CONTACTS: School Counselors, Nicola Hildreth
and Shannon Grieve,
# 410-313-2871 or by email,
nicola_hildreth@hcpss.org /
shannon_grieve@hcpss.org
The Student Assistance Program (SAP)
is specifically designed to help students who may be using tobacco, alcohol,
or other drugs. The SAP consists of a school-based team in each school that
offers support to students, parents and teachers. The SAP provides a
systematic approach to early identification, intervention, referral, and
follow-up of students whose behavior indicates patterns that may be related to
the use of tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs.
How does it work?
1. Initial Referral:
Any teacher, other adult, or student may
make a referral of a student whom they are concerned about. The referral may
be made anonymously to protect the relationship between the "referrer" and the
"referee". For example: Cindy is an 11th grader whose friend, Chris, has begun
drinking alcohol regularly. Cindy confides in her mom, who feels uncomfortable
speaking to Chris or calling Chris' parents about the situation, but is
concerned for Chris' health and safety. Cindy's mom can fill out the simple
SAP Referral Form (located in the FORMS on Student Services website) and send
it anonymously to the school SAP team, who will follow up discreetly on the
situation.
2. Information collection:
The SAP team sends a confidential
checklist form to Chris' teachers and other school personnel to ask if they
have observed any difficulties with Chris' progress in school or general
health and attitude. The reason for the inquiry is not given, to protect
Chris' confidentiality. Information received back is reviewed by the SAP team.
3. Intervention:
If there is documented reason for concern,
the SAP team will contact Chris' parents and request a meeting to discuss the
concerns. Hopefully, Chris' parents are receptive and will meet with the SAP
team. It is the SAP program's experience that some parents are already aware
that there is a problem, and may be relieved to get help and support. Other
parents are unaware of their child's problem.
4. Referral to Services:
If the situation warrants, the SAP team
will recommend to parents that they seek appropriate services for their child
in the school or the community. The SAP team maintains a list of available
services. In the case of Chris, whose drinking behaviors are evident, a
referral is made to a licensed adolescent addictions counselor who can offer
evaluation and treatment. In Howard County, the school system has an agreement
with the Howard County Health Department (HCHD), where, if referred by the
SAP, they will receive a free assessment. Private providers are also
available. At this point, the issue is in the parents' hands. Once the school
has made a recommendation, the parents may choose to act upon it or not.
5. Follow-Up:
Follow-up is different in each case. The
goal of this step is to provide the student and family with appropriate
support in order to enhance the chances for success. It is up to the parent
and the student how much information is shared with the school about outside
services sought or received. However, the school may continue to offer a
variety of strategies including support groups, faculty mentoring, and peer
support groups to support the student in the school setting.
http://www.hcdrugfree.org/school.html
