Student+Assistance+Program+(SAP)

==== The Student Assistance Program (SAP) is a school-based program that is designed to help students and their families remove barriers to learning that may be affecting the child’s overall success in school. ==== ==== In Pennsylvania, every elementary, middle and high school are mandated to have a Student Assistance Program. The SAP team is there to help students and their families access both school and community support services. ==== ==== Barriers to learning can be present in different areas of a student’s life. SAP is a method for intervening and referring these students for support. Examples of barriers to learning include: suicide prevention; poor attendance; abuse or neglect; inability to focus in class; aggressive or withdrawn behavior; poor social skills or peer relationships; grief, loss, or separation issues and family or home environment issues. ====

====Some students are referred by teachers or other school personnel. A parent, guardian, or family member can also make a referral. Students themselves can even go directly to the SAP team to ask for help.====

====// Improvement occurs when families and schools work together //, and parents are encouraged to be involved in all steps of the SAP process. Participation in SAP is voluntary. Parent or guardian permission is required for a student to enroll in the program. ====

==== The SAP team and the school will respect the child and family’s privacy at all times. The basic steps that the SAP team will take when working with a student are: the team will gather information about the child’s performance in school from all school staff involved with the student. Parents will be asked to share observations and discuss their concerns; the team and the family will then develop a plan of action to help the student achieve success in school. The plan may include services within the school and/or services from a community agency. The SAP team will continue to work with the student and his/her family. They will monitor the child’s progress and success in school. ====

***SAP referrals can be found outside the nurses office on her bulletin board! Please feel free to pick up the blue form and leave it in either Mr. Dugas', Mrs. Vojtko's, or Miss Rutski's mailbox! Because of confidentiality, we will not be able to share further information with you on how the SAP referral was handled but be assured it will be read and handled in a serious and professional manner! * You may also download, print, and fill out the form with the link below.