Student Assistance Program (SAP)
Helping Schools identify barriers, connect students with support,
and strengthen student success.
Inspired Wellness partners with schools to support their Student Assistance Programs through collaboration, consultation, assessment, intervention, and connection to appropriate school and community resources. Our SAP professionals work alongside school teams to help identify concerns, support students and families, and develop meaningful plans that address barriers to learning and student well-being.
What is the student assistance program?
The Pennsylvania Student Assistance Program (SAP) is a team-based process designed to help schools identify and address barriers that may be affecting a student’s ability to learn, succeed, and remain engaged at school. Concerns may include mental health, substance use, attendance, academic performance, social or behavioral challenges, or other circumstances affecting a student’s success.
SAP brings together school personnel, families, students, and community resources to identify concerns and connect students with appropriate supports. Pennsylvania SAP
SAP is not therapy. It is a collaborative process for identifying concerns, developing supports, and connecting students and families with appropriate resources.
How the SAP Process Works
A concern is identified and shared with the SAP team for review.
The team gathers objective information to better understand the student’s strengths, needs, and areas of concern.
The team works with the student and family to identify appropriate school and community supports.
The team monitors progress, maintains communication, and adjusts supports as appropriate.
A collaborative partnership for your SAP Team
Inspired Wellness believes effective SAP support is built through relationships, consistency, communication, and collaboration. Our SAP professionals work alongside school teams to provide mental health expertise while helping schools navigate concerns, identify appropriate supports, engage families, and connect students with additional resources when needed.
Consistent Partnership
Building relationships with school teams and becoming familiar with the needs and culture of the school community.
Mental Health Expertise
Bringing a mental health perspective to conversations surrounding student concerns and barriers to success.
Family & Student Support
Helping students and families understand available supports and navigate next steps.
Connection to Resources
Helping connect families with appropriate school, community, and mental health resources when additional support is needed.
When there’s a concern about a student …
A SAP referral may begin when someone notices a change or concern related to a student’s academic performance, attendance, behavior, emotional well-being, substance use, relationships, or overall functioning.
Referrals may come from school staff, parents or caregivers, students, or others who are concerned about a student’s well-being. Pennsylvania’s SAP guidance notes that anyone can refer a student when there is concern about the student’s behavior.
If you are a parent or guardian concerned about your child, contact your child’s school to learn more about its Student Assistance Program and referral process.
Strengthen Your School’s SAP Support
Whether your school is looking to strengthen an existing SAP team or explore additional mental health support for students and families, Inspired Wellness can work with your team to understand your needs and determine how we may be able to help.