Student Assistance Program (SAP)

What is SAP?

The Pennsylvania Student Assistance Program (SAP) is a systematic team process used to mobilize school resources to remove barriers to learning. The primary goal of SAP is to help students overcome learning barriers to be able to achieve, advance, and remain in school.

While SAP exists in other areas of the country, the structure and operation of the program in Pennsylvania is a unique expression of an integrated model serving the needs of Pennsylvania families and students.

The SAP team is comprised of professionally trained school staff and liaisons from community agencies and partnerships. SAP team members are trained to identify students facing challenges and to make recommendations to support students and their families. If a student is identified as needing SAP team assistance, a SAP referral is made. With parent/guardian consent, the SAP team can refer a student to in-house school supports and/or community-based referrals. These referrals could be support for, but not limited to:

Mental health
Truancy
Drug/alcohol
Social/emotional
Case management

SAP teams do not diagnose or treat mental health or substance use disorders. SAP team members can refer a student, with parent/guardian consent, to a liaison who may screen or assess for further community-based services and support.

The Four Phases to the SAP Process

Referral

Anyone can refer a student to SAP when they are concerned about someone-- school staff, a student’s friend, a family member, or a community member. The students can even go directly to the SAP team to ask for help. The SAP team contacts the parent for permission to proceed with the SAP process.

Team Planning

The SAP team gathers objective information about the student’s performance in school from all school personnel who have contact with the student, as well as parent/guardian input. A SAP action plan is then developed that includes goals and strategies for removing the learning barriers and promoting the student’s academic and personal success.

Intervention and Recommendations

The SAP plan is then put into action, and the team monitors progress towards goals. If additional support is needed, the team may recommend additional screening or assessment with parent/guardian consent.

Support and Follow-Up

The SAP team continues to work with and support the student and their family. Follow-up includes monitoring, mentoring, and motivating for student success.

If you are interested in your child participating in SAP, please speak with your student's counselor or social worker.

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