* STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TRAINING *

October 24, 25 & 26, 2023      CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

The Student Assistance Program is a school based program designed to assist school personnel in identifying issues including alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, and mental health issues which pose a barrier to a student’s success. The primary goal of the Student Assistance Program (SAP) is to help students overcome these barriers in order that they may achieve, remain in school, and advance. Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Liaisons ensure that referral and support services are made available to students in all Mercer County school districts who may be experiencing behavioral health issues, including mental health and/or drug & alcohol. Liaisons also serve on the SAP teams in their respective Mercer County school districts.

How to make a referral: A referral to the SAP team may be made by a teacher, parent, guidance counselor, or student to the SAP coordinator or guidance counselor at the school district. Referral information should be objective and verifiable information. The referral is kept confidential.

How are services provided: Once a referral has been received by the SAP team and information has been gathered, a team member will contact parents/guardians to explain the SAP process, explain why the child is being referred to the SAP team, and will obtain written parent permission to proceed through the SAP process. Once written parent permission is received, the SAP team will work with the student and family to determine the best intervention for the student. Interventions include monitoring of the student by a SAP team member, referral to the mental health/drug and alcohol liaison for further screening, or referral to other in-school services. The SAP process is ongoing with the family, student, liaison and SAP team member. All information is kept confidential unless a release of information is signed by the child or parent.

Contact Information: If you have questions about the Student Assistance Program please call 724-662-1550 and ask to speak with the Prevention Department Supervisor.