What is SAP?

According to the Pennsylvania Network for Student Assistance Services, "[t]he Pennsylvania Student Assistance Program (SAP) is a systematic team process used to mobilize school resources to remove barriers to learning. SAP is designed to assist in identifying issues including alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, and mental health issues which pose a barrier to a student’s success. The primary goal of the Student Assistance Program is to help students overcome these barriers so that they may achieve, advance, and remain in school. While Student Assistance Programs exist 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 overall goal of SAP programs in schools "is to provide leadership for developing a safe and drug-free environment and mental health wellness in schools and communities across the [C]ommonwealth. Barriers to learning will be removed and student academic achievement will be enhanced through collaborative prevention, intervention, and postvention services." 

“General Sap in Pa.” Pennsylvania Network for Student Assistance, 2023, pnsas.org/About-SAP/General-SAP-In-PA.