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Purpose
Purpose
The Student Assistance Program is a confidential support system designed to help students who may be facing barriers to learning, including academic, emotional, and/or social concerns. The Student Assistance Program can help with students showing signs of anxiety, depression, grief, loss, motivation, attendance, and more. The goal is to work in partnership with families to remove barriers and enable students to reach their full potential.
The 4 Phases of SAP
The 4 Phases of SAP
Referral
Referral
Anyone can refer a student to SAP when there is a concern about the student's behavior. Before the process begins, the SAP team will contact the parent or guardian for permission.
Team Planning
Team Planning
The SAP team will collect data to inform the need for and development of the student's action plan. The team will meet with the parent or guardian to discuss the collected data. A plan will collaboratively be created to help remove barriers and promote the student's success.
Intervene and Recommend
Intervene and Recommend
The plan is implemented. The SAP team works on providing in-school and community-based services.
Support and Follow-up
Support and Follow-up
The SAP team continues to work with and support the student and their family. Some of the activities include mentoring and monitoring the student's academic and behavorial success.
Middle School SAP Team Members
Middle School SAP Team Members
School Social Worker
Family & Student Success Coach
Middle School Principal
Student Success Coach
Middle School Assistant Principal
Behavior Specialist
Middle School Counselor
Regular Education Teacher
Parent Involvement
Parent Involvement
Parents play a vital role in the Student Assistance Program (SAP). When schools and families work together, students are more likely to succeed—both in school and in life.
Your involvement helps the SAP team better understand your child’s strengths, needs, and experiences outside of school. This fuller picture allows the team to make more informed decisions about how best to support your child. Parents can also help make sure that the recommendations made by the SAP team are realistic, respectful of family values, and tailored to what works best for the student at home and school.
Most importantly, when students see their parents and school staff working together, they feel supported, understood, and more motivated to make positive changes.
SAP is not a disciplinary program—it’s a support system. And your voice is a key part of that support.
Guidelines
Guidelines
In Pennsylvania, the Student Assistance Program (SAP) is supported by a team of professionals from several state agencies, including the Departments of Education, Drug and Alcohol Programs, and Human Services. These agencies work together through the PA Network for Student Assistance Services (PNSAS) to guide and support SAP in schools.
SAP follows guidelines set by the state, professional standards, and the policies adopted by each school district’s board of directors. All SAP team members are required to complete specialized training from a state-approved provider. This training ensures that team members can recommend appropriate services for students, work effectively with other agencies, and follow all laws that protect the privacy of students and their families.
The training system for SAP teams in grades K–12 includes clear standards to make sure all team members are well-prepared and stay up-to-date with best practices approved by the state.
Additional Information About SAP
Additional Information About SAP
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