Student Assistance Program (SAP) Services

• All youth are eligible to participate
• The Student Assistance Program (SAP) is a mandated K-12 program, as stated in the public school code
• An SAP team is made up of school and agency staff who are available to assist parents in accessing school and community services for your child
• SAP teams do not diagnose or treat
• In Pennsylvania, every school district is required to have a plan for identifying and assisting students who experience barriers to learning
• Prevention and Screening Referrals provided for BH and Substance Abuse
• Require consent from legal guardian
• All schools are assigned a specific SAP provider based upon School District Learning Network
• DBHIDS contracts with four agencies ( CORA, Einstein, Northwest Human Services, and Shalom Inc.), with a total of 11 SAP assessors available for the entire city
• SAP assessment services are available within all Philadelphia public schools, including some charter, private and parochial schools
• During the past year, over 1000 students received SAP services

The SAP Process:

• A teacher or other school personnel referral initiates the SAP process, ( the child can also self-refer)
• Parent is notified and consent is obtained
• SAP Assessor meets with parents and student
• Behavioral health assessment (mental health & drug/ alcohol) is completed with the student.
• Recommendations are shared with parents and SAP team, if consent is given by student.
• The Assessor works with parents to make linkages to the appropriate services in the community.

Does your Child Exhibit Any of These Behaviors?

• Withdrawing from family and friends/ activities
• Changing friends
• Unexplained physical injuries
• Feeling sad
• Talks about suicide
• Defies authority, both at home and school
• Acts aggressively
• Hitting
• Lying
• Needs money without explanation
• Declining grades
• Experimenting with drugs/ alcohol