MIDDLE SCHOOL GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT
What is the Student Assistance Program (SAP)?
SAP is a systemic process using techniques to mobilize school resources to remove barriers to learning. The core of the program is a professionally trained team, including school staff and liaisons from community alcohol and drug and mental health agencies. SAP team members are trained to help identify problems, determine whether or not the presenting problem lies within the responsibility of the school and to make recommendations to assist the student and the parent. When the problem lies beyond the scope of the school, the SAP team will assist the parent and student so they may access services within the community. The student assistance team members do not diagnose, treat or refer to treatment; but they may refer for a screening or an assessment for treatment.
There are four phases to the student assistance process:
Referral - Anyone can refer a student to SAP when they are concerned about someone’s behavior -- school staff, a student’s friend, a family member or community member. The students themselves can even go directly to the SAP team to ask for help. SAP team members are identified in the school building with a printed red hand on their window or door. 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. Information is also collected from the parent. The team meets with the parent to discuss the data collected and also meets with the student. Together, a plan is developed that includes strategies for removing 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 if needed.
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 overall student success.
Members of the Lehighton Middle School SAP Team for the 2022-23 school year include:
Mrs. Michele Dobrowski, Office Secretary
Mr. Stephen Ebbert, Middle School Principal
Ms. Samantha Elias, School Counselor
Mrs. Lori German, School Nurse
Ms. Carrie Kenny, Social Worker
Mrs. Jennifer Kunkel, Math Teacher
Ms, Sara Jean Rotenberger, Music Teacher
Mrs. Julie Solt, Science Teacber
Please use the following link to complete a referral to the SAP program for a Middle School student:
