What is a Student Assistance Program?

A Student Assistance Program is a voluntary school based program that includes a systematic effort to educate, identify, assess, prepare and support students with alcohol/drug use problems and related high risk behaviors which are interfering with a student's education and life development.

What are the Goals of the Student Assistance Program?

• To establish a process whereby students who indicate a problem through their behavior, loss of productivity or self-disclosure may be confidentially referred for assistance.
• To provide alternatives for students when discipline management procedures prove to be ineffective.
• To raise the level of understanding among all staff regarding student distress and the effects on learning as well as teaching.

What is the Philosophy of the Student Assistance Program?

Recognizing that the primary responsibility of a school district is to facilitate learning for ALL children, it is acknowledged that students cannot make full use of the total school program if they are involved with chemicals or being affected by someone else's chemical dependency.

 

While chemical dependency and other related problems are the primary responsibility of the home and community, the Spring Branch Independent School District believes that schools share in this responsibility because alcohol and other drug use has long been demonstrated to be a cause and/or contributing factor in vandalism, absenteeism, disciplinary referrals, declining academic performances and drop-out rates.

 

Since the school setting is an appropriate and effective environment for dealing with alcohol and other drug use concerns affecting youth, the Spring Branch Independent School District recognizes the Student Assistance Program as a proven prevention and intervention method of assisting students to make responsible decisions about chemical use and other related problems.

 

What are the Components of the Student Assistance Program?

• Faculty Inservice
  The entire school staff receives training.
• Program Training
  A SAP Facilitation Team of campus based volunteers and parent/community members receive specialized training in identification, referral, group facilitation, chemical dependency, and other related issues.
• Education
  The District utilizes an inter-disciplinary drug awareness curriculum PK-12. 
• Student Support Groups
  The District maintains a school environment which provides support groups for students that focus on behaviors and support without attempting to counsel, diagnose or treat.

How will the Student Assistance Program Make a Difference?

Students report that they have: 

• A more positive attitude toward school
• Improved communication skills
• Increased self esteem
• More appropriate coping skills
• Healthier friendships
• A greater awareness of the impact of alcohol/drugs
• Reduced or stopped their alcohol/drug use

 

The school community will have: 

• A program which can serve many students in need
• A referral system for students needing assistance
• Skill in identifying at-risk students
• A proven program for addressing the dropout rate, student attendance and academic performance.

   

  "Student Support Groups Provide one of the Most Powerful Vehicles for Personal Growth and Transformation. . ."

CHERYL WATKINS
CHEMICAL AWARENESS TRAINING INSTITUTE