A Publication of Prevention First
June 2009, Volume 1, No. 8
What Is a Student Assistance Program?
As new staff members join your faculty at the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year, Student Assistance basic program awareness will be important. As with any new position, there is so much to learn and so little time. Program awareness should at minimum include information about what Student Assistance does for students and staff, and how staff members can access Student Assistance Program services. The following basic description of Student Assistance may be helpful as you develop program awareness materials for staff, students and parents. You can download a one-page print version at www.prevention.org. Go to Student Assistance Programs, then click on Resources. Feel free to copy the information and adjust to meet your SAP’s needs. • What Is a Student Being a student can sometimes be difficult. Balancing the demands of school, family and relationships can be overwhelming for a student of any age. SAP is a K-12 school-based organized system for prevention, early identification, referral and support for students with identified needs that may affect school performance and healthy development. SAPs focus on building supports for students dealing with behavioral health, family and relationship issues, and other life needs. SAP is designed to assist identified students in making positive changes leading to greater success in school and life development. A national 40 year proven track record of success for Student Assistance
In This Issue
Assistance Program? • The Student Assistance Center Q&A • Your SAP Data is very important! • Events
Copies may be reproduced without permission ONLY for use with local SAP work. No part of this publication may be reproduced or reprinted for other purposes without the permission of Prevention First. All requests for reprint must be directed to Patricia Berry, SAC director at pat.berry@prevention.org.
Download current and past issues of SAP Extension at www.prevention.org/SAC/WhatsNew.asp.
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(Continued from previous page) Programs provides a systematic process to address barriers to learning in grades K –12 for the regular education setting. A basic Student Assistance Program includes a Student Assistance team, methods for identifying and screening identified needs, appropriate referrals and various strategies for supporting students’ needs.
The SAP team is composed of school staff which may include administrators, classroom teachers, school counselors, social workers, school nurses, support staff and school resource officers. The purpose of the Student Assistance team is to process students with identified needs to designated helpers for in-school services such as support groups, school sponsored events, after school activities, individual counseling and skill building. The SAP team may also refer to outside agencies and programs. Referrals to the Student Assistance team may be a self-referral, a referral from school staff, other students or parents. The team meets on a regular basis to determine what actions need to be taken for given referrals. Consistent monitoring and follow up support provide a continuum of services. Student self-referral and concerned friend-referral are one of the most important assets of the SAP fostered by the design of the SAP system. Students understand that the SAP offers help from concerned adults.
Student Assistance and Response to Intervention (RtI)
While Student Assistance works with the needs of all students in the building (not just those needing RtI services), SAPs enhance RtI’s concentration on reading, math and behavior skill deficits. SAP is especially supportive in the Tier 2 problem-solving process by addressing the issues impacting a student’s life that interfere with the student benefiting from curriculum-based interventions. Student Assistance also complements RtI by providing the self-referral component to request help whether or not a student is receiving RtI services.
Student Assistance and PBIS
SAP complements PBIS through addressing the needs of all students in the building including but not limited to those not meeting expectations for PBIS Tier 1. Some schools choose to not implement PBIS Tiers 2 and 3. Other schools defer planning and providing individual supports for students to years three to five in their plan. Student Assistance becomes a tool for providing supports for individual students from year one of PBIS implementation rather than waiting three to five years for PBIS Tier 2 or 3 implementation. Student Assistance also complements PBIS by providing the self-referral component to request help whether or not a student is receiving PBIS services. For more information about SAPs, go to www.prevention.org/SAC/SAC.asp.
The Student Assistance Center at Prevention First is supported by both the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Human Services to provide Student Assistance training and technical assistance to schools in Illinois.
The Student Assistance Center Q & A
Q: SAP is primarily a prevention program, right? A: Although one’s exposure to Student Assistance Q: Does having SAP in the building help the students
and staff when implementing PBIS?
has been primarily with prevention programs, historically and especially in today’s schools, SAPs focus primarily on early intervention and support services. Students in increasing numbers need additional support to cope with behavioral health, life issues and relationship needs that interfere with their educational success. For many students, academic struggles are not related to skill deficits as much as what is going on in their lives. Early intervention is essential in helping these students get connected to the school-based and community resources they need to be successful in school and life.
A: PBIS focuses on behavior expectations at the
universal level and does not address individual student needs for three to five years after initial implementation. Without SAP in place, the school does not have a system in place to address those individual student needs. SAP addresses many student needs outside the realm of PBIS as well. Additionally, an important asset of Student Assistance is self and friend referral. This opportunity is lost when SAP is not in place when implementing PBIS. Student Assistance complements PBIS – and can’t be replaced by PBIS because of the inherent differences in focus and services.
Your SAP
Data is very important!
Please remember to submit your IASAP/SAC Student Assistance Year-End Report.
Submit by June 30, 2009 and be entered to WIN one of three IASAP Conference registrations or one of ten SAP training registrations.
Illinois Association of Student Assistance Professionals (IASAP)/Student Assistance Center Year-End Report
3 Ways to Complete, 3 Ways to Return
Find the report at www.prevention.org. Go to Student Assistance Center, then click on Resources or visit www.iasap.org and click on Evaluation. Three ways to complete the report:
• Paper copy of “Student Assistance Program Year-End Report 2008-2009 Form.” • Electronic copy of the report. • The SAP Year-End Report Excel file “SAP Year-End 09 Report.”
You may report multiple schools on one Excel file.
Three ways to return the report:
• E-mail the completed report form or the SAP Year-End Report Excel file to pat.berry@prevention.org. Please save these with your school name in the title. • Print and complete the Word form and fax to Patricia Berry at 217.793.7354. • Print and complete the Word form and mail to Patricia Berry at Prevention First, 2800 Montvale Drive, Springfield, IL 62704.
SAP Development Trainings
12 CPDUs for Educators and Type 73 Certificates 12 CEUs for Social Workers
June 15 – 16, 2009
8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Countryside Banquet Facility 659 School St., Washington, IL 61571
Principles of Student Assistance Program Implementation and Development
July 20 – 23, 2009
Prevention First 2800 Montvale Drive, Springfield, IL 62704
June 9 – 10, 2009
8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Gateway Convention Center #1 Gateway Drive, Collinsville, IL 62234
August 18 – 19, 2009
SAC Summer Graduate Course
8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Prevention First 200 W. Chicago Avenue, Suite 200 Chicago, IL 60654
2800 Montvale Drive • Springfield, IL 62704
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 392 Springfield, IL
The STudenT ASSiSTAnce cenTer at PrevenTion FirST
n Informatio se! You Can U
2800 Montvale Drive • Springfield, IL 62704 800.252.8951 • www.prevention.org
The SAP Extension is a monthly publication of the Student Assistance Center (SAC) at Prevention First and is free to Illinois schools and agencies supporting Student Assistance Programs. The SAC’s mission is to build best practices and sustainability in Student Assistance work through up-to-date training, technical assistance and information dissemination.