Elizabethtown Area School District's Student Assistance Program (SAP) is part of a state-wide initiative designed to help school systems identify and support students who are experiencing barriers to learning. Through a systematic process, Elizabethtown's SAP will help identified students, and their families, access school and community resources with the goal of removing the barriers to learning and helping the student {SAP} succeed in school.
At the core of the program are the district's SAP teams, which are made up of school staff who have been trained to work with at-risk students. At Elizabethtown, the SAP targets students at the secondary level and is comprised of two teams: one for the middle school and one for the high school. The number one priority for each team is to help students and/or their families find the services and assistance within the school and, if needed, in the community.
How does my child become involved in the program? Students
come to the SAP team in different ways. Anyone can refer a student to
the Student Assistance Program. Some students are referred by teachers, others by fellow students, and some by a family member. A student himself/herself can even go directly to the SAP
team to ask for help. However, the SAP team will not become involved
unless parent/guardian permission is secured. If you feel your child may need help, call your child's school and ask to speak with a member of the SAP team. The SAP team and the school will respect you and your child's privacy at all times.
What are some barriers to learning? Every day, students are confronted with a variety of problems that interfere with their ability to succeed in school. These barriers are not always noticeable and may be as a result of a particular event or situation. To help families better identify barriers, a list of events and warning signs to look out for that might be a good reason for referral to the district's SAP are listed below. Events:
Recent death of a loved one
Divorce of parents
Family relocation
A relationship problem
Other traumatic event
Warning Signs:
Withdrawing from family, friends and/or school
Changing friends; no longer spends time with old friends
Unexplained physical injuries
Talking about suicide
Depressed
Defying Authority, both at home and at school
Acting aggressively
Lying
Needing money without an explanation
Sudden drop in grades
Experimenting with drugs or alcohol
EASD's SAP team does not diagnose, treat, or refer your child for treatment. Rather, we will provide you with information on appropriate resources and assist you with making a choice that will best help your child succeed in school. Remember, you are part of our team.
What Happens After I Give My Permission? There are several steps that the team will take after you sign the permission form:
Together, you and the SAP team will develop a plan of action to help your child achieve success in school. The plan might include services and activities in school and/or services from a community agency. If necessary, the SAP team will talk with you about services in the community and give you information on how to contact others who may be able to help.
The SAP team will continue to work with and support your child. They will stay in touch with you to talk about your child's progress and success in school. Your continued involvement is very important.
Questions? For questions about the district's SAP, contact Greg Kiehl, Director of Support Services, at (717) 367-1521 or greg_kiehl@etownschools.org.
