Student Assistance Brochure
What is a Student Assistance Program?
A Student Assistance Program is a comprehensive school-based program for students (K-12) designed to identify issues affecting a student’s mental health and possible impact upon their academic performance.
SAP's provide a safe place in which students are free to express their feelings and concerns as they develop positive relationships with peers and adults and acquire knowledge, skills and attitude development leading to student success in the school setting.
Receiving services from the program is completely confidential. Involvement in the program is usually voluntary; however, it may be mandated by policy’s which prevent students from learning and being successful in school.
The Student Assistance Programs has been established at GRHS to identify and help students who may be experiencing personal, school or family problems. Its broad brush philosophy acknowledges that students who are displaying troubled behavior should be referred to the student assistance program, regardless of whether the trouble may indicate any involvement or association with alcohol or other drug related concerns.
This program provides education,prevention, early identification,intervention, referral, and support groups for students. The goal is to foster risk reduction and positive asset development and work to provide a safe,alcohol and drug free environment.
Student Assistance Counselors (SACs) work to support the entire student community, just like school counselors. The main difference is that SACs are not assigned a caseload of students and work with all students. They act as a resource for the entire school community, working with any student or group in a confidential setting.
SACs also build connections within the local community, so they can act as a source of information and referrals to different community agencies and resources.
SACs receive specialized prevention and intervention training to identify and address the needs of each student and each school. They also participate in on-going professional development in order to best serve the schools and communities.
More information on the role and effectiveness of Student Assistance Counselors is below, provided by the Association of Student Assistance Professionals of NJ (ASAP-NJ, asapnj.org).
Student Assistance Programs promote protective factors and increase:
• Students’ academic achievement and good grades
• Students' positive attitude towards school
• Students’ likelihood of staying in school
• Students’ attendance in school
• Students' sense of self-worth
• Students' ability to communicate and express feelings appropriately
• Students’ positive relationships
• Staff involvement in student issues and concerns
• Parent and community support for students and schools.
Program Philosophy
The philosophy of the Glen Ridge school district is one of caring and concern for students. In partnership with the home and community, it is the core mission to provide students with the educational opportunities and academic experiences that enable them to maximize their potential through a college preparatory based curriculum. We seek to maintain an environment that fosters self-esteem and respect for individual differences. We also seek to develop concern for an understanding of issues affecting the world, while addressing the unique needs of each student in a changing society. The administration, faculty and staff recognize that there are challenges involved with the many issues and decisions today’s adolescents face.
Referral Process
Parent Referral: Parents who are concerned because of social or emotional issues that may be affecting their child are encouraged to contact the SAC office.
Student Self-Referral: A student, who is concerned about his or her own problems or those of someone else, may contact the SAC directly.
Staff Referral: Teachers and other school staff have been alerted to signs and symptoms of possible indications of crisis and they are encouraged to seek assistance through this program.
Help Lines and Websites
2nd Floor Youth Helpline 888-222-2228
Cyber Tipline 800-843-5678
Gay & Lesbian National Hotline 888-843-4564
Natn’l Suicide Prevention Hotline 800-273-8255
Alanon No. Jersey 973-744-8686
Addiction Hotline 800-322-5525
Cancer 800-525-3777
Child Abuse 800-792-8610
DCP&P 973-680-3687
Gambling 908-756-1171
NJ Drug Hotline 800-225-0195
Domestic Violence Hotline 800-572 SAFE
National Sexual Assault Hotline 800-572-HOPE
www.2ndfloor.org Youth Helpline
http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/
How is a SAC different from a school counselor?
See the resources below from the NJ Association for Student Assistance Professionals
REFERRALS
The Student Assistance Program (SAP) is specifically designed to help students who may be struggling socially and emotionally. The Student Assistance Counselor (SAC) offers support to students, parents and teachers. The SAC provides a systematic approach to Screening, Brief Interventions and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT); and, follow-up of students whose behavior indicates patterns that may be considered high risk.
What is the process?
1. Initial Referral: Can be from....
Parent
Teacher
Student
Friend
Administrator
Staff
Any person who cares enough to change the path of a youth
2. Screening (Information collection)
3. Brief Intervention
4. Referral to Therapy/Treatment Services if needed
5. Follow-Up
