What are Student Assistance Programs?

A Substance Awareness/Student Assistance Program provides a comprehensive framework for the delivery of K- 12 universal, targeted and selected prevention/intervention strategies and programs. Student Assistance services are designed to reduce risk factors, promote protective factors and increase asset development. read entire text...

Why are SAPs Needed?

The use of alcohol and other drugs, particularly marijuana, is widespread among high school students. In New Jersey, by the 11th grade 51% of students will have used alcohol or used marijuana at least once. The percentage of New Jersey high school students who reported both lifetime and recent marijuana use was almost identical in 2009 and 2005.
read entire text...

The Role and Value of a Student Assistance Coordinator

A strikingly large percentage of school-aged children in the United States are in crisis.  Drug and alcohol abuse, violence, bullying, depression, suicide, stress and anxiety disorders, gambling, eating disorders, gang involvement, and other social/emotional issues threaten the well-being of all students, their families, and society as a whole.  As the problems have escalated in recent years, so have the demands on schools throughout the country to address them.  Legislators and government officials, boards of education, school administrators, teachers, parents, and students themselves, understand that school success is predicated on a safe and healthy learning environment, and that learning objectives are frequently undermined by psycho-social, emotional, and behavioral problems. read entire text...
 

The Role of the SAC PowerPoint Presentation

Effectiveness of Student Assistance Coordinators

Although SAPs proliferated across the nation in the 1980's and were adopted by individual schools, districts and entire states, few evaluations documenting the results of these programs were ever published.  Nevertheless, evaluations of programs that fit a general model of SAP-type programs can be used to provide empirical, if not rigorous, evidence oncerning the efficacy of these models in achieving certain outcomes for students served. read entire text...