OAR 309-027-0030: Communication Protocol

(1) Each LMHA, in collaboration with tribes and community partners, shall identify local pathways for information-sharing and shall establish a Communication Protocol to communicate across and within the LMHA and community partners, including tribes, to inform and mobilize postvention response. This includes both a protocol from the LMHA to youth-serving entities and from any public school district, public university listed in ORS 352.002, and private post-secondary institution of education to the LMHA in the event of a suspected youth suicide death. (2) Communication Protocols from the LMHA to youth-serving entities shall, at the minimum: (a) Identify the tribes, community partners, and youth-serving entities involved in developing and implementing the protocol; (b) Identify the specific roles and responsibilities of the LMHA, community partners, and youth-serving entities for implementing the protocol; (c) Identify how a Communication Lead will be identified for responding to each suspected youth suicide. The Communication Lead may vary among incidents, depending on the nature of the death, location of the death, age of the decedent, or other factors. The Communication Lead may be an individual designated by a tribe, school district or university, the LMHA, another facility, or another community partner. The Communication Lead is responsible for centralizing information-sharing activities in the event of a suspected youth suicide; (d) Detail the communication-sharing process among community partners, including tribes; and (e) Identify the process for determining the specific information and data that will be communicated from the LMHA via the Communication Lead to all relevant youth-serving entities or individuals. This may vary based on the specific circumstances of the youth suicide death, but must include: (A) The name of the decedent; (B) The birthdate of the decedent; (C) The date of death of the decedent; (D) Any other information that the local mental health authority determines is necessary to preserve the public health and that is not otherwise protected from public disclosure by state or federal law. (3) The LMHA shall document the completed Communication Protocol in writing and submit to the Coordinator within 120 days of the effective date of these rules, and annually on or before December 15th. (4) At least annually on or before December 15th, each LMHA, in collaboration with community partners, shall review the Communication Protocol and evaluate the protocol’s effectiveness over the past year, and provide a rationale for all revisions to the Coordinator. The Communication Protocol shall be updated and provided to the Coordinator within two weeks of a change of LMHA staff named in the protocol. (5) The Coordinator shall: (a) Review the communication protocols submitted by the LMHAs; (b) Review any revisions to the communication protocols as submitted annually; and (c) Provide feedback to the LMHA, including information on best practices, and offer technical assistance for preparation and implementation of the protocols. (6) Communication Protocols from any public school district, public university listed in ORS 352.002, or private post-secondary institution of education to LMHAs shall, at the minimum: (a) Identify the staff member responsible for notifying the LMHA of a suspected suicide death; (b) Include the following information in the notification: (A) The date of the death, or approximate date if not known; (B) That the suspected manner of death is suicide; and (C) A name, phone number, and email address for the school representative. (c) No requirement of this section requires disclosure of information that is protected by state or federal public disclosure law.