The Pennsylvania Student Assistance Program (SAP) is a systematic team process used to mobilize school resources to remove barriers to learning. SAP is designed to assist in identifying issues including alcohol, tobacco, other drugs and mental health issues that pose a barrier to a student’s success. The primary goal of the SAP is to help students overcome these barriers so that they may achieve, advance and remain in School.

The core of Student Assistance Program is professionally trained team, including school staff and liaisons from the community of drug and alcohol and mental health agencies. SAP team members are trained to identify issues, determine whether or not the presenting issue lies in the responsibility, and to make a recommendation to assist the student and the parent. When the issue lies beyond the scope of the school, the SAP team will assist the parent and student so they may access services in the community. SAP team members do not diagnose or treat. A liaison may refer a student for further screen and assessments from community-based services and support.