Student Assistance Program

In Pennsylvania, every middle, high and some elementary schools have a Student
Assistance Program (SAP). A SAP team is made up of school personnel and a Creative
Health Services liaison. This program helps students and families access school
and Community Services.
The Creative Health Services liaisons work with middle and high schools in
the following school districts:
- Pottstown
Upper Perkiomen Valley
- Perkomen Valley
- Pottsgrove
- Owen J. Roberts
- Spring-Ford
- Boyertown
- Western Center Technical Studies
Creative Health also provides elementary assistance to Pottsgrove and O.J.
Roberts school district.
The Student Assistance Process
Students are usually referred for SAP services through the following sources.
- School Administration
- Teachers
- Parents
- A concerned friend
A self-referral
The SAP team reviews all referrals and if the team finds sufficient reason
to believe a cose is serious, a formal information gathering process is started.
Standardized SAP forms requesting information about a student’s academic
performance, behaviors, discipline records, health concerns and attendance
may be completed by the following school personnel:
- School Administration
- Teachers
- School Nurse
- Attendance Officer
- Parent
- Guidance Counselor
If the team decides intervention is necessary, parents are provided with resources
such as assistance from the CHS liaison. Every effort is made to involve parents
in the SAP process and work together to develop a course of action for the
identified problems.
The Creative Health Liaison’s Responsibilities
Liaison Services:
The liaison from Creative Health Services is a resource member of the Student
Assistance Team. The liaison is required to attend a minimum of two meetings
per month with the team, but usually attends on a weekly basis. The Creative
Health staff person facilitates the scheduling of an assessment and the exchange
of pertinent information. As a member of the team, the liaison would be responsible
for locating available mental health and/or drug and alcohol related treatment.
Assessments:
Assessments done by the liaison involve gathering information and meeting
with the student, parent(s) and other involved concerned persons. Assessments
usually take place at the referring school unless other arrangements have
been made with the family. The process explores the reasons for the referral
with both the student and the family and recommendations are made to them
upon completion of the assessment.
Referrals
Appropriate treatment options will be discussed and a referral will be made
if necessary. The liaison may assist the family to work through the financial/insurance
process if needed. The liaison will follow up with the family to see whether
treatment recommendations were successfully pursued.