Counseling Office » Student Assistance Program

Student Assistance Program

Red Lion Area Senior High School
Student Assistance Program

The Student Assistance Program ( SAP ) is a statewide program designed to help schools identify students who are experiencing behavioral and/or academic difficulties which pose a barrier to learning success. Not only does SAP strive to help students succeed in their classes, remain in school, and achieve their post-secondary goals, SAP also offers support to students and their families by assisting them to access school and community resources and services.

The SAP team is comprised of specially-trained educators (teachers, school counselors, nurses, instructional assistants, administrators) and other professionals who work together with community agencies to identify students who are at-risk, conduct a formal assessment of the students' needs, if applicable, and respond with coordinated school and community-based resources.

Referring a student…
If you know a child who is having trouble in or out of school, SAP can help. Do you know a child who is showing any of these behaviors?
  • Withdrawing from family, friends and/or school
  • Talking about suicide
  • Defying authority, both at home and at school
  • Depressed
  • Experimenting with drugs or alcohol
  • Acting aggressively
  • Needing money without an explanation
  • Lying
  • Unexplained physical injuries
  • Sudden drop in grades
  • Changing friends; no longer spending time with old friends
 
PAWS can also be a resource for students who are having difficulty coping with traumatic events such as:
  • Recent death of a loved one
  • Divorce of parents
  • Separation from a parent serving in the military
  • Family relocation
 
How the SAP process works…
Anyone can refer a student to the SAP team by completing a SAP referral form (available in the Counseling Office). Some students are referred by teachers and other school personnel. Any school staff member, student's friend or family member can let the SAP team know that they are worried about someone. The students themselves can even go directly to the SAP team to ask for help.

The SAP team gathers information about the student from teachers and parents and then develops a plan of action to help the student achieve success in school, which might include services and activities in school and/or services from a community agency. If it appears warranted, the SAP team will seek parent permission for the student to speak with a counselor from a community agency. The SAP team does not diagnose nor treat the students who are referred. Rather, the team provides the family with information and choices to aid in student success. The SAP team will remain in contact with the community agency counselor and the parent in order to support the student. Student and family confidentiality are respected throughout the student assistance process.

The SAP team members are:

Mrs. Kelley Romyn
Mrs. Katey Walton
Mrs. Sherri Taylor
Mrs. Brandy Shealer