STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ESAP)

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CLARA BARTON’S ELEMENTARY STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ESAP)

 

 

What is SAP?

  • In PA, every school must have a Student Assistance Program (SAP).  A SAP team, made up of school personnel and a member from “Bucks County Council,” is available to help students and families access school and community services.
  • ESAP is confidential.
  • ESAP referrals may be found in the staff lounge and may be submitted in the front office in the envelope marked “ESAP Referrals”.
  • ESAP is for students who are failing in school for reasons other than academics.  Often times when a student is referred to ESAP, he/she is exhibiting a cluster of general behavioral changes, attendance changes, social problems, and physical warning signals, i.e., blood shot eyes. 
  • ESAP referrals are made after other interventions have been attempted, however have not worked (e.g., phone calls home, classroom behavioral plans, or usual academic interventions).  Please make sure you document such interventions and include them with your referral.

There is a four step process for ESAP:

1)      Referral.

  • Any staff member, student, or parent may refer a student to ESAP.

2)      Team planning meeting.

  • This is when the team meets to discuss the referral.  The team meets every other Tuesday at 8:25 a.m.  If a case is opened, a case manager is assigned.  He/she will then collect data from each staff member the student comes in contact with throughout the day.  It is vital for all teachers and specialists to return the data sheets within the time allotted in order for our team to recommend the appropriate services.

3)      Intervention and Recommendation.

  • Not all ESAP cases reach the intervention level.  At this meeting, the ESAP team invites the students’ parent(s)/guardian(s) in to review the data.  The student and his/her family are then linked to school and/or community based services and activities.  

4)      Support and Follow-Up.

  • The team continues to work and support the student and his/her family.  The case manager collects data from the students’ teachers and specialists periodically to check if any changes in behavior, attendance, academics, or appearance have occurred. 

RTI, Social Work, SAP…Where do I refer the student?

  • If a student is having academic concerns and you have attempted several interventions that have not worked, it is an RTI referral.  Please make sure you include documented academic supports/ interventions.
  • If a student is having emotional, behavioral, or social concerns that need to be immediately addressed, it is a social work referral.
  • If there are several clusters of problems and underlying issues, it is an ESAP referral.
  • If the student went to a superintendent hearing, it is an ESAP referral.
  • When in doubt, ask an ESAP team member:

Mr. Ciarrocchi                         Mrs. Besack                 Mrs. Lubin

Mrs. Carberry                          Ms. Jody                      Mrs. Vecchiolli

Mrs. Causey                             Mrs. Joy                       Mrs. Phillips

Mr. Conrey                              Nurse Marsden            Mrs. Merk