1. (a) The superintendent of each facility shall establish a suicide prevention, assessment, and response policy that is consistent with the following elements:

   1. (1) Identification and screening based on a file review and a face-to-face interview with each ward upon intake at each reception center and clinic, institution, or camp.

   2. (2) Assessment and referral to include:

      1. (A) Referral of any potentially suicidal ward to the appropriate mental health professional.
      2. (B) Assessment of the ward's suicidal status at each progress case conference.
      3. (C) Immediate referral to the appropriate mental health professional for any ward who appears to need intervention.
   3. (3) Crisis management based on direct daily contact with wards and skills in observation and awareness of changes in mood or behavior.
   4. (4) Immediate intervention after direct visual evidence of a suicide attempt, a suicide threat, or indications of suicidal ideation.

   5. (5) Monitoring guidelines for actively suicidal wards to include:

      1. (A) Constant sight supervision by staff on a one-on-one basis unless video monitoring is available.
      2. (B) Personal and verbal contact at no more than 15 minute intervals with documentation of each 15 minute check.
      3. (C) A determination by the appropriate mental health professional of the level of housing, supervision, and programming necessary to effectively manage the crisis. The decision to remove a ward from suicide watch is to be made only by a designated psychiatrist or psychologist.

   6. (6) Training for all staff in the recognition of signs of suicidal ideation or intent and suicide prevention.

      1. (A) Orientation for all volunteers and others working with wards in the recognition of suicidal ideation or intent.
      2. (B) Annual training for mental health professionals designated as the primary caregiver for suicidal wards.
   7. (7) Standardized reporting and collection of data regarding suicide threats, gestures, and attempts with review by a Suicide Prevention and Review Committee at each institution and a Branch Committee.

Note: Authority cited: Section 1712, Welfare and Institutions Code. Reference: Sections 1001, 1002, 1004, 1752 and 1755.3, Welfare and Institutions Code.

History

1. Change without regulatory effect adopting article 4 (section 30690) and renumbering title 15, section 4744 to title 9, section 30690 filed 2-13-2020 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2020, No. 7).