R 141

2003 -- H 6307

Enacted 04/10/03

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH,

RETARDATION AND HOSPITALS TO ESTABLISH STANDARDS FOR STUDENT

ASSISTANCE COUNSELORS AND OTHER SUBSTANCE PREVENTION/INTERVENTION SPECIALISTS

Introduced By: Representatives Amaral, Savage, Ajello, Costantino, and Long

Date Introduced: April 10, 2003

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island’s schools must be safe, orderly, free from substance abuse,

creative learning environments that promote productivity and stimulate learning for all students;

and

     WHEREAS, Effective student assistance programs can reduce negative social behaviors,

such as violence and substance abuse, increase the ability of young people to cope with crisis, and

promote and support positive norms and values for students, school personnel and the

community; and

     WHEREAS, Well trained student assistance counselors and other prevention/intervention

specialists bridge the gap between prevention and treatment, empowering young people and the

community with the knowledge that productive and constructive help is available; now, therefore,

be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby urges the Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals

to develop and promulgate prevention/intervention program standards that will:

     Require student assistance counselors and other prevention/intervention specialists,

funded by the Department and delivering services to our communities, to be certified by the

Rhode Island Board for Certification of Chemical Dependency professionals within the first two

(2) years of employment; and

     Evaluate and establish comprehensive statewide rules for programs utilizing student

assistance counselors that includes the following statewide standard for the ratio of counselor to

students; when the number of students to counselors falls between 600 and 800, the counselor

will be assigned for at least three (3) days per week, and when the ratio of counselor to number of

students is greater than 800, a counselor will be assigned for five (5) days per week; and

     Establish minimum basic salary requirements for masters level clinicians in order to

attract and retain qualified and effective student assistance counselors; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he is hereby authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Governor Donald L. Carcieri and the Director

of the Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals.

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LC03036

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