§ 16FF — Statewide program to assist in implementing behavior health services and supports in school districts

Section 16FF. (a) Subject to appropriation, the executive office of health and human services, in coordination with the department of elementary and secondary education, shall develop and implement a statewide program to assist in implementing behavioral health services and supports in each school district which shall include, but not be limited to, consultation, coaching and technical assistance.(b) The program shall provide web-based, in-person and remote supports to administrators, teachers and school behavioral health staff related to planning, administering and managing behavioral health promotion, prevention and intervention services and supports, including: (i) engagement of families and guardians, with a focus on ensuring equitable, linguistically-competent, culturally-competent and developmentally appropriate responses, and (ii) access to services.(c) The executive office, in consultation with the department of elementary and secondary education, shall establish a central base of operations within the University of Massachusetts, as well as regional sites, to carry out the program; provided, that there shall be a preference for existing locations providing similar services, such as the state center on child wellbeing and trauma within the University of Massachusetts medical school and the Behavioral Health Integrated Resources for Children Project within the University of Massachusetts at Boston.