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Can students self-consent for treatment?

Updated over 4 months ago

Daybreak Health refers to state guidance when determining if students can self-consent to treatment. Please see your state below for current guidance:

California

Youth ages 12 and over can self-consent to treatment.

Illinois

Youth ages 17 and over can self-consent to treatment.

Massachusetts

Youth ages 16 and over can self-consent to treatment.

New Mexico

Youth ages 14 and over can self-consent to treatment.

Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Texas, or Utah

No self-consent for treatment is permitted for youth under age 18.

Ohio and Oregon

Youth ages 14 and over can self-consent to treatment.

Washington

Youth ages 13 and over can self-consent to treatment.

Other scenarios - unaccompanied minor is also to self consent within consent age

Clinically, we aim to partner with parents/guardians throughout treatment and would recommend self-consent (if permitted in your state) if and only if involving a parent or caregiver would…

  • interfere with student’s ability to seek therapy

  • interfere with student’s ability to make clinical progress

  • be detrimental to the well-being of the student who is in need of therapeutic intervention

Daybreak's Self-Consent Process

If you determine based on state law and the guidelines above that a student should self-consent for therapy, this is the process we will follow:

1 - School Staff Indicates Self-Consent Option on the Referral Form

  • When completing the referral form, if the student is going to self-consent please select No in response to the question"Parent / Caregiver can be contacted by Daybreak Health?".

  • Then include the relevant context under "Special Consideration" so that the student's therapist is aware of the reason for the self-consent request.

  • Also, If the student does not have a phone number, do not put the parent’s number on the student section of the referral form, to prevent breach of privacy for the student.

2 - Daybreak Sends Student the Onboarding Packet to Complete

  • Daybreak will email the onboarding packet to the student

  • The student will provide consent for treatment and complete the Intake Questionnaire

3 - Daybreak Matches Student with Therapist

  • Daybreak will match the student with a therapist based on their Intake Questionnaire responses, or schedule a live intake session if more info is needed first.


    If you have additional questions about this option, please reach out to our care coordination team at carecoordinator@daybreakhealth.com

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