What is Student Assistance?

In 1984 the Pennsylvania Department of Education, using federal Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities grant monies, initiated the state Student Assistance Program designed to identify barriers to student learning including drug and alcohol abuse, mental health concerns, and violence.

The Lancaster County Career & Technology Center, in compliance with Pennsylvania Department of Education guidelines and school district policies and procedures, maintains an active Student Assistance Program (SAP) which is available to all students and which is designed to compliment the existing educational program.

The purpose of the Student Assistance Program is to identify students exhibiting problem behaviors that pose a barrier to their academic and social development. The goal is to help the student and his or her family to identify problems and develop strategies to deal with these issues. The Lancaster County Career & Technology Center recognizes that many factors may impact a student´s ability to learn. By accurately identifying students experiencing difficulties, including but not limited, to substance use, emotional concerns, or other life stresses, we can assist them in realizing their full potential.

The Lancaster County Career & Technology Center Student Assistance Program does not diagnose or treat children, but gathers information and makes referral for assessment where necessary.

The Lancaster County Career & Technology Center Student Assistance Program includes the SAP team at all three campuses, namely, Brownstown, Mount Joy, and Willow Street. These student assistance teams are composed of trained administrators, counselors, school nurses, and teachers who accept referrals from parents, teachers, staff members, and students and through data gathering and planning, provide support to those students.

The Lancaster County Career & Technology Center Student Assistance Program recognizes the importance of working collaboratively with parents in order to find solutions for problems. Parents are an integral part of the data collection and planning process and are encouraged to contact the SAP team in their school with any concerns.

What is the SAP Process?

• Identification: Following a referral, parents, teacher and student´s counselor are asked to submit information that will help to determine if an assessment is appropriate.
• Intervention: The SAP team reviews the information and determines if an assessment is in order.
• Assessment: All assessments are conducted by community professionals who specialize in adolescent problems and who work with the Lancaster County Student Assistance Program.
• Treatment: If the assessor recommends treatment, the student and the parents will be assisted in contacting the proper agency and making arrangements to begin treatment.
• Reintegration: Following treatment, a support system, monitored by the SAP team, assists the student in continuing the progress begun in treatment.