What is SAP?
The Pennsylvania Student Assistance Program (SAP) utilizes a team process, mobilizing school resources to remove barriers to learning; it is NOT a treatment program.
SAP is designed to identify academic, social, attendance, substance use, mental health, and other concerns that pose a barrier to student success. The primary goal of the Student Assistance Program is to help students overcome these barriers so that they may achieve, advance, and remain in school.
SAP Team at Notre Dame:
Mrs. Brandie Uliana (Guidance) buliana@ndcrusaders.org
Mrs. Lee Pavan (Guidance) lpavan@ndcrusaders.org
Mrs. Dena Farrell (Asst. Principal) dfarrell@ndcrusaders.org
Mr. Jonathan Slabek (Asst. Principal) jslabek@ndcrusaders.org
Mrs. Ellen Klabunde (Teacher) eklabunde@ndcrusaders.org
Mr. Beck Dolphin (Teacher) bdolphin@ndcrusaders.org
Mrs. Kendra Broscius (Nurse) kbroscius@ndcrusaders.org
Mrs. Kelly Weber (Staff) kweber@ndcrusaders.org
SAP Process:
The Student Assistance Program (SAP) process in Pennsylvania is a collaborative effort to help students overcome barriers to their success in school:
Referral: A teacher or other school staff member, a parent, or friend, or even the student themselves, can initiate a referral to SAP.
- Information Gathering: Observation forms are sent to the student’s teachers, school counselor, and nurse.
- Notification: The parent is notified and consent is obtained.
- Assessment: An SAP Assessor meets with the student and parents to conduct a behavioral health assessment. This includes mental health and drug/alcohol assessments.
- Recommendations: The Assessor shares recommendations with the parents and SAP team if the student gives consent.
- Community resources: The Assessor works with the parents to connect them with the appropriate community services.
SAP Guidelines – Behaviors that warrant a referral include but are not limited to:
- Academic decline
- Disciplinary problems
- Decreased attention span
- Observable expressions of anger or sadness
- Frequent visits to the school nurse or guidance office
- Observable behaviors such as excessive talking in class, laughing inappropriately, poor anger management, or repeated disrespect to staff members