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New Mexico Register / Volume XXXIII, Issue 22 / November 29, 2022

TITLE 6 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

CHAPTER 63 SCHOOL PERSONNEL - LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR ANCILLARY AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL

PART 18 LICENSURE FOR SCHOOL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COUNSELORS, PRE K-12

6.63.18.1 ISSUING AGENCY: Public Education Department, hereinafter the department.

[6.63.18.1 NMAC – N, 11/29/2022]

6.63.18.2 SCOPE: Individuals seeking licensure in school behavioral health counseling.

[6.63.18.2 NMAC – N, 11/29/2022]

6.63.18.3 STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Sections 9-24-8, 22-2-1, 22-2-2, and 22-10A-17 NMSA 1978.

[6.63.18.3 NMAC – N, 11/29/2022]

6.63.18.4 DURATION: Permanent.

[6.63.18.4 NMAC – N, 11/29/2022]

6.63.18.5 EFFECTIVE DATE: November 29, 2022, unless a later date is cited at the end of a section.

[6.63.18.5 NMAC – N, 11/29/2022]

6.63.18.6 OBJECTIVE: This rule governs licensure in school behavioral health counseling in prekindergarten through 12th grade.

[6.63.18.6 NMAC – N, 11/29/2022]

6.63.18.7 DEFINITIONS: [RESERVED]

6.63.18.8 REQUIREMENTS: Individuals seeking licensure in school behavioral health counseling shall meet the requirements in Subsection A, B, C, D, or E of this section.

A. Hold a department-issued license for school counseling or rehabilitation counseling and be certified by the New Mexico counseling and therapy practice board as one of the following types of counselors:

(1) licensed professional counselor (LPC);

(2) licensed mental health counselor (LMHC);

(3) licensed professional clinical mental health counselor (LPCC).

B. Hold a department-issued license for school social workers.

C. Hold a department-issued license for school psychologists.

D. Hold a national certified counselor credential issued by the national board for certified counselors and be certified by the New Mexico counseling and therapy practice board as one of the following types of counselors:

(1) licensed professional counselor (LPC);

(2) licensed mental health counselor (LMHC);

(3) licensed professional clinical mental health counselor (LPCC).

E. Be certified by the New Mexico counseling and therapy practice board as one of the following types of therapists of counselors:

(1) licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT);

(2) licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselor;

(3) licensed professional art therapist (LPAT).

F. An individual who meets the requirements of Subsection A, B, C, D, or E of this section and who is seeking a level 2 school behavioral health counselor license shall provide, on a form acceptable to the department, evidence of experience working with children or adolescents in any state or foreign country or combination of other states or countries other than New Mexico for at least three full school years at any time preceding their application for licensure while holding at least one standard out-of-state or New Mexico teaching license or foreign country authorization to teach or combination of any of the aforementioned licenses or authorizations.

G. An individual who meets the requirements of Subsection A, B, C, D, or E of this section and who is seeking a level 3 school behavioral health counselor license shall provide, on a form acceptable to the department, evidence of experience working with children or adolescents in any state or foreign country or combination of other states or countries other than New Mexico for at least six full school years at any time preceding their application for licensure while holding at least one standard out-of-state or New Mexico teaching license or foreign country authorization to teach or combination of any of the aforementioned licenses or authorizations.

[6.63.18.8 NMAC – N, 11/29/2022]

6.63.18.9 SUPERVISION: Until the LPC or LMHC has acquired the official LPCC, LMFT, or LPAT license, the LPC or LMHC shall be supervised by a LPCC, LMFT, LPAT, licensed psychologist, licensed psychiatrist, or licensed independent social worker. It is the responsibility of the individual seeking supervision to ensure the supervision is acceptable for the level of licensure requested after the required supervision. The relationship between the supervisor and the applicant shall demonstrate that skill development and responsibility in delivering counseling or therapy services is being provided. During the tenure of the license, the licensee must provide confirmation of supervised hours signed by the supervisor and superintendent and their updated license issued by the New Mexico counseling therapy practice board.

[6.63.18.9 NMAC – N, 11/29/2022]

6.63.18.10 COMPETENCIES FOR SCHOOL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COUNSELORS: A school behavioral health counselor shall:

A. Demonstrate professional knowledge and skills in dealing with mental health as they relate to students’ functioning and achievement in school by:

(1) interpreting to school personnel the relationship between the student's social, emotional, or home problems and the student's behavior or academic performance;

(2) interpreting to school personnel the wide range of social, emotional, cultural, and economic differences among children, families, and communities;

(3) consulting with school personnel on current mental health practices and concepts;

(4) expanding knowledge through consultation with coordinators, specialists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and colleagues, as well as through reading, research, and course work; and

(5) keeping abreast of current community resources and determining how their services may be beneficial to the student, their family, and the family's involvement in the academic process.

