6429 R&P

NARCOTICS, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, Controlled SUBSTANCES, CHEMICAL and drug Paraphernalia

6429 R&P

 6429.2A Procedural Steps

1.

On substantiating the offense, the student shall be suspended for ten (10) school days (five (5) school days for student on 4-by-4 block schedule) with a recommendation for long-term suspension.

2.

When the education and/or counseling program alternative is offered pursuant to 6429.2, the principal shall advise the student and parent/guardian that documentation of a signed, binding contract with an approved Alternative Counseling and/or Education (ACE) Program vendor must be submitted to the principal within four (4) school days.  If an alternative program option is not accepted by the student and/or parent/guardian, this decision shall be documented by the principal and normal due process procedures shall be followed.

3.

Should the student and parents’ choose a vendor not having prior approval to provide these alternative services, it shall be the responsibility of the student and parent/guardian to provide documentation that the chosen ACE Program provider meets the standards detailed in 6429.2B. A list of vendors that have requested and been granted approval system-wide is available from the student due process office.  All required documentation shall be submitted to the student due process officer within three (3) school days for review.  The documentation will be reviewed to determine if it fully satisfies the criteria established in 6429.2B prior to the end of the fifth (5^th) day of suspension.

4.

At the point that the principal receives verification the student and parent/guardian have contracted with an approved ACE Program, the long-term suspension action shall be deactivated. 

5.

A copy of the ACE Program contract shall be sent to the student due process officer and a copy retained at the school.

6.

If the student or parent/guardian should decide against the contracted program, fail to enter the program, or fail to meet all requirements of the program (including attendance, participation, abstinence from controlled substances, and financial responsibilities), the school shall be notified of this failure by the contracted program’s manager within five (5) school days, and the principal shall immediately reactivate the long-term suspension.

7.

Students who do not successfully complete an ACE Program approved by the student due process officer (in accordance with 6429.2B) shall have their long-term suspension immediately reactivated.

a.

Students whose 14-week interval permitted for ACE Program completion extends beyond the end of an academic year must meet these obligations prior to the beginning of the next school year.  Failure to do so shall result in the long-term suspension being reactivated for that next school year.

b.

Students who fail to satisfy the requirements of an approved program within 14 weeks shall:

(middle school students) be ineligible for promotion or placement to the next grade until the requirements of an approved ACE Program are satisfied.

(high school students) have that year’s/semester’s credits toward graduation withheld and shall be ineligible for graduation until the requirements of an approved ACE Program are satisfied.

8.

A copy of these procedures shall be given to the parent and student at the time of the suspension.

9.

Failure of an approved ACE Program provider to satisfy the criteria or the monitoring and notification requirements of this policy shall make that provider ineligible for continuing approval as an ACE Program provider for a period of not less than two (2) years.

6429.2B

Criteria for granting approval to an Alternative Counseling and/or Education Program (ACE Program).

1.

ACE Program Requirements

The individual who provides direct services to the student and parent/guardian must meet four (4) requirements. 

a.

Possess a four-year college degree in a human services field.

b.

Have two (2) years experience in the human services field.

c.

Be credentialed as a substance abuse counselor by the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Certification Practice Board (NCSAPP) (11-A Glenwood Avenue, P. O. Box 10126, Raleigh, NC 27603, 919-832-0975)

or

Be working toward substance abuse counselor certification registered by the NCSAPP Board and be providing services under the supervision of an individual who is certified by that board a certified clinical supervisor or a  clinical supervisor intern.

d.

Be or be supervised by an individual who is a psychiatrist who is American Medical Association board-certified and licensed to practice in the State of North Carolina  

or 

Be or be supervised by an individual who is a psychologist who possesses an earned doctorate in psychology and is fully licensed by the State of North Carolina.

2.

Required Ace Program Components

a.

A comprehensive individual and family assessment utilizing the Patient Placement Criteria for the Treatment of Psychoactive Substance Abuse Disorders (developed by the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers of the American Society of Addiction Medicine)

b.

An initial drug screen as part of the assessment and one (1) additional random drug screen during the course of treatment, each to be conducted by a laboratory certified by the National Institute of Drug Abuse

c.

A minimum of 12 contact hours for student and parent/guardian/responsible adult

Note: In a case of hardship when a parent/guardian is unable or unwilling to accompany the student, the parent may identify a responsible adult 21 years or older who may substitute for the parent/guardian.  The name and signature of the substitute shall be included in the contract and the substitute must fulfill the contractual obligations of the parent/guardian.

d.

Program to be completed within 18 14 weeks of the principal’s offer to the parent of the alternative under policy 6429.2

e.

Active Parenting^Ó training or equivalent parent education curriculum

f.

Education in the areas of

1.

The path of chemical dependency, including experimentation, use, heavy use, and addiction

2.

The signs, symptoms, and consequences of use of mind-altering substances

3.

The meaning of addiction

4.

Physical and psychological addition

5.

Alcohol and marijuana addictive drugs

6.

Refusal skills training

7.

The role of the family and the impact of chemical dependency on the family and on children in the family

g.

Adherence to R&P 6700.2, student returning from treatment

3.

ACE Program Monitoring/Reporting Requirements

The parent/guardian/student and the ACE Provider are responsible to the school system for maintaining appropriate records and for providing timely notification as follows:

a.

A written contract must be entered into, signed by the parent/guardian, the student, and the ACE Program provider, stipulating the provisions of the R&Ps of 6429.2, and must be submitted to the school’s principal within four (4) days of the student being cited in violation of board policy 6429.

b.

Written notification to the referring school of initiation and satisfactory completion of the ACE Program is the responsibility of the student and his/her parent/guardian.

c.

The ACE Program’s manager/provider must give verbal and written notification to the school within five (5) school days of any failure on the part of the parent/guardian or student to comply with the requirements of the contracted course of treatment.

Issued: July 12, 1995

Revised: May 2001

Revised: April 2003

Revised: May 2004

Revised: August 2007