Substance Abuse Prevention Intervention Specialist information
Sapis
Providing Education, Prevention and Intervention Services to the Queens College School for Math, Science and Technology
Innovative approaches to Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention
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Started in 1971, in response to a growing awareness of the dangers of youthful alcohol and substance abuse, SAPIS and SPARK programs have consistently won national acclaim. Their innovative approaches to programs have empowered and motivated students to redirect their lives.
The Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention Network in NYC Schools offers evidence based classroom education, prevention and intervention services. The program is called SAPIS* in grades K-8 and SPARK in grades 9-12.
The goals of the program are:
Reduce the prevalence of substance abuse among youth, delay the initiation of substance abuse behavior among youth, decrease the negative health, social and educational consequences associated with substance abuse.
Prevent the escalation of substance abuse behaviors to levels requiring treatment
SAPIS Program Services Help young people realize their dreams
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These include:
Classroom lessons (using evidence based programs)
INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP COUNSELING
CRISIS INTERVENTION
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
ASSESSMENTS AND REFERRALS FOR MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES
Classroom Lessons
Focus on Sound Information (Click to view additional information)
Classroom lessons give students sound information about alcohol and other drugs. These proven effective curricula are structured
in a series, as a continuous process, through all grade levels.
Classroom Lessons:
Provide accurate, age-appropriate, culturally sensitive information that emphasizes the significant consequences of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use and other risky behavior
Identify personal risk factors that can lead to substance abuse and identify students who need further help
Teach techniques to reduce both anger and stress
Build self-esteem to reinforce positive self concept
Evidence Based Programming used with Students:
Second Step
Too Good For Drugs
Too Good For Violence
Lifeskills
Other Programs Used:
Restorative Circles
Beautiful Me - Self Esteem Group for Girls
Resolving Conflict Creatively
Don't Laugh At Me
Social Skill Groups
Connections are the Key (Click to view additional information)
Building pro-social life skills help youngsters to connect socially to others. Socialization skills help counteract the sense of isolation that so often overwhelms students.
This training aims to provide young people with:
Tools to build communication skills (i.e. creative writing, role playing and video taping) which provide constructive outlets to express feelings
Assertiveness training to help build a strong self-image
Development of refusal skills to overcome harmful peer pressure
Consumer awareness, to help identify positive and negative advertising
Skills to reduce stress
Intervention Services
Help for those at risk (Click to view additional information)
Students who are at risk for alcohol and substance abuse, gang involvement suspension from school, disruptive behaviors, and violations of the Discipline Code are referred to SAPIS for intervention services.
SAPIS provide parent workshops which address alcohol and substance abuse issues as well as bullying and violence prevention.
SAPIS provide assessment and referrals
SAPIS provide crisis response services to schools needing support during crisis incidents
Parent workshops
Targeted toward developing parenting skills and leadership activities (Click to view additional information)
Myths About Vaping Workshop resources
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