HOW PROGRAMS WORK
- Creates an in-school resource to support students who exhibit behaviors that interfere with their education
- Engages administrators, faculty, staff, students, parents and community partners to become actively engaged in the referral process
- Accepts referrals from school staff, students, parents and community partners
- Gathers information about the student's strengths and behaviors of concern
- Interviews the student and his or her parents/guardians and gathers information about the student's strengths and behaviors of concern
- Creates a Student Assistance Team which develops an action plan for the student
- Reviews the plan with the student and the student's parents/guardians
- Implements strategies and monitors the student's progress
- Makes referrals to appropriate in-school and community-based resources
- Periodically reviews the plan
- Provides ongoing support and assistance
- Evaluates the process and outcomes
Top Ten Reasons Why Student Assistance Programs Work
- Students develop coping skills to handle difficulties and achieve more at school.
- Educators demonstrate their commitment to helping young people succeed.
- Students and their families are engaged as resources in the process.
- The success of the program supports educators' confidence that they do make a positive difference in their students' lives.
- Teachers help other teachers.
- Student Assistance Programs are based on proven research.
- The team acquires a bank of successful strategies and useful resources.
- Educators actively work together as a team to generate the best ideas to help students.
- The team lifts the burden of individual teachers by problem solving with them.
- Programs draw on the best ideas of each team member and build on the expertise and resources available in the school and community.