Student Assistance Programs (SAPs) evolved from the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) model of the 1960s-1970s. Recognition of the importance of removing all barriers to work performance translated to school policy in the 1980s when SAPs developed in the vein of EAPs. SAPs at first only addressed substance abuse in students, but soon expanded to help address a wide range of issues that impede adolescent academic achievement. As Gary Anderson writes in the first published model for Student Assistance Programs, “Any student assistance program effort demonstrates that a school system recognizes, first, that such problems do plague students and, second, that a responsible system of adults must respond and help.” (Hipsley, 2001)
According to the California Student Survey, trends reveal that high rate use of alcohol or drugs by California students increase significantly in the middle and high school years. Over the last decade, eleventh grade excessive alcohol users’ and high risk drug users’ rates are typically between one-third higher and twice as high as ninth grade rates. The recent emphasis on prevention has not reduced the portion of students who use at a high rate. The goals of SAPs are to reduce students’ behavioral and disciplinary violations and substance use habits while improving school attendance and academic performance through the referral and facilitation of appropriate services.
The Governor’s Prevention Advisory Council High Rate Underage Users’ (HRUU) Workgroup
was designed to address the intervention of high rate users of alcohol among our youth. The HRUU workgroup includes representatives from several government agencies such as the California Department of Education, Attorney General’s Office, Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs, Department of Mental Health, California Parent Teacher Association, community based organizations and school administrators. Also included in this workgroup are representatives from the California Masonic Foundation. The Masons have started some of the first public schools in America and have been proponents of SAPs since the early 1980s. The Masons also provide free SAP training to school districts throughout the country.
The sources listed below will provide the following information:
- What are SAPs and why they are needed
- Data to prove the effectiveness of SAPs
- Guidelines for starting SAPs
- The cost to operate SAPs
- SAP resources and references
Bulletins
Student Assistance Program (SAP) Bulletins
These bulletins have been designed to support school administrators, teachers, counselors and other school district personnel, non-profit organizations, and agencies who are involved with SAPs.
Curricula
Positive Action
Positive Action is a nationally recognized, evidence-based program that improves academic success, behavior, and character development.
Project SUCCESS
Project SUCCESS (Schools Using Coordinated Efforts to Strengthen Students) is a school-based Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) Model program that prevents and reduces substance use among high-risk multi-problem adolescents.
Research Studies, Information and Free Materials
Join Together
Information for prevention and community action regarding substance abuse and gun violence.
Search Institute
An independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide leadership, knowledge, and resources to promote healthy children, youth, and communities. At the heart of the institute's work is the framework of 40 Developmental Assets
.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
School, family and community resource kits for prevention.
Resources
California SAP Resource Center
Resources for supporting student achievement through Student Assistance Programs.
Connecticut Governor's Prevention Partnership
The Student Assistance Program is a school-based prevention and early intervention program for students in kindergarten through twelfth grade.
Masonic Model Foundation for Children
The National Masonic Foundation for Children established in 1986, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization that seeks to promote programs in schools, particularly the Masonic Model Student Assistance Program, to identify the barriers preventing students from achieving academic success and provide intervention to help the youth of this country lead productive, useful, and healthy lives. More than 36,000 educators have attended Masonic Model training which has resulted in more than half a million school children being successfully referred to and helped by this program.
Texas Student Assistance Program Initiative
The Texas SAP Initiative (TSAPI) provides a two-day Core Team training, technical assistance, specialty topic training, and SAP-related materials to schools interested in establishing or rejuvenating a research-based, resiliency-focused Student Assistance Program.
Training and Conferences
Alameda County Office of Education: One day training
Training sessions for educators, parents and students to coordinate drug awareness and prevention efforts on campus.
Center for Applied Research Solutions (CARS)
Provides on-line training for substance abuse and mentoring professionals.
