High School Student Assistance Programs Williamsburg High School SAP Team Updated 6/21/18

What is a Student Assistance Program (S.A.P.)? A formal, consistent, and systematic approach to assist school personnel to identify issues that pose a barrier to a student’s learning and school success.

Student Assistance Programs An intervention program to gather information, intervene, and refer students to appropriate resources for help. The Student Assistance Program is NOT a treatment program.

S.A.P. Objectives To provide families with information regarding services to support students at home and school. Provide students with a positive environment to seek help if needed. Prevent student problems by early identification and intervention by prevention programs.

What is a S.A.P. Team? The S.A.P. team consists of school personnel trained to identify, intervene and assist students and families in seeking appropriate help. The team is assisted in their efforts by individuals trained in both mental health and drug and alcohol prevention.

Williamsburg SAP teams Meets weekly on Tuesdays to discuss current students and newly referred students. Are available for discussing student concerns with at anytime.

Williamsburg High School SAP Team Michael Jones Carrie Loose Christine Ebersole Jana Mock Shawn Cunningham Chad Ryan—Blair County DAP Case Manager Renee Swogger- Outpatient Therapist, Home Nursing Agency Rashonda Coffee-UPMC Altoona Behavioral Health SAP Liaison Tricia Maceno—Blair County DAP Prevention Supervisor Brooke Kennedy—Impact Counselor

Williamsburg High School SAP Team School Personnel: Michael Jones Carrie Loose Jana Mock Shawn Cunningham Christine Ebersole

Williamsburg High School SAP Team Outside agencies: Renee Swogger- Outpatient Therapist, Home Nursing Agency Rashonda Coffee- UPMC Altoona Behavioral Health SAP Liaison Tricia Maceno—Blair County DAP Prevention Specialist Chad Ryan—Blair County DAP Case Manager Brooke Kennedy—Impact Counselor

What is a SAP team’s role? To collect information regarding a student who has been referred. Obtain parental permission. Refer student to appropriate services. Monitor student progress and make any necessary changes.

Reasons for referrals Change in student behavior or mood Drop in grades or school performance Change in friends, appearance, or interests Physical symptoms or health problems Defiance of rules at home or school Low self-esteem

Reasons for referral Alcohol or drug use, no matter how minimal, or misuse of medications. Expressing hopelessness, worthlessness, helplessness. Running away Expressing desire to punish or gain revenge by harmful means Personal stressors

Reasons for referral The reasons listed are just a few of the many signs a student may be experiencing. Any reason that is impacting a student’s ability to achieve, succeed, and advance in school is a good reason to refer.

The S.A.P. Referral Process STEP 1-Who can refer? Students are referred to the S.A.P. team by: School administrators Teachers/any staff members Counselors, School nurses Fellow students Self –Students over 14 do not require parent permission for D&A Parent/family member Any concerned adult

Referral Process STEP 2 Referrals are reviewed by the team and formal information gathering is begun. Student data is gathered from various sources regarding: Student attendance Academic performance Classroom behavior Health room visits/concerns Parent concerns/issues

Referral Process Step 3 After information is gathered, the team develops a plan of action based upon the student’s needs.

Referral Process Step 4 The student findings and recommendations that indicate the student’s need for help/assistance is presented to the parent/family by a phone call or a meeting. Signed parental consent must be obtained prior to any further action by the team.

Referral Process Step 5 The team assists the parents/family and the student in pursuing a course of action designed to resolve the identified problem.

Referral Process Step 5 continued: Action plans for students may include: In-school individual or group counseling. Evaluation by the mental health system, drug and alcohol system or both. Evaluation by school psychologist. Other professional services outside the school setting.

Referral Process Step 6 The team monitors the progress of the student to determine if changes are required or if the student is succeeding in the selected program.

Confidentiality All parties involved in the S.A.P. process must maintain and respect the confidentiality of the student throughout the entire process.

WILLIAMSBURG SAP TEAMS Our goal is to provide our students with the tools and resources to be academically successful and be happy and productive in society.

“It takes time to know children; it takes time to work with them…it takes time to think, to read, to visit, to discuss, to seek, to grow, and to continue to grow.” *Vincent R. Rogers

Together, WE can make a difference