1. Los Angeles Unified School District
Vision
Promoting meaningful opportunities for students in foster care
to achieve and maintain educational stability and academic success.
Foster Youth Achievement Program Consent for Services and Release / Exchange of Information Francisco Vasquez, LCSW Lead Counselor
Los Angeles Unified School District

2. Groups and Individual Counseling
Providing groups and individual counseling for our Foster Youth is a great way to provide targeted and intensive support. We will be discussing the following:
Consent Matrix for Foster Youth
Documents
Authorization / Permission from school site
Other Recommendations for providing group and individual counseling services

3. Consent Matrix for Serving Foster Youth 18 or Older
Who can consent for students 18 years of age and older? If the student is 18 years or older, student can consent and sign all documentation for all services (educational, mental health, or other services) .

4. Consent for Students Under 18
Mental Health Counseling:
Biological Parent
DCFS Social Worker, if court has authorized social worker to consent to treatment after finding parent is unavailable or unable to make treatment decisions
Student 12 and older that provider deems “mature enough” to participate. You must consult with your FYAP Lead Counselor and or Specialist prior to providing services under this criteria.

5. Consent for Students Under 18
Psychotropic Medications:
Court must approve medication requests submitted by treating doctor
Routine Medical/Dental Care (check-ups, immunizations, etc.):
Foster Parent (if living in foster care)
Biological Parent (if living at home)
Group Home (if living in residential placement)

6. Consent for Students Under 18
Field Trips, Sports, Extracurricular Activities:
Foster Parent (if living in foster care)
Biological Parent (if living at home)
Group Home (if living in residential placement)

7. Consent for Students Under 18
Media Release (permission to film or photograph)
Court approval required (foster youth status is considered confidential)
Out of Country Travel
Must obtain court approval (CSW recommendation required)

8. Individual and Group Counseling Documentation
Consent for Counseling (required)
Release / Exchange of Information
Group Counseling Curriculum (optional)
Letter to Caregiver Regarding Group (suggested)

9. Consent for Counseling
Please make sure document is completely filled out and signed by authorized individual prior to beginning individual or group counseling.

10. Release/ Exchange of Information
Document is utilized to have contact with outside agencies that work with students (Foster Family Agencies, Mental Health Agencies, Psychiatrist, …)
Make sure to have the release signed before sharing information with outside individuals/agencies

11. Foster Youth and Release of Information
Mental health care is confidential and cannot be disclosed unless:
The disclosure is to the DCFS Social Worker for purposes of coordinating a foster youth’s care and treatment. The Social Worker can re-disclose the information to other persons / agencies for the same purpose
The individual who consented for care signs the release

12. Foster Youth and Release of Information
If the court authorizes the DCFS Social Worker to make decisions about mental health care, then the CLC attorney would decide whether to sign the release on behalf of the child
Youth 12 and older who consented to their own care can sign release of information about care
The ERH does not have legal authority to disclose confidential mental health information.
The caregiver does not have this authority unless they are a legal guardian or in the process of adopting the child.

13. Parent Authorization for Release/ Exchange of Information
Place outside agency information here
Place your information here

14. Group Counseling Planning Sheet
The planning sheet will help you get organized in terms of topics and materials that are needed on a weekly basis.
This document can provide insight to schools and caregivers regarding topics you will be discussing by week.

15. Group Counseling Planning Sheet
A copy of the Group Counseling Planning Sheet will be available on the FYAP website

16. Communication to Caregivers
If providing individual or group counseling please be sure to make phone contact with authorized individual
Provide a letter indicating purpose, time and dates of group
Please be aware you may be asked how the student is doing in group or individual counseling by authorized individual

17. Permission from School Site for Group
If providing group counseling be sure to get permission either from Principal or Assistant Principal at school site
Provide principal with copy of letter that will be mailed out to caregivers
You can provide copy of curriculum that will be used

18. Other Recommendations
Consider collaboration with other school staff (PSA, Counselor, School Psychologist) to co-facilitate group
Consider mixed groups (FYAP and non-FYAP students)
Run groups at lunch in order to minimize use of instructional time

19. Thank you for all you do for our students!