Student Assistance Program
What is the Student Assistance Program?
The Pennsylvania Student Assistance Program (SAP) is a systematic team process used to mobilize school resources to remove barriers to learning for students. SAP is designed to assist in identifying issues related to substance use/abuse and mental health issues which may be impeding a student's 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. While Student Assistance Programs exist in other areas across the country, the structure and operation of the program in Pennsylvania is a unique expression of an integrated model serving the needs of Pennsylvania families and students. Every middle school, high school, and some elementary schools in the state have a Student Assistance Program.
Camp Hill's Student Assistance Program
The Camp Hill School District is committed to providing the highest quality learning experience for all students. Through the positive relationships formed between CHSD staff and students, our staff members are able to identify students whose lives are being negatively impacted by at-risk behaviors. Therefore, Camp Hill has a SAP team to address the needs of at-risk students in our middle and high schools. The team is made up of teachers, counselors, administrators, a nurse, and community liaisons from drug and alcohol and mental health service agencies. All members of our team have engaged in an extensive training program in order to participate in the team and successfully implement the Student Assistance Program at CHSD.
How Does the SAP Team Help Students?
Students are referred to the SAP Team for a variety of reasons, which can include:
- Academic and/or behavioral changes
- Mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, self-harm or suicidal thoughts or ideation
- Truancy
- Substance abuse concerns for the student or addiction in the family
- Relationship stress amongst friend group or ending of a relationship with a significant other
- Bullying
- Grief or loss
The SAP team works with students and their families to access services and resources within the school and community, as needed. The team does not diagnose, treat, or refer students for treatment. The team provides information to families to
Students are referred to SAP for a variety of reasons, which include: withdrawing from friends and family; change of friends; talking of suicide, unexplained physical injury, depression, aggressive behavior, lying, sudden drop in grades, refusal to come to school or experimenting with drugs/alcohol. Additionally, some students require services as a result of the recent death of a loved one, a divorce, relationship problems, family relocation or any other traumatic event.
If your child is experiencing difficulty at school or home, the Student Assistance Program is an excellent resource. Do not feel uncomfortable or embarrassed about asking for help. When help is needed, often knowing where to find it can be overwhelming.
The links below provide further information on Student Assistance Programs and topics pertinent to families and students.
PA Student Assistance Program: PA SAP
PA Network for Student Assistance Service: www.pnsas.org
For Parents
Common Sense Media: www.commonsensemedia.org
Parents: The Anti-Drug: www.theantidrug.com
Partnership for a Drug-free America: www.drugfree.org
For Youth
Above the Influence: www.abovetheinfluence.org
Natural High: www.naturalhigh.org