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SAP Connection February 2026

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 resources available on the PA Network for Student Assistance Services (PNSAS) website. PNSAS regularly updates documents and adds additional resources to the site. The SAP Connection articles will review available resources each month to assist SAP teams and other stakeholders.

What is SAP team maintenance and how often should it occur?

Team maintenance includes those activities and interactions designed to promote cooperation and respectful working relationships among SAP team members. Its purpose is to maintain the health of the team and to ensure the quality of the SAP process so that SAP teams effectively work together as a problem-solving group. The best practice is for the school entity to provide time for team maintenance sessions at least once or twice a year. All members including SAP liaisons should attend maintenance activities. For at least one session, it is advisable for the facilitator to be a non-team member, knowledgeable of group dynamics and SAP.Fidelity to the SAP model is critical to a high functioning team and supporting students. PNSAS has published the SAP Fidelity Checklist that can help you assess your school entity and team’s functioning.PNSAS has also created SAP Team Functioning Survey that can be used to gain insight from team members on areas of strength and improvement of your team.

Other maintenance activities may include reviewing your PDE 4092 data, improving MTSS integration or navigating school-based outpatient treatment in your school building. PNSAS has developed documents to assist your team in these areas.

Check out the Overview of Practical Guidance for Exploring the Integration and Alignment of the Student Assistance Program with a Multi-Tiered System of Support and the Practical Guidance for Exploring the Integration and Alignment of the Student Assistance Program (SAP) with a Multi-Tiered System of Support. For assistance with considerations for outpatient treatment in schools, PNSAS has published the Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services in Schools: Considerations for Schools and Providers. This document provides recommendations to promote improved communication between schools and providers around the shared goal of supporting students and their families.

Please reach out to your PNSAS Regional Coordinator for assistance.

Announcements

PASAP Annual Conference - The Pennsylvania Association of Student Assistance Professionals (PASAP) is hosting their annual conference on February 22nd - 24th in State College.Registration is open! Find more information at www.pasap.org.

Suicide Prevention PSA Contest -Prevent Suicide PA’s PSA contest entry period has closed. School voting will open on 2/5/26. Public voting begins 2/20/26. Find out more here!

View previous winners here - all videos and poster images are available here for your use!

DDAP Launches Family Learning Series - Supporting Loved Ones Affected by Substance Use DisorderThe Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) has launched a Family Learning Series for family members, loved ones, and friends supporting someone with a substance use disorder.

This free video series can be shared by providers as a starting point for families to understand treatment and recovery, set healthy boundaries, support children when a parent has a substance use disorder, care for their mental and emotional health, and connect to prevention, treatment, and recovery supports in Pennsylvania.

Key details

Open access; no login or account required
Each video is approximately 10–15 minutes
Each module includes related resources for families

The series was developed in response to feedback from Pennsylvanians seeking guidance on how to support a loved one and navigate available services. Feedback collected through brief surveys linked to each video will inform future modules.

Access the Family Learning Series on DDAP’s website.

2026 Suicide Prevention Conference – “Artificial Intelligence + Human Connection”The annual Services for Teens At Risk (STAR) Center Suicide Prevention Conference will be held on Friday, May 15, 2026.

More details coming soon!

Find more information here.