Just because a child meets the target population criteria for children's mental health screening that does not mean that it is appropriate or possible to screen that child. These are a listing of the current available exemptions for children's mental health screening.
Click on each exemption to learn more.
- Screening has been performed within the previous 180 days.
- Diagnostic assessment has been performed within the previous 180 days.
- Child or youth is under the care of a mental health professional.
- Parent or legal guardian prevents the screening, in writing to the court or county agency.
- Unable to locate child.
- Case management closed within 30 days of opening.
- Receiving Children's Mental Health Case Management.
Youth has been screened at a child and teen check up, in a previous interaction with the court system or with public health on a DHS approved screening tool.
Youth has seen a licensed mental health professional and been appropriately diagnosed with a mental health disorder or it has been determined that s/he does not meet diagnostic criteria for a disorder.
A licensed mental health professional (LMHP), as defined by Minnesota Statute, section 245.4871, subdivision 27, includes licensed psychiatric nurses, licensed independent clinical social workers, licensed psychologists, licensed psychiatrists, and licensed marriage and family therapists.
Pediatricians prescribing psychotropic medications (including stimulants and anti-depressants) do not qualify as licensed mental health professionals.
After the court has ordered a children's mental health screen or when a worker is offering the children's mental health screen a parent may prevent the screening but should do so in writing. Children's mental health services are voluntary in nature.
This exemption is available if the youth is on run or for some other reason unavailable to be screened, obviously, once the youth is located, the children's mental health screen should be offered again.
In the case of both child protection services and probation, if a case is closed within 30 days of opening it may not have been feasible to do a children's mental health screen, therefore this exemption exists.
Children's Mental Health Case Management is a county based service described in Minnesota State Statutes section 245.4881. Youth must meet particular eligibility criteria, including having a Severe Emotional Disturbance. Please consult your local county provider for further information.