What is the Student Assistance Program?
The Student Assistance Program (SAP) is composed of a group of specially trained school staff and community agency liaisons who work together to identify students who are experiencing school problems such as:
Divorce, seperation and step family issues;
Stressful situations and life pressures;
Death and grief issues;
Absence of coping skills due to poor communication;
Self image issues;
Establishing and maintaining friendships and getting along with others;
Alcohol and/or drug experimentation or use;
Depression or other mental health issues
It is the parents right to be involved in all phases of the Student Assistance process. The Student Assistance Program is designed to assist students and parents by making in-school resources available and providing information about community resources. The Student Assistance Program does not provide therapy or implement disciplinary consequences.
Who refers students to the SAP team?
ü Staff members who may notice a decline in school performance (attendance, grades, conduct) which may indicate that a student is experiencing difficulty. These behavior changes are reported on a SAP referral sheet.
ü Self referrals (students may refer themselves.) Students may seek information or help by filling out a referral sheet, or speaking to a SAP team member.
ü Peers who are concerned about a friend’s problems are encouraged to discuss these concerns with a SAP team member or fill out a referral sheet.
ü Family members are encouraged to communicate with the SAP team for information or assistance.
ü Community agencies and institutions (church, social services, criminal justice systems, and counseling agencies) deal with students and their families. Community referrals should be directed to the SAP team.
What happens to referrals?
Once the SAP team receives a referral a case manager is assigned. The case manager first calls the students parent to inform them of the referral and touch base. The case manager will also begin to send evaluation checklists to teachers and other staff the student may have contact with (nurse, counselor, assistant principal) to gather information on OBSERVABLE behavior the student may be demonstrating in class and other areas of school. This information is HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL and should not be discussed with other teachers.
Once the case manager receives the checklist back the information is reviewed at a SAP team meeting, and the best course of action is determined by the team. The case manager will then follow up with the parent to discuss what the teams recommendations are, and any permission slips which may be required are then signed.
Intervention would include an evaluation by a mental health counselor, or a drug and alcohol counselor. Alternatives to those might include, educational support groups, individual counseling, or referral to outside agencies.
SAP In Pennsylvania
SAP is mandated in the state of Pennsylvania.
SAP identifies issues, including drug and alcohol and mental health which may pose a barrier to learning.
SAP IS NOT A TREATMENT PROGRAM
It is the parents right to be involved in SAP and have full access to records.
SAP members must be trained and certified.
What is the schools responsibility?
The school is not responsible for resolving all problems.
If the problem is beyond the scope of the school, the team must inform the student’s parents about the problem.
The school must assist the parents with accessing available community resources to deal with the problem.
The school must support students with in-school services during and after treatment.