Fredericksburg City Public Schools is using the mental health support app Alongside this year. It has an AI component, but is not an open-ended social companion bot.
NOT one mention of HIPAA privacy and confidentiality rights of students and their parents. Were parents even sent an 'informed consent' document that had both options: opt in; opt out on the form?
Did the 'informed consent' form explain their rights and their children's rights under HIPAA?
Were parents who speak English as a Second Language given their rights in their preferred language?
Were the rights explained verbally in case parents have reduced literacy skills, limited readers in their preferred language, and/or have dyslexia?
Did FCPS ensure interpreters and translators are competent in both languages and have knowledge of any specialized terms?
Were these staff trained in the role and ethics of interpreting/translating, which goes beyond simply being bilingual? Thus, no translation by bilingual staff not trained (e.g., the bilingual classroom para) and definitely not using an older sibling to translate for the parents.
Since this is a pilot program/'experiment', were the parents given the 'Informed consent' form to conduct implementation of the pilot study?
Did the researchers obtain voluntary agreement in writing with signatures/date from parent participants to partake in a study after providing COMPREHENSIVE information about the study’s objectives, procedures, RISKS, benefits, and their rights?
Rights under HIPAA
Much of the responsibility for the law falls to medical and health care professionals, to PROTECT personal information. However, it is also important for parents with children enrolled in school systems who are in a 'pilot study' to UNDERSTAND THE LAW and what their rights are under the law.
When you understand your rights, you can advocate for yourself and your children. Here are some of the most important rights you have under HIPAA:
You have a right to access and get a copy of your electronic medical record. You put a request in writing. sign and date it, and wait 30 days or less.
You have the right to check and request that information on your record is changed if you believe it is incorrect or that something is missing.
Even if a medical institution disagrees with an error you found in your record, you have a right to have a notation made that indicates you believe there is a mistake.
You can send your electronic medical record to a third party, or have it sent for you.
There are valid and legal reasons for a doctor to share your health information, but you have a right to know when, how, and with whom it is shared.
You also have the right to indicate any specific information that you never want shared, even with other physicians or anonymously for public health records.
Family Educational Rights Privacy Act/FERPA and HIPAA are both federal laws that protect the privacy of sensitive information. However, they apply to different types of records and have different disclosure requirements. FERPA applies to student education records, while HIPAA applies to health information. Both laws have similar objectives of protecting privacy and confidentiality, but they have different rules regarding who can access the information and how it can be shared.
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) does not use the "Alongside" app for mental health. FCPS has partnered with Hazel Health for free, confidential teletherapy for HIGH -NOT MIDDLE -school students and uses other resources like its Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which offers a different mobile app-based program for staff.
High school students
Service: Free teletherapy through a partnership with Hazel Health.
Access: Students can receive therapy via live video sessions from home.
Privacy: The service is private and confidential and is compliant with HIPAA confidentiality and privacy standards.
Employees
Service: The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides a CCBT (Computerized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) program.
Access: This program is accessible via mobile app, tablet, or desktop.
Content: It includes a library of evidence-based content to help with issues like stress, worry, and low self-esteem.
Other resources
School-based services: The Fairfax County Community Services Board (CSB) has mental health specialists in some FCPS schools to provide in-person appointments during the school day.
School counselors: Students and families can discuss eligibility for services like the CSB's School-Based Teams or the free Short-Term Behavioral Health (STBH) counseling service with their school's social worker, counselor, or psychologist.
NOT one mention of HIPAA privacy and confidentiality rights of students and their parents. Were parents even sent an 'informed consent' document that had both options: opt in; opt out on the form?
Did the 'informed consent' form explain their rights and their children's rights under HIPAA?
Were parents who speak English as a Second Language given their rights in their preferred language?
Were the rights explained verbally in case parents have reduced literacy skills, limited readers in their preferred language, and/or have dyslexia?
Did FCPS ensure interpreters and translators are competent in both languages and have knowledge of any specialized terms?
Were these staff trained in the role and ethics of interpreting/translating, which goes beyond simply being bilingual? Thus, no translation by bilingual staff not trained (e.g., the bilingual classroom para) and definitely not using an older sibling to translate for the parents.
Since this is a pilot program/'experiment', were the parents given the 'Informed consent' form to conduct implementation of the pilot study?
Did the researchers obtain voluntary agreement in writing with signatures/date from parent participants to partake in a study after providing COMPREHENSIVE information about the study’s objectives, procedures, RISKS, benefits, and their rights?
Rights under HIPAA
Much of the responsibility for the law falls to medical and health care professionals, to PROTECT personal information. However, it is also important for parents with children enrolled in school systems who are in a 'pilot study' to UNDERSTAND THE LAW and what their rights are under the law.
When you understand your rights, you can advocate for yourself and your children. Here are some of the most important rights you have under HIPAA:
You have a right to access and get a copy of your electronic medical record. You put a request in writing. sign and date it, and wait 30 days or less.
You have the right to check and request that information on your record is changed if you believe it is incorrect or that something is missing.
Even if a medical institution disagrees with an error you found in your record, you have a right to have a notation made that indicates you believe there is a mistake.
You can send your electronic medical record to a third party, or have it sent for you.
There are valid and legal reasons for a doctor to share your health information, but you have a right to know when, how, and with whom it is shared.
You also have the right to indicate any specific information that you never want shared, even with other physicians or anonymously for public health records.
Family Educational Rights Privacy Act/FERPA and HIPAA are both federal laws that protect the privacy of sensitive information. However, they apply to different types of records and have different disclosure requirements. FERPA applies to student education records, while HIPAA applies to health information. Both laws have similar objectives of protecting privacy and confidentiality, but they have different rules regarding who can access the information and how it can be shared.
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) does not use the "Alongside" app for mental health. FCPS has partnered with Hazel Health for free, confidential teletherapy for HIGH -NOT MIDDLE -school students and uses other resources like its Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which offers a different mobile app-based program for staff.
High school students
Service: Free teletherapy through a partnership with Hazel Health.
Access: Students can receive therapy via live video sessions from home.
Privacy: The service is private and confidential and is compliant with HIPAA confidentiality and privacy standards.
Employees
Service: The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides a CCBT (Computerized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) program.
Access: This program is accessible via mobile app, tablet, or desktop.
Content: It includes a library of evidence-based content to help with issues like stress, worry, and low self-esteem.
Other resources
School-based services: The Fairfax County Community Services Board (CSB) has mental health specialists in some FCPS schools to provide in-person appointments during the school day.
School counselors: Students and families can discuss eligibility for services like the CSB's School-Based Teams or the free Short-Term Behavioral Health (STBH) counseling service with their school's social worker, counselor, or psychologist.
Geez, NOOOOOOO! Don't use Fred City Public Schools students as guinea pigs for this experiment with AI. Look to trusted sources. Look into the backgrounds of the people hawking this product. https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2025/06/got-emotional-wellness-app-it-may-be-doing-more-harm-than-good/