Hazel Health

Jeffco students’ physical and mental health needs must be met for them to learn effectively. Across the U.S., there are not enough professionally trained nurses and mental health providers to meet the needs.

Jeffco’s partnership with Hazel provides additional physical and mental services for families through telehealth and digital health tools.

Jeffco takes students’ digital privacy seriously and understands that health-related information is sensitive. Student data privacy was a key consideration while searching for a telehealth partner, negotiating the contract and implementing the system.

Hazel was chosen through a competitive process that included a technical review of their information security and privacy practices. Once chosen, Jeffco applied specific privacy-focused content to its contract with Hazel, holding them accountable for maintaining security and privacy practices required by the district and dictating data lifecycle and incident response terms.

Jeffco’s implementation of Hazel was focused on providing the minimal amount of student data necessary. The district implemented an opt-out process which is unique to Jeffco’s implementation of the system and ensures that no student or family information is entered into Hazel’s platform for families choosing to opt-out of the service.

Only the minimum amount of data to associate a student with their family is entered into the system for families that have not opted out. This basic information is necessary to create an eligible student roster, allowing families to access services for their students. Health information is entered into a system only after a referral is made and that information is governed by the industry standard healthcare framework, HIPAA.

All Hazel services are available only at home with a parent or legal guardian. Services include:

• Unlimited physical health services including assessment and treatment year-round from 7 a.m.–5 p.m. local time. You do not need to schedule an appointment. 
• Access to scheduled licensed mental health counselors to deliver the comprehensive HEART Protocol for students via phone or computer at home. Referrals can be made by school staff or families (see below).
• Access to follow-up and case management support for participating students, including:
  • Appointment scheduling for in-person services.
  • Assistance navigating the healthcare system or Medicaid.
  • Coordination for ongoing counseling or psychiatric support.
  • Coordination with existing school supports.

Services are accessed via multiple entry-points into care, including:

• On-demand physical health visits are initiated at home by the family.
• Mental health referrals from school staff, most often the school Social Emotional Learning Specialists, Counselors, School Psychologists or School Social Workers that families can work with from home with their student. 
• Request for mental health services from a family.
• Self-consent by students 18 or older, with school staff completing the referral.