WHAT IS THE SAP PROGRAM?
The Student Assistance Program (SAP) aims to identify and help troubled students and their families and to encourage healthy coping skills. The program provides confidential services for students whose personal concerns may be affecting their performance or behavior at school and home. The students are encouraged to use the program for help with family problems, emotional concerns, problems with relationships or self-esteem, alcohol and other drug abuse, and eating disorders. Many students become involved in the program because they are concerned about a friend or family member. The program offers support and educational groups, peer mediation, information and referral services, and individual sessions.
WHAT DOES THE SAP COUNSELOR DO?
The SAP counselor helps students develop healthy coping skills, make positive lifestyle choices and avoid substance abuse problems. Services are also provided for students whose lives have been affected by their own or someone else's use of alcohol or other drugs. Some students who use the program are not involved with substances, but are simply looking for help with other personal problems.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Parents and teachers can refer a student to the SAP counselor that they are concerned about. They can do so via phone or email. Students may simply come and talk to the SAP counselor in person or put a note in the SAP mailbox to set up a time to meet.
When you first meet with the SAP counselor he/she will discuss your situation with you and may request that you fill out a questionnaire. The SAP will tell you about the services that are available in the school or community that can help you. You may choose to see the counselor again, or you and the counselor may decide that a referral to a group or community support resource may be more helpful.
Your participation is completely voluntary unless your are referred for violating RMS's chemical use policy. Teachers may refer you to the program if your school work is slipping or if you are frequently absent or tardy, because they care about you and want to help. Friends or parents may refer you if they notice a change in your mood or behavior.
Although the SAP can assist in providing the names of treatment professionals and other community resources, the decision to seek these services is the full responsibility of the student and their family.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Confidentiality is the cornerstone of the SAP. If you contact the program, no one will know unless you tell them. No information will travel from the program to anyone else without your permission. Exceptions to that rule are in cases where the individual expresses suicidal or homicidal intent, and in those cases the appropriate people will be contacted. The counselor must also report cases of abuse and neglect.
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