student support services
Student Assistance Program
What is SAP?
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Student Assistance Program (SAP) is designed to help school personnel identify issues—including alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, and mental health issues—that pose a barrier to student success.
The program is administered by the PA Department of Education’s Division of Student and Safe School Services in partnership with the PA Department of Health’s Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs, and the PA Department of Public Welfare’s Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
How does SAP Work?
SAP is a systemic process using techniques to mobilize school resources to remove barriers to learning. The program's core is a professionally trained team that includes school staff and liaisons from community alcohol and drug and mental health agencies. SAP team members are trained to identify problems, to determine whether the presenting problem lies within the school's responsibility, and to make recommendations to help the student and parent. When the problem lies beyond the scope of the school, the SAP team assists the parent and student in accessing services within the community. The student assistance team members do not diagnose, treat, or refer children for treatment. However, they may refer children for a screening or an assessment for treatment.
Parents have the right to be involved in the process and have full access to all school records under the applicable state and federal laws and regulations. Parent involvement in all phases of SAP is expected. This partnership is integral to the successful resolution of problems.
Who do I contact?
Reach out to your child's advisor or any of teachers or administrators and let them know you'd like your child to get support from the SAP Team. You can also email David Surovec at dsurovec@insightpa.org or fill out the Student Support Referral Form.
Additional Resources
Visit Safe2Say Something, a program that teaches you how to recognize warning signs in individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to "say something" BEFORE it's too late.
