The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania’s Student Assistance Program (SAP) Services are provided by a trained team of state-certified SAP behavioral health liaisons assigned to a school district. They are dedicated to providing quality services to meet the individual needs of each district and its students. As a Pennsylvania Approved SAP Training Provider, The Council provides numerous trainings for SAP team members, county and state-wide.
Our primary goals in providing behavioral health liaison services are as follows:
- Promote wellness and resiliency by engaging youth and families with a more holistic, needs-based model.
- Increase partnerships and efficiencies with school partners through a coordinated approach and philosophy of care.
- Create a more streamlined approach that maximizes resources by centralizing liaison support through a single provider.
SAP in Montgomery County is a collaborative process with Montgomery County Offices of Drug and Alcohol and Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities/Early Intervention.
What is the Student Assistance Program?
The Pennsylvania Student Assistance Program (SAP) is a team-based process that mobilizes school resources to remove barriers to learning or success. SAP is designed to identify academic, social, attendance, substance use, mental health, and other concerns that pose a barrier to student success. The primary goal of the Student Assistance Program is to help students overcome these barriers so that they may achieve, advance, and remain in school.
The core of the Student Assistance Program is a professionally trained team, including school staff and liaisons from community drug and alcohol, mental health, or behavioral health agencies. SAP team members are trained to review incoming referrals, gather data, and make recommendations to help students overcome barriers to learning. These recommendations may include supports and services offered within the school or community. SAP team members do not diagnose, treat, or refer to treatment for behavioral health concerns. The engagement of students and families throughout the SAP process is essential. The SAP team will assist parents in accessing any recommended services and supports. There are four phases to the student assistance process:
- Referral – Anyone can refer a student to SAP when they are concerned about a student’s behavior.
- Data Collection – The SAP team gathers objective information and data to inform their decision-making process. Parent permission is required to continue the SAP process.
- Action Planning – A plan is developed to assist the student in accessing recommended school and/or community supports. The team may utilize liaison services, which may include a drug and alcohol and/or mental health screening/assessment.
- Follow-Up – Follow-up includes monitoring progress towards goals and checking in with the family, student, and referral source. The plan may be adjusted as needed.
SAP in Pennsylvania is overseen by the PA Network for Student Assistance Services (PNSAS), comprised of Regional Coordinators and representation from the PA Departments of Education (Office for Safe Schools), Drug and Alcohol Programs (Division of Prevention and Intervention), and Human Services (Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services). The program’s structure and operation in Pennsylvania are a unique, integrated model serving the needs of Pennsylvania families and students.
Please contact Melissa Groden at 267-817-4894 or email mgroden@councilsepa.org, for a full description of services available.
Our Current School Partnerships for SAP include:
- Abington School District
- Cheltenham School District
- Hatboro-Horsham School District
- Jenkintown School District
- Lower Moreland School District
- North Penn School District
- Souderton School District
- Springfield School District
- Upper Dublin School District
- Upper Moreland School District
- Wissahickon School District