Mental Health Map Flowchart
Acton Boxborough Regional School District
Staff Support Referral Guide
elementary Mental Health & SEL
Academic Year: 2026-2027
1
Teacher Decision Pathway
Safety Concerns
Student exhibits behaviors indicating immediate risk:
- Harm to self / Suicidal ideation
- Harm to others
- Suspected abuse or neglect
Immediate Direct Action
Notify Counselor, Psychologist, and or Admin immediately.
SEL & Behavior Change
Change in social-emotional skills, behavior and/or mental health.
Does student have an IEP with active counseling goals?
Yes No
Consult with School Psychologist
Inform School-Based Counselor
AND fill out CARES Referral Form
Targeted Skill Needs
Student requires explicit skill-building or academic-adjacent SEL:
- Identified skill deficits
- Tier 2 / 3 intervention needs
- Data-driven team decisions
Data-Driven Selection
Students are assigned to small groups led primarily by Building-Based Interventionist.
2
Role & responsibility Breakdown
School-Based Counselor
Gen Ed & Section 504
Primary Caseload
General Education students, students on 504 Plans, and students on IEPs without counseling services.
Student Delivery Model
Facilitates individual counseling, skill-based small groups, and leads/supports school-wide Tier 1 initiatives.
Classroom Support
Supports classroom teachers with core SEL lessons, curriculum delivery, and Tier 1 lesson alignment.
Liaison Duties
Acts as a primary liaison with outside agencies and families.
Manages & coordinates all 504 Plans. Caseload from CARES referral, IST referral and/or data team meetings.
Building-Based Interventionist
Targeted Skills & Data Groups
Primary Caseload
Students flagged during data meetings requiring structured Tier 2 SEL intervention.
Student Delivery Model
Primarily small intervention groups focused on tracking progress of CASEL-aligned skills.
Classroom Support
May provide push-in support or co-teach specialized SEL classroom lessons when time allows.
Liaison Duties
Consults and partners with families specifically regarding the skills taught and practiced during intervention cycles.
Groups are formed primarily from data team meetings.
School Psychologist
Special Ed & IEP Goals
Primary Caseload
Students with active IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) containing counseling, emotional, or social goals.
Student Delivery Model
Direct counseling, evaluation testing, and specialized consultation outlined specifically in the student's legal IEP. Also supports students/families, observes students, and consults with teachers for students not on IEP's through IST process and/or grade level or school-wide needs.
Classroom Support
Consults with classroom teachers on IEP goals and evaluations.
Liaison Duties
Acts as a primary liaison with outside agencies, and families on caseload.
IEP evaluation & IEP compliance.
Systemic Collaboration Protocol
All student safety concerns (harm to self, harm to others, abuse/neglect) will be managed collaboratively. The mental health team and administration works in unison to perform safety assessments, notify families, and document incidents.
