Most, if not all, Pennsylvania elementary, middle, and high schools have Student Assistance Programs, which is a school-wide resource for students and families who are experiencing barriers to learning because of a variety of reasons which may cause you to be concerned, such as:
¨ Withdrawing from family, friends and/or school ¨ Changing friends; no longer spending time with old friends ¨ Unexplained physical injuries ¨ Talking about suicide ¨ Depressed ¨ Defying authority (at home or at school) ¨ Experimenting with drugs or alcohol ¨ Sudden drop in grades ¨ Low self-esteem ¨ Acting aggressively ¨ Lying ¨ Destructive decisions ¨ Reluctance to attend school ¨ Decreased motivation ¨ Sudden change in behavior Or you may be concerned about your child’s reaction to: ¨ Recent death or divorce ¨ A relationship problem ¨ Relocation |
What happens with this
process?
A referral is brought to the attention of a SAP team member and specific information about your child’s performance in school will be gathered. The team (including you, with your consent) discusses the referral and comes up with a strategic plan of action to get the student the help they need. The process can only go so far without parent consent, since parents are a true key component of the success of this program. As with any part of education, YOU ARE PART OF THE TEAM! The plan may include services and activities in school and/or services from a community agency. There are community agencies in which we have liaisons that are participating members of our SAP team How do I refer someone to SAP?
Any concerned individual could refer your child to SAP, including parents, teachers, students. It is strictly out of concern for your child and all referrals will be taken seriously, following a state-guideline process. There are referral forms outside the nurses office on the bulletin board that students, parents, or faculty members can pick up, fill out and place in a team member’s mailbox. The form can also be scanned and emailed to a team member—whatever works best for you!
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