B. Establish basic counseling management procedures for intervention by:

(1) opening a case as soon after referral as possible;

(2) prioritizing cases according to severity and seriousness of identified concerns;

(3) establishing routines for the assessment of case referrals;

(4) coordinating multidisciplinary efforts for the management of cases when appropriate;

(5) consulting with and assisting school and community personnel regarding case management; and

(6) participating in interdisciplinary team meetings relevant to the assessment and disposition of individual cases.

C. Structure the method of student intervention by appropriate planning and preparation by:

(1) investigating all relevant information regarding a referred case;

(2) consulting with school personnel, community agencies, or family members to assess the identified concerns;

(3) formulating individual goals and objectives for the management of each case; and

(4) consulting with another school behavioral health personnel, supervisor, psychologist, or psychiatrist regarding individual cases as needed.

D. Employ appropriate methods of practice that enable students and families to function adequately within their educational and community settings by:

(1) providing individual, group, and family counseling to students and families;

(2) providing intensive crisis intervention to remedy effects of abuse, neglect, adverse childhood events, or exploitation of children;

(3) identifying school district and community services appropriate to students' and families' needs, execute referrals, and provide follow-up; and

(4) serving as an advocate for parents to ensure that their wishes and concerns regarding their children are registered and considered by school personnel and agencies.

E. Demonstrate a professional and helpful demeanor in relationships with students, parents, and school personnel by:

(1) providing support and encouragement to students, parents, and staff in an atmosphere of mutual respect;

(2) developing a caring relationship with students and parents and showing consideration of their feelings;

(3) communicating openly with students and parents by listening and responding to their opinions and suggestions;

(4) promoting respect and positive interpersonal relationships among students and families;

(5) working cooperatively with fellow employees to develop and maintain effective interaction; and

(6) promoting free and easy communication between home and school.

F. Utilize appropriate methods to evaluate the student’s services by continuously:

(1) keeping a personal, confidential file on all cases;

(2) maintaining an up-to-date log, indicating types of referrals received, dates, and status of referral and referral sources; and

(3) assessing the effectiveness of any further need for behavioral health services.

G. Demonstrate knowledge of educational foundations, including:

(1) organization and operation of schools;

(2) the organization and administration of school counseling services, including record keeping; the social, philosophical, historical, and cultural issues in education; setting intervention programs and strategies; and

(3) the current identification, referral, and placement procedures for students with mental health issues.

H. Demonstrate knowledge of human development and psychopathology and associated biological, cultural, and social influences on human behavior.

I. Provide or contribute to prevention and intervention programs that promote the mental health and physical well-being of students; including, but not limited to, delivering individual and group counseling services to identified students.

J. Have knowledge and ability to conduct risk and threat assessments, interventions, and referrals as necessary for crisis intervention.

K. Understand the cultural context of relationships, issues, and trends in a multicultural and diverse society related to such factors as culture, ethnicity, nationality, age, gender, sexual orientation, mental and physical characteristics, education, family values, religious and spiritual beliefs, and socioeconomic status, and unique characteristics of individuals, couples, families, ethnic groups, and communities.

[6.63.18.10 NMAC – N, 11/29/2022]

6.63.18.11 CONTINUING SCHOOL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COUNSELOR LICENSURE:

A. An individual with a level one school behavioral health counselor license seeking a level two school behavioral health counselor license shall:

(1) have worked at level one licensure for three full school years;

(2) submit an application for continuing New Mexico licensure through the online licensure portal;

(3) submit a copy of a valid board license issued by the New Mexico counseling therapy practice board along with the online application for continuing New Mexico licensure; and

(4) submit verification that the applicant has satisfactorily demonstrated the competencies for school behavioral health counselor for the level and type of school behavioral health counselor license sought by the superintendent of the most current school in which the applicant is employed.

B. An individual with a level two school behavioral health counselor license seeking a level three school behavioral health counselor license shall:

(1) have worked at the level two licensure for three full school years;

(2) submit an application for continuing New Mexico licensure through the online licensure portal;

(3) submit a copy of a valid board license issued by the New Mexico counseling therapy practice board along with the online application for continuing New Mexico licensure; and

C. An individual with a level three school behavioral health counselor license continuing a level three school behavioral health counselor license shall:

(1) have worked at level three licensure for three full school years;

(2) submit an application for continuing New Mexico licensure through the online licensure portal;

(3) submit a copy of a valid board license issued by the New Mexico counseling therapy practice board along with the online application for continuing New Mexico licensure; and

[6.63.18.11 NMAC – N, 11/29/2022]

HISTORY OF 6.63.18 NMAC: [RESERVED]