SB 191 - This act requires every school district, in collaboration with the Office of Child Mental Health, to develop a policy of incorporating social and emotional development into the district's educational program. Each district must submit this policy to the Missouri State Board of Education by January 1, 2008. This act also requires the Missouri State Board of Education to develop and implement a plan to incorporate social and emotional development standards for the purpose of enhancing and measuring children's school readiness and ability to achieve academic success in time for the 2008-2009 school year. The plan shall be submitted to the Governor, General Assembly, and the Children's Services Commission by July 1, 2008. Thereafter, the Children's Services Commission shall receive annual reports from the State Board of Education on the implementation and effects of the plan so that the commission may issue recommendations for improvements to the plan created under this act to the General Assembly as needed.
This act also provides that the Department of Social Services shall require the screening and assessment of a child prior to any Medicaid-funded admission to an inpatient licensed hospital for psychiatric services. The screening and assessment shall include a determination of the appropriateness and availability of out-patient support services for necessary treatment. The department shall establish methods and standards of payment for the screening, assessment, and necessary alternative support services. The Department of Social Services shall attempt to secure federal financial participation to fund such screening and assessments to the extent allowable under federal law.
ADRIANE CROUSE