Student Assistance Program

• Referral
  • Individuals who know of students experiencing barriers to education can refer them to SAP. Parents, guardians, teachers, or classmates may refer students. Students may also refer themselves.
• Family Involvement
  • Families are directly involved once the student has been identified. Lines of communication are open at all times. The SAP process does not replace the parents’ decision-making responsibility.
• Intervention
  • We aim to intervene between a student and anything that may hinder learning. This includes offering a wide range of support, including school and community resources.
• Support and Follow-up
  • SAP strives to offer continued contact and support to aid students and parents in maintaining all successful interventions.

Anyone who has observed student behaviors that may pose a barrier to learning and success may make a referral to the SAP team. Referrals can be made by school staff, students, family members, community members, and students themselves. To make a referral, contact the student's school and ask to speak to the school counselor or another member of the SAP team regarding your concern.

Examples of Student Behaviors That Could Warrant an SAP Referral

• Academic decline
• Attendance concerns
• Change in friends
• Decreased attention span
• Disciplinary problems
• Drop in motivation
• Engagement in dangerous behaviors
• Sadness or mood swings
• Expressions of hopelessness
• Fatigue and listlessness
• Isolation
• Loss of interest in school and/or activities
• Openly admits alcohol, tobacco, or drug use
• Odor of alcohol or marijuana
• Glassy or bloodshot eyes
• Noticeable change in weight
• Frequent visits to the school nurse and/or guidance office
• Poor Hygiene
• Self-injury or abuse

The SAP Team will obtain observable information about the student's performance and behavior from a variety of sources, including teachers, counselors, nurses, administrators, and other staff members as needed. An SAP team member will notify the parent/guardian and obtain permission to proceed with the SAP process. Parent/guardian notification, involvement, and contact are required and necessary for the SAP process to be successful. Once consent is obtained from the parent/guardian, the SAP Team develops strategies for supporting the student.

The SAP team meets weekly to discuss the progress of any pending referrals and to assign new referrals for processing. For students processed for SAP, faculty and staff members are specifically requested to identify current behaviors they have observed on the SAP checklist. Students may be referred as a result of observable needs in the areas of academics, behavior, attendance, or mental health concerns.