WHAT is the Student Assistance Program?

The Student Assistance Program (SAP) is composed of a group of specially trained school staff and community agency liasons who work together to identify students who are experiencing school problems such as:

• divorce, separation and family issues
• stressful situation and life pressures
• death and grief issues
• absence of coping skills due to poor communication, low self-image
• establishing and maintaining friendships and getting along with others
• alcohol or drug use or experimentation
• depression or other mental health problems

It is the parents' right to be involved in all phases of the Student Assistance process. SAP is designed to assist students and parents by making in-school resources available and providing information about community resources. SAP does not provide therapy or implement discipinary consequences.

WHO refers students to the SAP Team?

• Staff members may notice a decline in school performance (attendance, grades, conduct) which may indicate that a student is experiencing difficulty. These behavior changes are reported to a SAP team member.
• Self referrals are accepted. Students may seek information or help by contacting a SAP Team member.
• Peers who are concerned about a friend's problems are encouraged to discuss these concerns with a SAP Team member.
• Family members are encouraged to communicate with the SAP Team for information or assistance.
• Community agencies and instiutions (church, social services, criminal justice systems and counseling agencies) deal with students and their families. Community referrals schould be directed to the SAP Team.

WHAT happens to referrals?

The SAP Team collects information about the student's performance and behavior from a variety of sources:

• teachers
• counselors
• nurse
• administrators
• other staff members

All information is confidential.

If a SAP referral is appropriate, parental consent is requested. The team analyzes this information, along with input from the student and parent, in order to determine the best course of action for the student.

Intervention alternatives include:

• educational support groups,
• individual counseling
• referral to other school professionals
• referral to outside agencies