Student Assistance

In Pennsylvania, every school district is required to have a plan for identifying and assisting students who experience “barriers to learning.” The result is the Student Assistance Program, a Pre-K through 12th Grade system for assisting parents and school personnel in removing these barriers. A SAP team, made up of school and agency staff, is available to help parents access school and community services for their child.

The school’s SAP team will help parents find services and assistance within the school and, if needed, in the community. We do not diagnose, treat or refer the child for treatment. Rather, we will provide parents with information; parents make the choices. Remember, parents are a part of our team. Our goal is to help the student succeed in school.

Five phases to the Student Assistance Process

Referral – Students come to the ESAP team in different ways. Anyone can refer a student. Some students are referred by teachers and other school personnel. Any school staff member, a student’s friend, or a family member can let the SAP team know that they are worried about a student. The students themselves can even go directly to the ESAP team to ask for help. However, the ESAP team will not become involved unless we receive parental permission. If your child has been referred, it is because someone is concerned about observable changes they are seeing in your child. Perhaps a teacher or a friend has noticed changes in behavior and habits that you may not have noticed at home. Common reasons for referral include:

Withdrawing from family, friends and/or school
Changing friends; no longer spending time with old friends
Exhibiting unexplained physical injuries
Talking about suicide
Experiencing depression
Defying authority, both at home and at school
Acting aggressively
Lying
Experiencing a sudden drop in grades

Parental Approval – After a referral has been made, the SAP team will request that the parent sign a permission form for the child to become involved in the program. Once the parent signs, the SAP team will begin to work with the parent and the child. If the parent feels they need more information before making a decision, they should let the SAP team know. If the parent does not sign the permission form, the SAP team will not become involved. Participation is voluntary.

Team Planning – If the team receives parental approval, the team will gather objective information about the student’s performance in school from all school personnel who have contact with the student. Together, parents and the SAP team will develop a plan of action to help the child achieve success in school. The plan might include services and activities in school and/or services from a community agency. If necessary, the ESAP team will talk with the parent about services in the community and provide information on how to contact others who may be able to help.

Intervention and Recommendation – The plan is put into action. The team assists in linking the student to in-school and/or community-based services and activities. The team might recommend a variety of assessments to help zero in on the issues affecting the student.

Support and Follow Up – The SAP team will continue to work with and support the child. They will stay in touch with parents to talk about the child's progress and success in school. Continued parental involvement is very important.