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Guidance » Elementary Student Assistance Program

Elementary Student Assistance Program

E.S.A.P

  • What is E.S.A.P?   

     The Elementary Student Assistance (E.S.A.P) is a program mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This district is devoted to the academic,physical and emotional well-being of our students, and because of that we developed our Elementary Student Assistance Program. It is our endeavor to provide any assistance we can to ensure that our students get a sound foundation for life.

  • Reasons for a Referral

Sometimes we forget how difficult elementary school can be. These students are faced with brand new people and experiences for the first time in their young lives. Often, the little things in life can be overwhelming to a small child. Our E.S.A.P. team can help students deal with many challenges such as:

Stress,Peer Pressure, Depression, Grief, Separation, Relationships, Drug/Alcohol Use, Custody Issues, Victims of Sexual/Physical Abuse

  • Warning Signs
Eating Disorder, Drop in grades, Wanting to miss school, Change in personal appearance, Erratic behavior, Frequent illness,Theft, Change of friends, Death, Divorce/Change in family dynamic,Possessing/selling drugs or alcohol, Talking about harming oneself or another,Feelings of hopelessness or helplessness
  • Who Can Make a Referral?
Parents, Grandparents, Teachers, Friends,School Counselor, Other Relatives, School Personnel, Community Agencies*Parent/guardian permission for a student’s participation in E.S.A.P is required and parent involvement in the program is necessary for its success.
  • Special Services

In addition to the specially–trained school personnel, local agencies also provide professionals who can be team members. Personnel from Mental Health,Children and Youth Services, the Drug and Alcohol Commission and Probation advise the team to ensure that the student is getting the best services available. These agencies help us to provide services such as those listed below:

Crisis Services, Referrals to Outside Agencies, Special-topic Groups (grief, divorce,etc.), Mental Health, Counseling, Drug and Alcohol Assessments,Prevention/Education Groups and Counseling

  • The E.S.A.P Process
Referral: Anyone can make a referral, afterwards the SAP team contacts the parent for permission to proceed with the SAP process.

Team Planning: The SAP team gathers objective information about the student’s performance in school from all school personnel who have contact with the student as well as from the parent/guardian. The team meets with the parent to discuss data collected and also meets with the student. Together, a plan is developed that includes strategies for removing the learning barriers and promoting the student’s academic and personal success to include in-school and/or community-based services and activities.

Intervention and Recommendations: The plan is put into action. The team assists in linking the student to in-school and/or community-based services and activities. The team might recommend a drug and alcohol or mental health assessment.
 
Support and Follow-up: The SAP team continues to work with and support the student and their family. Follow-up includes monitoring, mentoring, and motivating for academic success. It is the parent’s right to be involved in the process and to have full access to all school records under the applicable state and federal laws and regulations. Involvement of parents in all phases of the student assistance program underscores the parent’s role and responsibility in the decision making process affecting their children’s education, and is key to the successful resolution of problems.

 Pennsylvania State Student Assistance Program Site:

http://www.sap.state.pa.us./