Download December 2024 SAP Newsletter
SAP Connection December 2024
A monthly newsletter brought to you by PA Network for Student Assistance Services (PNSAS)
SAP Interagency
Department of Drug & Alcohol Programs (DDAP)
PA Department of Education (PDE)
Department of Human Services (DHS)
This year’s SAP articles will focus on the four phases of SAP. The PA Network for Student Assistance Services has updated SAP training. These articles will review essential tasks in each phase
and highlight any changes in the new training model. The four phases of SAP are: referral, data collection, action planning, and follow-up.
This month we are continuing to talk about Data Collection. Another important source of data in the SAP process is the initial parent conversation. The purpose of the initial parent conversation is to explain SAP,
build rapport, share strengths and concerns regarding the student, gather data from the parent, and obtain written permission for SAP. When explaining SAP to the parent, be sure to clearly explain the steps in
the SAP process. You should use collected student data and focus on observable behaviors to better engage parents. Be sure to gather strengths from the parent, as well as their perspective on concerns they are
noticing at home. It is important to empathize and validate their feelings in this conversation. Give information to the parent on how they follow up with questions and explain the process for obtaining written
permission for SAP. The Initial Parent Conversation Checklist is a helpful resource for having these conversations.
Once you have received parent permission, another helpful source of data is the student conversation. This conversation provides an opportunity to hear from the student directly, capture their perspective,
and learn more about them. Similar to the parent conversations, a primary purpose of the student conversation is to build rapport and validate the student. Prioritize getting to know the student’s interests/passions,
strengths, struggles, and supports to help the student feel understood. Asking open-ended developmentally appropriate questions can help gather the student’s perspective on their strengths and challenges. Explain
SAP in a way that is easy to understand and ask if they have any questions about the process. The Initial Student Conversation Checklist may be a helpful resource and includes some suggestions of questions that
may be helpful in talking with the student to learn more about them.
These conversations can help your SAP team collect valuable data on the strengths, concerns, and culture of the family. This data, along with behavior checklists and other school data, can be used to drive the
selection of both school- and community-based supports that will help the student be successful in the next phase - Action Planning.
Please reach out to your PNSAS Regional Coordinator for assistance.
Announcements
PASAP Conference Registration is Open - The Pennsylvania Association of Student Assistance Professionals is hosting their annual conference on February 23-25, 2025 in State College. Registration is now open and more
information can be found by clicking here.
SAP Retraining & Refresher - PNSAS is pleased to announce that over 1,000 individuals have participated in SAP Retraining & Refresher sessions!
Trainings were held both statewide and locally.
If you are interested and were unable to register before sessions closed, please reach out to your Regional Coordinator to inquire about availability of additional sessions.
2023 PA Youth Survey Data - 2023 County and Statewide PAYS reports are available here. You can also request local PAYS data from your Superintendent. Monthly webinars on using PAYS data and other PAYS resources are offered
by EpisCenter through 1st Wednesday at 1pm Webinar series. Register to attend these webinars or access other PAYS Resources here.
2025 PSA Contest for Youth Suicide Prevention - Prevent Suicide PA is excited to announce the 13th annual PSA contest for high school students. This is a great opportunity to engage students in a dialogue around suicide prevention, the importance of positive messaging, and communicating effectively.
All submissions are due by Friday, December 20th, 2024. This year we are introducing a deadline for students who would like feedback on their submissions. Students who would like our feedback on their PSAs before they are judged must submit their PSAs by Friday, December 6th, 2024. Contest rules and submission guidelines will be available on the PSA website soon.
We’re introducing a PSA Contest Toolkit. This toolkit includes updated rules and submission guidelines, tips on how to promote the contest, social media shareables, and a list of suicide prevention resources. All the winning and honorable mention PSAs from previous years are available for free public use including 2024 winners here. These are great resources to use during Suicide Prevention Month (September) and throughout the year.
New 2023-2024 SAP Infographics Now Available - The SAP PDE 4092 Infographic data shows SAP teams in PA received 96,518 referrals in 2023-2024. Of those referrals, 33.1% of referrals were at the elementary level, with referrals peaking in 9th grade. The top referral sources reported were Instructional Staff and School Mental Health Professionals. The top referral reasons reported were Externalizing and Internalizing Behaviors.
The SAP Liaison Services Infographic data shows liaisons participated in 30,444 SAP team meetings in 2023-2024. A total of 20,462 students were screened or assessed for suicidal ideation. Liaisons completed 15,220 screenings and 17,028 assessments in 2023-2024. Of those completed liaison assessments, 72.5% were Mental Health assessments, 11.5% were Drug & Alcohol assessments, and 16.0% were Co-Occurring Assessments.
Both infographics are located on the PNSAS website at www.pnsas.org/data.
Training Opportunities
SAP Training - For upcoming training opportunities, click here.
Grants
For open PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) grant
opportunities, click here.