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Camp Program Benefits Kids with Behavioral Disabilities

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Hannah Anolik, DBHIDS Summer 2019 Intern

Between the ages of 7 and 11, I “lived 10 months for two” – meaning I was obsessed with summer camp. I lived the other 10 months of the year just for those two months at camp.

Seeing my summertime best friends every day and having (what we thought of as) no rules and pure fun always felt like an escape from reality. Now, a decade or so later, I realize it was during those carefree, hot, summer days that I developed into who I am today and learning about myself.

Summer camp may just seem like a way to get kids out of the house, but it is much more than that.

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‘I AM …’: Speaker works to empower Philly preteens, July 2019

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Donovan Forrest, DBHIDS Summer 2019 Intern

Young Philadelphia boys and girls screamed their positive messages about themselves for all to hear when Donovan Forrest brought his message to them this month at Ace Camp in West Philadelphia. Ace Camp participates with the Madeline Moore Summer Camp Grant program offered by DBHIDS.

Forrest, executive director of DonCARES of Philadelphia, worked with DBHIDS Operations/Fiscal (OpsFis) unit this summer through the Mayor’s Internship Program. His activities included visits to local area summer camps that partner with the grant program.

Forrest was asked to speak to 10-, 11- and 12-year-olds July 1 at the summer program hosted at Martha Washington Elementary School, 766 N. 44th St. in the Belmont neighborhood of West Philadelphia.

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Student Assistance Program (SAP) Services

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Student Assistance Program (SAP) Services
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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