Student Assistance Program (SAP)

The Student Assistance Program (SAP) is designed to assist school personnel in identifying emotional, behavioral, or substance related issues which pose a barrier to learning. The primary goal of SAP is to help students overcome these barriers to promote academic and personal success.

The SAP Team is comprised of specially trained and certified school and community agency staff who follow a process based upon professional guidelines, standards, policies, and procedures developed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Education.

The Phases of the SAP Process

Referral: Students may be referred to SAP by parents or guardians, school personnel, friends, and through self-referrals. A parent or guardian will be asked to give input and written permission to proceed with the SAP process. Participation is voluntary. If permission is not obtained or services are refused, the process is discontinued. Referrals are based on care, concern, and a desire to be of assistance to students in need. Confidentiality is strictly maintained. Only those school personnel who are responsible for the process and provision of services will know who is involved in the program.

Team Planning: The SAP Team gathers objective data about the student from school personnel who have contact with the student. Designated members of the team meet with a parent or guardian and the student to discuss the data and to develop an individualized plan tailored to the specific needs of the student. The plan includes strategies and services to assist in removing the identified learning barriers.

Recommendations/Interventions: The team assists the student in accessing in-school services and supports. The SAP Team does not diagnose, treat, or refer to treatment, but may recommend a community-based assessment to determine the need for treatment when the issue appears to lie beyond the scope of the school.

Support/Follow-Up: The SAP Team continues to work with and support the student and family through monitoring, mentoring, and motivating for success.

To make a referral to the Student Assistance Program,

please contact a counselor.