry out the purposes of this Act. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education.

SECTION 4. If any provision of this Act, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of the Act, which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this Act are severable.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.