SAP Overview
Ridge Student Assistance Counselors
Mr. Chad Gillikin Mrs. Rebecca Tritt
Grades 10 & 11 Grades 9 & 12
(908) 204-2585, ext: 105 (908) 204-2585, ext: 145
cgillikin@bernardsboe.com rtritt@bernardsboe.com
Counseling Suite Counseling Suite
Confidentiality
Confidentiality laws regulating Substance Abuse professionals is located in the Federal Regulations, Title 42, (42 CFR). With regard to school-based substance abuse professionals, this authority is referred to in the New Jersey Administrative Code, 6A:16-3.2 wherein it states: “Each district board of education shall assure compliance with the following confidentiality requirements:
Confidentiality of alcohol and drug abuse patient records, pursuant to 42 CFR part 2; and
Confidentiality of information provided by….a secondary school student while participating in a school-based drug and alcohol counseling program which indicates that the student’s parent or other person residing in the student’s household is dependent upon or illegally using substances…”
In most cases, only the standard exceptions to this law apply; these are: when a student gives written consent; when a crime has been threatened; under a proper court order; if a student presents as a threat to hurt themselves or others; or a student makes allegations of child abuse or neglect.
What is the Student Assistance Program?
Ridge High School has established a comprehensive Student Assistance Program to address the various needs of students and families. Student assistance programs are designed to help students and their families with problems that are affecting their personal lives and academic performance. The Student Assistance Program Intervention and Prevention efforts include assessment, short-term confidential counseling, group counseling, referrals and collaboration with parents and other systems. If ongoing therapy is indicated, referrals are made to private practitioners and/or appropriate community agencies.
What does a Student Assistance Counselor (SAC) do?
A SAC provides assistance to the students having school-related, personal, or family difficulties due to behavioral and psychosocial problems that include but are not limited to the following: Alcohol/drug use, eating disorders, depression, lack of appropriate peer interaction, or a loss of a loved one.
Student Assistance Counselors (SAC) look to provide support to the student and prevent personal difficulties from interfering with their success not only in the school environment, but in life.
SAC's collaborate with parents, guidance, child study team, staff and outside stakeholders in an effort to determine effective strategies to best support the student. The Student Assistance Counselor gets to know students in order to help them manage common adolescent obstacles from a strengths-based perspective.
How can the Student Assistance Counselor help?
The SAC may provide assistance with social and emotional concerns (mental health, substance, bullying) that includes, but not limited to:
Eating Disorder
School Issues
Emotional Concerns: Anger, Anxiety, Depression, stress
Self-Esteem
Crisis Management
Self-Harm
Grief/Loss
Social/ Life Skills; time management
Divorce and other Family problems
Peer and Social Problems
Drug and Alcohol Problems
Suicide Prevention
Confidential support services
Works with both students and families to provide necessary referral resources
Assist families and students with mental health and substance use concerns by connecting students and families to community resources
Hold Individual and group meetings with students as needed
Provide psychoeducation to students and staff
Parent education programs
Coordination with outside providers
SAC 2020: Health 9 WITH EMAILS.mp4