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Letters of Support

Minnesota School Social Workers Association MSSWA prepared an informative document to answer some common questions around school social work.

MN HOUSE Research Bill Summary H.F. 1175

Medical assistance coverage of school social work services

Authors Youakim and others

Analyst Sarah Sunderman

Date March 6, 2023

Summary

This bill amends section 256B.0625, subdivision 26, regarding medical assistance coverage for special education services. The bill specifies that, effective January 1, 2024, or upon federal approval, whichever is later, school social work services provided by a mental health practitioner or mental health professional are eligible for medical assistance payment, and outlines scope of practice requirements for mental health practitioners providing these services. A school social worker or school providing mental health services under this section would not need to be certified to provide children’s therapeutic services and supports.

The bill also allows a special education evaluation, individualized education program, or individual family service plan to be used to determine medical necessity and eligibility for school social work services instead of a diagnostic assessment, if the alternative evaluation or plan includes specified information. Finally, the bill lists covered services, including:

▪ administering and reporting standardized measures;

▪ care coordination;

▪ children's mental health crisis assistance, planning, and response services;

▪ children's mental health clinical care consultation;

▪ dialectical behavioral therapy for adolescents;

▪ direction of mental health behavioral aides;

▪ family psychoeducation;

▪ individual, family, and group psychotherapy;

▪ mental health behavioral aide services;

▪ skills training; and

▪ treatment plan development and review