Student Assistance Programs (SAP) provides a comprehensive model
for the delivery of K-12 prevention, intervention
and support services, primarily in the areas of substance
abuse and mental health. SAP attempts to intervene at the earliest stages
of a problem, thereby reducing student risk factors, promoting protective
factors and increasing asset development.
Drug & alcohol evaluation and treatment
are often part of the SAP process. For more information on local drug
& alcohol treatment options in Lancaster County, click
here.
The SAP
Process
Steps in the SAP Process
include:
Referral – Anyone can refer a student to SAP
when they are concerned about his or her behavior. Also, the student
can go directly to the SAP team and ask for help. The team contacts
the parent for permission to proceed with the SAP process.
Team Planning Meeting
– The SAP team gathers objective information about the student’s
performance in school from all school personnel who have contact
with the student. Information
is also collected from the parents or caregivers. The team meets
with the parents to discuss the data collected and also meets with
the student. Together, a plan is developed to include
in-school and/or community-based services and activities.
Intervention and
Recommendations – The plan is put into action. The
team assists in linking the student to in-school and/or community-based
services and activities. The team might recommend a drug and alcohol
or mental health evaluation.
Support and Follow-Up
– The SAP team continues to work with and support the student
and family. Follow-up includes monitoring, mentoring, and motivating
for academic success.
*Source: National
Student Assistance Association and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Student Assistants Program.
Related
Downloads and Publications
For more downloadable publications, click here.
SAP Structure & Organization:
National, State, County and School
National SAP:
The National Student Assistance Association (NSAA) is a 501(c)(3)
non-profit organization. Formerly known as the National Association
of Student Assistance Professionals (NASAP), the association was founded
in 1987 by professionals who where concerned about the problems of
student substance abuse, violence and academic under achievement.
The group’s mission is to advocate for the highest standards
of practice for student assistance professionals and continuing development
of student assistance program services that promote, student achievement,
academic success and a healthy, safe & drug-free lifestyles
Pennsylvania SAP:
On the state level SAP provides leadership for developing a safe and
drug-free environment and mental health wellness in schools and communities
across the Commonwealth. Barriers to learning will be removed and
student academic achievement will be enhanced through collaborative
prevention, intervention, and post-intervention services.
Lancaster County
SAP Coordination Team: The mission of this team is to promote
quality services to all school districts and communities. The team
is responsible for providing leadership, planning, management, and
implementation of SAP services at the county or county joiner level.
The team’s primary function is to identify training and staff
development needs and assess program delivery and technical assistance
needs.
School SAP Team:
The core of the student assistance program is a team of school
employees and community agency staff that has received specialized
training from a Commonwealth approved SAP training provider. This
team helps schools identify students who are experiencing behavior
and/or academic difficulties, which pose a barrier to learning and
success in school. Also, it offers support to those families, assists
in identifying barriers to learning, mobilizes school and community
resources and assists parents and students to access services.
Links to
Internet Resources
Lancaster
County Drug & Alcohol Commission: The Lancaster County
Drug & Alcohol Commission is a county government agency that serves
as Lancaster County's Single County Authority. The Commission coordinates
and funds substance abuse treatment and prevention programs in the
county.
Lancaster-Lebanon
Intermediate Unit 13 (IU 13): Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate
Unit 13 (IU 13), one of 29 intermediate units across Pennsylvania,
is a regional educational agency whose mission is to assist local
school districts to enhance educational opportunities. An excellent
resource for those interested in in-school prevention programming.
Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania Student Assistance Program (PA SAP):
Comprised of an interagency committee; Pennsylvania Departments of
Health, Welfare and Education; PA SAP provides leadership for developing
a safe and drug-free environment and mental health wellness in schools
and communities across the Commonwealth. Barriers to learning will
be removed and student academic achievement will be enhanced through
collaborative prevention, intervention, and post-intervention services.
Pennsylvania
Association of Student Assistance Professionals (PASAP):
The Pennsylvania Association of Student Assistance Professionals (PASAP)
is a non-profit membership organization whose mission is to address
the influence of alcohol, other drugs and mental health issues that
affect the welfare of our youth. PASAP is committed to providing support
and networking in the areas of prevention, intervention, treatment,
aftercare, ongoing support services and education to all individuals
or organizations who foster this same commitment.
National
Student Assistance Association (NSAA): NSAA advocates
for the highest standards of practice for student assistance professionals
and continuing development of student assistance program services
that promote student achievement and academic success, healthy safe
& drug-free lifestyles and strength-based approaches in working
with youth.
