What is a Student Assistance Program?
The SAP is a school-based intervention program whose purpose is to prevent or alleviate problems that interfere with student learning. Why is it necessary to have a Student Assistance Program?
Schools are for education. Students who are experiencing distracting life situations cannot
learn effectively. others.
Often their actions are disruptive and interfere with the learning of
Components of Student Assistance Services
Prevention
building personal and social competencies through school curricula; programming Referral Internal: from teachers, self, peers, parents External: to community resources Assessment Intervention Goals: Short-term/Long-term How are teachers involved in the Student Assistance Program? Teachers work closely with the students, and are often the first to observe significant changes, signaling that a problem may exist.
Motivation Sociability Appearance Mood Attitude
Look for patterns of change:
How do teachers get help for a student? The teacher: talks with the student about their unacceptable behavior in the classroom keeps parents informed about what’s going on in their classroom refers the student to guidance counselor If there is little or no change from these efforts, SAP can support the teachers’ effort, the teacher can fill out a confidential (it can even be anonymous) Student Assistance Referral Form and give it to the Student Assistance Coordinator to get the process started. What about confidentiality? All information coming to the team is strictly confidential and confined to those with a need to know. What happens after I complete the form? The Coordinator: Gathers data (attendance, grades, opinions, observations, etc.) Sends Response Form to teachers, administrators, and others Meets with student and parents Compiles all data for use by Student Assistance Team Sends referring staff member Staff Referral Feedback Form What does the Team do?
Reviews and considers all data Sets short-term and long-term goals Brainstorms alternative strategies Recommends intervention Plans implementation Determines how to evaluate the effectiveness of the plan Sends Staff Referral Feedback Form to let you know where we are in the process INTERVENTIONS
School/Home Classroom strategies Parent strategies
School contracts Support for normal developmental challenges Educational tutoring Mentoring programs Peer Programs Involve in extra-curricular activities, clubs Support groups (curriculum and goals) Brief individual counseling External Referrals What if there is still no change in my student’s behavior?
If the behavior change is unacceptable, the case returns to the Team to consider other interventions before closing the case. The team will also make contact with the outside referrals to monitor the progress and assist in coordinating services with school.