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Student Assistance Program (SAP)
The Student Assistance Program is a state mandated program developed to identify students who may be experiencing barriers to learning. Once identified, these students can receive help from the Student Assistance Program to overcome those that may be keeping them from being successful learners.
State Street Elementary has a Student Assistance Program (SAP) Team that meets on a regular basis during the school year.
Click to link to Student Assistance Program Brochure
Who is the SAP Team?
The SAP Team is comprised of a group of specially trained school staff and community agency liaisons that work together to provide assistance to remove possible barriers to student success and learning. Team members meet bi-weekly to discuss and manage cases that are referred to SAP.
Who can refer a student to SAP?
Anyone who is concerned about a student and has observed any behaviors or actions that may be posing as a barrier to the student can refer that student to SAP. Referrals can be made by school staff, peers, family members and community members. Self-referrals are also accepted.
When is a referral made to SAP?
Referrals are made to SAP when someone is concerned about a student’s behavior and the impact it may have on his or her learning.
Behaviors that are appropriate for referral to the SAP Team include, but are not limited to…
- Academic decline
- Disciplinary problems
- Attendance issues
- Decreased attention span
- Observable expressions of anger or sadness
- Frequent visits to the School Nurse and/or Guidance Office
- Observing a significant weight loss or gain
- Observing a distinct behavior change or a change in friends
- Signs of neglect (hygiene, food, etc.)
- Family issues
- Frequent bathroom accidents
- Observable behaviors such as overheard conversations (firsthand) about alcohol or other drugs or parties where alcohol and/or drugs were present
- Concerns about bullying (by the student or to the student)
How is a referral made to the SAP Team?
There are two ways that referrals can be made to the SAP Team:
- Contact a guidance counselor or principal about your concern and follow up by referring to a SAP Team member.
- Submit a SAP Referral form to the SAP Team box which is located in the library.
Click for SAP Referral Form (.pdf/printable)
What happens after a referral is made to SAP
The SAP Team member will contact a parent or guardian to notify them about the referral. Once parental permission is obtained to proceed, observable information about the student’s performance and behavior from a variety of sources will be collected (including teachers, counselors, nurses, administrators, and other staff members as needed). Parental notification, involvement, and contact are necessary for the SAP process to be successful. Once written consent in obtained from the parent, the SAP Team develops strategies for supporting the student.
The Student Assistance Program does not provide therapy or implement disciplinary consequences. The SAP Team may recommend connecting the family/student with services through Children’s Service Center, Wyoming Valley Drug & Alcohol, The Bridge Youth Services, and Victim’s Resource Center.
The SAP process is strictly confidential. All information that is collected by the SAP Team is kept separate from the student’s school file.
About Student Assistance Programs in Pennsylvania
If you would like more information about Student Assistance Programs in Pennsylvania please go to the state website:
http://pnsas.org/About-SAP/General-SAP-in-PA
Disclaimer: Clicking the above link takes you to a website that is not operated by the Wyoming Valley West School District. We are not responsible for the content or availability of linked sites.
