What is the Student Assistance Program (SAP)? The Student Assistance Program works in assisting students who appear to be experiencing barriers to their school success. These barriers may be related to emotional issues or to the use of alcohol and other drugs. The Student Assistance Core Team, made up of specially trained school personnel, assists students and their parents with identifying the issues and assists them in connecting with in school resources that may include an assessment by an independent Student Assistance Consultant from the Holcomb Behavioral Health System (HBHS). What is the purpose of the SAP? The purpose of SAP is to assist schools and assessors in eliminating barriers to school success for secondary students in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Briefly, What is SAP About? Student Assistance Programs Are: Confidential school-based programs; Approved and recognized by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Programs to assist middle/high school students; Programs which work with parents and guardians; Programs which encourage school success How Can Student Assistance Programs Help? In a nutshell, SAP can help in the following ways: Meeting with students and their families to identify concerns and ways to help; Offering school-based support; Providing information and links to additional resources for families. What Are Some Behaviors for Parents/Teachers to Look for? Below are some of the puzzling behaviors that both parents, caregivers and teachers should look for when considering a student for assistance or assessment: Noticeable changes in: Mood/Energy levels, Friends, School Performance/attendance Weight or eating habits, Sleep patterns, Appearance, Participation in activities Defiance of school and/or parental rules Alcohol, tobacco, or other drug use Taking unnecessary risks Feelings of worthlessness Talks about harming self or others Vandalism, stealing, fighting Angry outbursts at home or school Staying away or running away from home What is pre-assessment monitoring? Pre-assessment monitoring is part of the Student Assistance Program. After referral to SAP and prior to the scheduling of an assessment, students and their parents can request to participate in pre-assessment monitoring by the CAP assessor who is contracted from Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems. Consent need to be signed for pre-assessment monitoring as well as release of information for the SAP team members who can provide support as needed on the school days when the Holcomb assessor is not present. The immediate scheduling of an assessment is indicated and dictated by school policy if there is a policy violation at school. Also, if the Holcomb assessor is concerned that stated or observed behavior puts the student or others in potential risk of harm, parents/guardians are immediately notified and an assessment to identify additional sources of support and/or treatment is required. Emergency measures to ensure the student’s safety follow the school district’s policy and procedures. What is an assessment? The Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems’ consultant will meet with you and your child (for approximately 2 hours) to conduct an interview that will help you to better understand the nature of the issues which are creating your child’s barriers to school success. The assessor will work with you to determine the best course of action and assist you in making contact with resources in the school and/or the community. Are there any costs to me? There are no costs to you for this assessment or school based services. If you choose to access services within the community, these costs will be your responsibility. The assessor will assist you in accessing resources that are affordable and/or provided by your health insurance. Is the Student Assistance Program Confidential? All information discussed and documented is kept private and confidential, except in specific circumstances, which are listed below: 1. Any situation in which there is a perceived threat or danger of physical harm or violence. 2. Any situation in which there is suspicion of child abuse or neglect 3. An emergency medical situation 4. If you, the parent and your child give written permission for the information to be discussed with specific people. This is requested when the Student Assistance Team refers your child for assessment or other in school resources. For More Information on Student Assistance, please contact Carolyn Falcone by phone (610-352-8943) or by E-mail (cfalcone@holcombhs.org)
What is the Student Assistance Program (SAP)?
The Student Assistance Program works in assisting students who appear to be experiencing barriers to their school success. These barriers may be related to emotional issues or to the use of alcohol and other drugs.
The Student Assistance Core Team, made up of specially trained school personnel, assists students and their parents with identifying the issues and assists them in connecting with in school resources that may include an assessment by an independent Student Assistance Consultant from the Holcomb Behavioral Health System (HBHS).
What is the purpose of the SAP? The purpose of SAP is to assist schools and assessors in eliminating barriers to school success for secondary students in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Briefly, What is SAP About? Student Assistance Programs Are: Confidential school-based programs; Approved and recognized by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Programs to assist middle/high school students; Programs which work with parents and guardians; Programs which encourage school success
How Can Student Assistance Programs Help?
In a nutshell, SAP can help in the following ways: Meeting with students and their families to identify concerns and ways to help; Offering school-based support; Providing information and links to additional resources for families.
What Are Some Behaviors for Parents/Teachers to Look for? Below are some of the puzzling behaviors that both parents, caregivers and teachers should look for when considering a student for assistance or assessment:
What is pre-assessment monitoring?
Pre-assessment monitoring is part of the Student Assistance Program. After referral to SAP and prior to the scheduling of an assessment, students and their parents can request to participate in pre-assessment monitoring by the CAP assessor who is contracted from Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems. Consent need to be signed for pre-assessment monitoring as well as release of information for the SAP team members who can provide support as needed on the school days when the Holcomb assessor is not present.
The immediate scheduling of an assessment is indicated and dictated by school policy if there is a policy violation at school. Also, if the Holcomb assessor is concerned that stated or observed behavior puts the student or others in potential risk of harm, parents/guardians are immediately notified and an assessment to identify additional sources of support and/or treatment is required. Emergency measures to ensure the student’s safety follow the school district’s policy and procedures.
What is an assessment?
The Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems’ consultant will meet with you and your child (for approximately 2 hours) to conduct an interview that will help you to better understand the nature of the issues which are creating your child’s barriers to school success. The assessor will work with you to determine the best course of action and assist you in making contact with resources in the school and/or the community.
Are there any costs to me?
There are no costs to you for this assessment or school based services. If you choose to access services within the community, these costs will be your responsibility. The assessor will assist you in accessing resources that are affordable and/or provided by your health insurance.
Is the Student Assistance Program Confidential?
All information discussed and documented is kept private and confidential, except in specific circumstances, which are listed below:
1. Any situation in which there is a perceived threat or danger of physical harm or violence.
2. Any situation in which there is suspicion of child abuse or neglect
3. An emergency medical situation
4. If you, the parent and your child give written permission for the information to be discussed with specific people. This is requested when the Student Assistance Team refers your child for assessment or other in school resources.
For More Information on Student Assistance, please contact Carolyn Falcone by phone (610-352-8943) or by E-mail (cfalcone@holcombhs.org)
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What is the purpose of SAP? Briefly, What is SAP About?
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Is the Student Assistance Program confidential?
