A new state law that requires parents to opt in before schools can provide many health-related services is already changing how quickly San Antonio students can get connected to licensed therapists on campus. Counselors and local nonprofits say missed consent forms and uneven rollouts across districts mean some students who actively seek help may end up waiting instead of talking to a professional that day.
School-based counselors are already embedded
Communities In Schools of San Antonio places professional site coordinators and licensed counselors inside local campuses to connect students with therapy, case management, and other wraparound services, according to Community Impact. The organization and local reporting say the on-campus model cuts through hurdles such as transportation, cost, and long private-practice waitlists, according to Communities In Schools of San Antonio.
Opt-in rule is slowing same-day referrals
Senate Bill 12 requires parents to opt in before a student receives any health-care service at school, with an exception for life‑threatening emergencies, per updated guidance from the Texas Education Agency. In practice, that means campus counselors must reach a parent before offering non‑crisis therapy or making a referral. If a parent cannot be contacted, the student may not receive help that same day.
San Antonio ISD told local reporters that roughly 71% of students are currently opted in. At Northside ISD, Dr. Kimberly Ridgley said, “SB 12 has created some confusion because it’s always been a practice to get parental consent or parent involvement in conversations about mental health,” as reported by KSAT.
How the school-based system helps
The system is designed for speed. A campus counselor can identify a student in need and, with parental permission, connect them to a licensed clinician who already works at the school, according to Communities In Schools of San Antonio. Jessica Weaver, the nonprofit’s CEO, has said the program removes barriers such as transportation and cost and helps families avoid long waitlists, as covered by Community Impact.
Legal and policy implications…