Student Assistance Programs
Provides information for implementing new Student Assistance Programs (SAPs) along with resources for strengthening existing SAPs.Student Assistance Programs (SAPs) evolved from the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) model of the 1960s-1970s. Recognition of the importance of removing all barriers to work performance translated to school policy in the 1980s when SAPs developed in the vein of EAPs. SAPs at first only addressed substance abuse in students, but soon expanded to help address a wide range of issues that impede adolescent academic achievement. These non-academic barriers to learning include, but are not limited to the following:
- school adjustment problems
- trauma generated at school or at home
- attendance and dropout problems
- mental health issues including depression or suicide issues, self-injury, stress and anxiety related issues, grief
- physical and sexual abuse, violence
- substance abuse
- gender issues
- teen pregnancy and parenting
- family issues including dissolution, homelessness or displacement, family member mental health and substance use disorders, and relationship difficulties
- parent or other family member incarceration
- military deployment
- delinquency and involvement with the juvenile justice system
As Gary Anderson writes in the first published model for Student Assistance Programs, “Any student assistance program effort demonstrates that a school system recognizes, first, that such problems do plague students and, second, that a responsible system of adults must respond and help.” (Hipsley, 2001)
What is a SAP?
SAP is a comprehensive school-based approach that coordinates support services and some direct services for students. Through the referral and facilitation of appropriate services, SAPs have been successful in reducing students’ behavioral and disciplinary violations including substance use, helping students get through schools safely and successfully, and improving school attendance and academic performance. Although the approach is titled Student Assistance Program, it directly benefits and supports the staff, family, and the community when students use the supportive services when they need it.
SAP is a flexible model that can be customized to fit the infrastructure and staffing available at a school-site or district. It could be used as a portal to allow the students and families to access the county or community based services. Referrals to the SAP are usually open to any school staff, family, or students. There are a lot of variations of how a SAP is structured, run, and funded. Services provided under a SAP also vary, but may include interventions such as Brief Intervention or utilize the Brief Risk Reduction Interview and Intervention Model. Some form of counseling is usually offered or coordinated by the SAP staff.
Most SAPscan be initiated by the school/district and are often supported by county behavioral health or community based agencies.
Some sample school-based prevention programs:
| SAP Approaches to Prevention | California County |
|---|---|
| Athletes Committed and Life of an Athlete | Butte, Stanislaus |
| Project Success | Amador, Contra Costa, Napa, Nevada Sonoma |
| Seven Challenges | Santa Cruz, Santa Clara |
| Brief Intervention | Butte, Contra Costa, Riverside, Stanislaus, Ventura |
| Brief Risk Reduction Interview and Intervention Model | Riverside, Stanislaus, Ventura |
Bulletins
Student Assistance Program (SAP) Bulletins
These bulletins have been designed to support school administrators, teachers, counselors and other school district personnel, non-profit organizations, and agencies who are involved with SAPs.
Intervention Registry
California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (CEBC)
The CEBC is a searchable online registry of evidence-based practices for children and families involved with the child welfare system.
Evidence-Based Practices Resource Center
Supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, this site provides clinically sound and scientifically based policies, practices and programs to improve prevention, treatment, and recovery support services for mental and substance use disorders.
Resources
Pennsylvania Network for Student Assistance Services
Supporting the Pennsylvania state SAP model. The PA Network assists school personnel in identifying issues such as alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, and mental health issues that pose a barrier to a student’s success.
Student Assistance Program Guidebook
(PDF)
This Student Assistance Program Guidebook offers processes, strategies, tools, websites and other resources for schools implementing or looking to implement evidence-based Student Assistance Programs as a strong system to support those struggling students.
Masonic Model Foundation for Children
The Masonic Model Student Assistance Program provides training to educators to identify the barriers preventing students from achieving academic success and provide intervention to help the youth lead productive, useful, and healthy lives.