The student assistance program provides appropriate counseling and support services for students who are at risk for potentially harmful behaviors. The program is designed to assist school personnel to identify issues, including alcohol, drugs, mental health, abuse and others, that pose a barrier to a student's learning and school success. Student assistance is not a treatment program, it is a systematic process to mobilize school resources to remove learning barriers.
When the problem is beyond the scope of the school, the student assistance program assists the parent/guardian and the student with information so they may access services within the community. Student assistance team members do not diagnose, treat or refer for treatment; but they may refer for an assessment for treatment. It is the right of the parent(s)/ guardian(s) to be involved in the process and to have full access to all school records under applicable state and federal laws and regulations. Involvement of the parent(s)/guardian(s) in all phases of the student assistance program underscores the parental role and responsibility in the decision-making affecting their child's education, which is the key to the successful resolution of problems.
The core of the program is a professionally trained team, including school staff and liaisons from community agencies, who process issues based upon the state guidelines, professional standards and policies and procedures adopted by the local board of directors.
Many issues can impact upon a child's performance in school; however, it is neither the mission of the school nor its responsibility to resolve all problems that impact upon school performance. Student assistance team members are trained to identify problems, determine whether or not the presenting problem lies within the responsibility of the school and make recommendations to assist the student and the parent(s)/guardian(s).