•  Student Assistance Program (SAP)
    For More Information - Contact Your Child's School Counselor

     
    Q. What is the Neshaminy School District’s Student Assistance Program?
     
    A. In Neshaminy, we call our Student Assistance Programs SAP (secondary) and ESAP
    (elementary). The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Act 211, mandated a student
    assistance program in every school district by the 1991-1992 school year. Neshaminy
    has been in the forefront of this much needed movement and we are proud to have been
    recognized on the local, state, regional and national levels for our commitment to
    students.
     
    Q. What is the overall goal of SAP and ESAP?
     
    A. SAP/ESAP identifies students whose behavior, attendance, health or grades indicate that
    they may have problems that negatively impact their accessing their
    education. SAP/ESAP identifies students who are at risk; that is, they are not evidencing
    significant problems at the moment but the probability that they will, unless some series
    of events changes the course of their lives, is higher than the norm. Through the different
    steps that comprise the student assistance process, at risk students are directed to
    appropriate services in or out of the school.
     
    Q. Who are the Team members?
     
    A. Team members are specially selected and trained volunteers who are in contact with
    many different parts of the school by virtue of being teachers, coaches, nurses, principals
    and school counselors. They have a strong, positive image with the student body, faculty
    and community.
     
    Q. How do I know when a piece of information should be brought to the
    Team? When do I refer a student? Does the Team accept hearsay evidence?
     
    A. When in doubt, tell a Team member what you know. The Team will decide if the
    evidence is substantial enough to warrant further investigation. Information must be
    firsthand; evidence substantiated.
     
    Q. How can I be sure that something I tell the Team will not involve a student
    in disciplinary trouble at school or at home?
     
    A. The specific information you give the Team is kept confidential. The Team is not
    involved in discipline, so the student will never be “busted” for anything you tell the
    Team. Students who self-refer, providing they are not under the influence of alcohol or
    other drugs nor distributing or selling same, are not subject to disciplinary action (see SB
    Policy 510).
     
    Q. What about depression and suicidal behavior?
     
    A. Except for emergencies, these cases are handled in the same manner as the other student
    assistance referrals. The social worker or the guidance counselor on the Team is the 
    person most likely to respond to these referrals and make the appropriate
    recommendation.
     
    Q. Does the Team deal with “experimental” drug use or just dependency?
     
    A. Both the District recognizes the need to deal with the health implications of lower level
    use/abuse through education and counseling.