Seton LaSalle participates in the Pennsylvania Student Assistance Program (SAP), designed to assist in identifying issues including mental health issues, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs that can pose barriers to a student's success. We strive to help students overcome these barriers so that they may achieve, advance, and remain in school. At the core of SAP is a professionally trained team, including school staff and liaisons from community drug and alcohol and mental health agencies. SAP team members are trained to identify issues and determine whether or not presenting the issue lies within the responsibility of the school, and to make recommendations to assist the student and the parent. When the issue lies beyond the scope of the school, the SAP team will assist the parent and student so they may access services within the community. SAP team members do not diagnose, treat or refer to treatment, but they may refer a student to a liaison who may screen or assess for further community-based services and support.
There are four phases to the Student Assistance process:
- Referral: Anyone can refer a student to SAP when they are concerned about their behavior –– any school faculty/staff member, the student's friend(s), a family member, or community member. The students themselves can even go directly to the SAP team to ask for help. The SAP team contacts the parent for permission to proceed with the SAP process.
- Team Planning: The SAP team gathers objective information about the student's performance in school from all school personnel who have contact with the student. Information is also collected from the parent. The team meets with the parent to discuss the data collected and also meets with the student. Together, a plan is developed that includes strategies for removing the learning barriers and promoting the student's academic and personal success to include in-school and/or community-based services and activities.
- Intervention and Recommendations: The plan is put into action. The team assists in linking the student to in-school and/or community-based services and activities. The team might recommend a mental health or drug and alcohol screening or assessment.
- Support and Follow-Up: The SAP team continues to work with and support the student and their family. Follow-up includes monitoring, mentoring and motivating for academic success.
Guidelines for the SAP K-12 training system in Pennsylvania contain training standards and competencies to ensure SAP team professionals receive up-to-date professional training consistent with PNSAS approved procedures.
For more information about SAP, click HERE.