Telemental Health uses video conferencing technology (similar to Zoom or Teams) to allow a person to connect immediately to a qualified professional. Telemental Health in schools allows students to connect to a provider from home or at school. 

For at school sessions, once the parent/guardian consents for telemental health, the student will be scheduled for a telemental health session in a confidential room on campus with a mental health professional. For sessions conducted at home, the family will identify a confidential space in which to meet with the mental health professional. 

If parents/guardians are interested in telemental health services for their student, visit the LAUSD Telemental Health website under Telemental Health Parent Resources.  

Safety and confidentiality are a priority. Telemental Health is provided in a private room to ensure confidentiality between the mental health staff and the student and family. A parent or designated school-site staff member will be contacted via phone by the mental health staff in case the student receiving services needs to be further supported in emergency situations.

The current providers include Hazel Health, a national organization that specializes in telemental health services for at school and at home, and Daybreak Health, a national youth-focused organization that specializes in youth and family telemental health services for at home. 

No. The district is developing Telemental Health services as a way of expanding the existing catalog of mental health and wellness services.

There is no cost to LAUSD students or families to receive telemental health services. 

Daybreak Health and Hazel Health will attempt to match students with a language-appropriate therapist whenever possible. If native language is not available, the providers may utilize automated systems to communicate during the therapy session and parent interactions. 

For youth ages 5-12, Daybreak Health offers family sessions in which a parent/guardian and student are both present. Daybreak clinicians also offer consultative sessions between the parent/guardian and the clinician. The current partnership between LA Unified and Hazel Health is designed for K-12 students. 

For sessions occurring at school, crisis team members from the school site will be notified and will follow the indicated District policy. For sessions occurring at home, all telemental health providers will follow their organization's crisis protocol.