Saltsburg Middle-High School Guidance Office

Student Assistance Program

The Student Assistance Program is mandated throughout all public secondary schools in PA.  It is designed to assist school personnel to identify student issues, including alcohol and other drugs, which pose a barrier to their learning and school success.

Our mission is to help students and their families, encourage healthy coping skills, and to increase school success. Students' health, safety, and welfare are always of utmost importance. 

The SAP team includes teachers, counselors, administrative staff, etc.  These individuals are specially trained to identify problems, determine whether or not the presenting problem lies within the responsibility of the school and offer resources to assist the student and parent.  It is neither the mission of the school nor its responsibility, to resolve all problems that impact upon school performance.

Involvement of parents in all phases of the SAP underscores the parents’ role and responsibility in the decision making process affecting their children's education and is the key to successful resolution of problems.

School personnel, peers, students themselves, or family members may refer students to the SAP Team.  Any person who is concerned about a student is encouraged to refer that student by completing a referral form located below.

Some signs and symptoms of students who may be referred to the SAP Team are:

Decline in grades/academic performance

Poor Attendance

Change in friends, behavior or attitude

School Phobia

Health Problems

Violation of School and District Policy/Rules

Alcohol and other drug usage

Family issues/Stress/Violence

Being at Risk for Suicide or Other Mental Problems

Being a Victim of Violence/Abuse

Eating, Sleeping or Grooming Changes

Please visit www.sap.state.pa.us for more information.

SAP Resources
Referral Form SAP Brochure
BSSD SAP PowerPoint Presentation SAP Parent Permission Form
Mental Health Assessment Form Drug & Alcohol Assessment Form