Student Assistance Program

The MaST Student Assistance Program (SAP) Team is a confidential and voluntary part of a state-wide student assistance program which operates in all of Pennsylvania's school districts. SAP provides schools with the means to identify barriers to a student's learning and success in the areas of behavior, academics, and/or attendance. 

Our SAP Team is a dedicated group of school personnel who are trained to identify problems that impact the student's ability to function in school. The team also offers resources to students and their families to assist them in alleviating these problems. 

Why would a student referred to the SAP Team? 

Students may be referred for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to: 

• Withdrawing from family or friends

• Change in peer group

• Talking about depression or suicide 

• Unusual eating or sleeping habits 

• Sudden drop in grades

• Frequent absences 

• Physical or verbal aggression

• Change in appearance

• Suspected alcohol or drug use

• Significant or traumatic family event (divorce, illness, death, relocation, etc) 

Who can make a referral to the SAP Team? 

A parent, teacher, counselor, school staff member, or peer can make a referral to any member of the SAP Team. Parents can make a referral by reaching out to their child's school counselor. 

Once the team receives a referral, they will reach out to the parents/caregivers to gain permission before beginning the SAP process. The SAP Team will then work closely with parents/families and students to recommend appropriate resources and supports. 

Intensive Behavior Health Services (IBHS)

One resource that we might recommend through SAP is IBHS: Intensive Behavior Health Services. 

From our IBHS provider, Elwyn: 

"Intensive Behavioral Health Services are community-based and tailored to the specific needs of each child. Our clinical team, whose expertise reaches multiple disciplines, offers families and children the tools to succeed within the least-restrictive educational and living environment possible. These services are provided through Behavior Consultant (BC), Mobile Therapy (MT) or Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) and take place in the home, school, and community."  

More information can be found at elwyn.org

Mental Health Services

Another resource that we might recommend through SAP is a mental health assessment. 

From our mental health assessors, CORA Services: 

"CORA SAP Assessors are available for Consultation, Assessment, and Referral assistance to students whom you identify as experiencing obstacles/barriers to learning that may be due to an underlying behavioral health concern, change in their family/environment, and a variety of other factors. These students often need additional behavioral health support outside of the school environment." 

More information can be found at coraservices.org