Thank you for your interest in Hill Country School Psychology Services Developmental and/or Speech and Language Screenings. Early identification of developmental and communication difficulties offers the most promising chances for improvement.
Explanation of Services
Licensed Specialists in School Psychology (LSSP) and Speech Language Pathologists (SLP) work with school staff to help students succeed academically, socially and emotionally. These professionals examine issues that may be contributing to student difficulties and work to find the best solution for each student and situation. Professional staff are credentialed by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists and State Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology to provide these services.
Reason for Request of Services
The student is being referred by school staff and/or parent for a screening due to developmental and/or speech and language concerns.
Nature and Purpose of Proposed Services
A screening will be completed. Parent and teacher input will be requested electronically. The evaluator will screen the student individually in one or more of the follow areas: speech, language and/or development. The evaluator will send a one to two page summary of the screening indicating if further evaluation is warranted.
Confidentiality
Licensees utilize business practices and provide services in a manner that safeguards the privacy and confidentiality of patients and clients. Licensees must inform their patients or clients about confidentiality and foreseeable limitations on confidentiality created by existing and reasonably foreseeable circumstances prior to the commencement of services as part of the informed consent process described in Board rule §465.11 of this title (relating to Informed Consent/Describing Psychological Services). Licensees keep patients and clients informed of all changes in circumstances affecting confidentiality as they arise. Licensees comply with Chapter 611 of the Texas Health and Safety Code and all other state and federal law applicable to patient/client confidentiality. Licensees disclose confidential information without the consent of a patient or client only in compliance with applicable state and federal law. Licensees who release confidential records relating to a patient or client that also contain confidential information relating to a second patient or client that the licensee obtained through the provision of services to that second individual, and who lack consent or other legal authority to disclose the second individual's identity and/or records, must remove all identifying and confidential information relating to the second individual before releasing the records. Licensees may share information for consultation purposes without a consent only to the extent necessary to achieve the purposes of the consultation. Licenses shall exclude information that could lead to the identification of the patient or client. Licensees shall not require a patient or client to waive a legal right to confidentiality as a condition of providing services. Licensees include in written and oral reports and consultations, only information germane to the purpose for which the communication is made.
Reference: Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists Act and Rules; Rule 465.12. Privacy and Confidentiality.
Maintenance, Control and Retention of Records
Licensees shall maintain records in a manner that protects the confidentiality of all services delivered by the licensee. Licensee are responsible for the contents of, as well as the access, retention, control, maintenance, and destruction of all records unless stated otherwise by law. Licensees shall make all reasonable efforts to protect against the misuse of any record. Licensees shall maintain control over records to the extent necessary to ensure compliance with all applicable state and federal laws. In situations where it becomes impossible for a licensee to maintain control over records as required by state or federal law, the licensee shall make all necessary arrangements for transfer of the licensee's records to another licensee who will ensure compliance with state and federal laws concerning records. The possession, access, retention, control, maintenance, and destruction of records of psychological services rendered by a licensee as an employee of or contractor for an agency or organization remain the responsibility of that agency or organization upon termination of the licensee's employment or contract unless otherwise required by state or federal law or legal agreement. Records shall be maintained and stored in a way that permits review and duplication. Licensees shall comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations concerning record retention. In the absence of applicable state and federal laws, rules and regulations, records and test data shall be maintained for a minimum of seven years after termination of services with the patient, client or subject of evaluation, or three years after a patient or subject of evaluation reaches the age of majority, whichever is greater. All records shall be maintained in a manner which permits timely retrieval and production.
Reference: Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists Act and Rules; Rule 465.22: Psychological Records, Test Data and Test Materials
In order to proceed with the request for services described, your consent is needed. Please complete the following form to indicate your consent for these services. If major changes in services are proposed, a new consent will be required.