Student Assistance Program (GAP)

 

Glendale’s Student Assistance Program

G.A.P. TEAM MEMBERS INCLUDE:

Arnold Nadonley—Superintendent                                              Kimberly Kozak—High School Guidance Counselor

Deborah Neyman—G.A.P. District Coordinator/                        Rick Kozak—Learning Support Teacher

                                                Testing Coordinator

Gary Walstrom—High School Principal                                     John Kutz—Health and Phys. Ed. Teacher         

Rick Stackhouse—Assistant High School Principal               Georgia Rice—Science Teacher

Ginger Bakaysa—Supervisor of Special Education                 Gena Worthington—High School Librarian

Lin McCombie—School Nurse                                                     Amy Snyder—Health and Phys. Ed. Teacher

Ray Peterson—Cambria County liaison                                    Julie Strouse—Clearfield County liaison

  

WHAT IS “The G.A.P.”?

The G.A.P. is the Student Assistance Program (SAP) at Glendale.  It is a systemic process using techniques to mobilize school resources to remove barriers to learning. The core of the program is a professionally trained team, including school staff and liaisons from community alcohol and drug and mental health agencies.    

SAP team members are trained to identify problems, determine whether or not the presenting problem lies within the responsibility of the school and to make recommendations to assist the student and the parent.  

When the problem lies beyond the scope of the school, the SAP team will assist the parent and student so they may access services within the community.  The student assistance team members do not diagnose, treat or refer to treatment; but they may refer for a screening or an assessment for treatment.

 

FOUR PHASES OF STUDENT ASSISTANCE

Referral- Anyone can refer a student to SAP when they are concerned about someone’s behavior -- any school staff, a student’s friend, a family member or community member.  The students themselves can even go directly to the SAP team to ask for help.  The SAP team contacts the parent for permission to proceed with the SAP process.

Team Planning – The SAP team gathers objective information about the student’s performance in school from all school personnel who have contact with the student.  Information is also collected from the parent.  The team meets with the parent to discuss the data collected and also meets with the student. Together, a plan is developed that includes strategies for removing the learning barriers and promoting the student’s academic and personal success to include in-school and/or community-based services and activities.

Intervention and Recommendations– The plan is put into action.  The team assists in linking the student to in-school and/or community-based services and activities.   The team might recommend a drug and alcohol or mental health assessment. 

Support and Follow-Up– The SAP team continues to work with and support the student and their family.  Follow-up includes monitoring, mentoring, and motivating for academic success. 

 

WHAT SHOULD I DO?

                Look for early warning signals…

  • a decline in school performance
  • absenteeism or chronic lateness
  • a change in friends or appearance
  • emotional problems or erratic behavior

When you think a problem is serious or when a situation concerns you…

  • depression                                
  • suicidal thoughts
  • bullying
  • drug/alcohol abuse
  • eating disorders
  • anxiety

                                   

Make a referral.    (referral form)  <LINK COMING SOON>

  (print this form, fill it out, and place it in the referral box outside the guidance office.)

                                                                                                OR

Open this form (referral form) <LINK COMING SOON>

 copy and paste it into this email (mailto:dneyman@gsd1.org), <LINK COMING SOON>

fill it out and click send. 

 

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 

It is the parent’s right to be involved in the process and to have full access to all school records under the applicable state and federal laws and regulations.  Involvement of parents in all phases of the student assistance program underscores the parents’ role and responsibility in the decision–making process affecting their children’s education and is key to the successful resolution of problems.

The student assistance process is based upon state guidelines, professional standards and policies, and procedures adopted by the local school board of directors.  Professional training for team members in all phases of the student assistance process, which is consistent with state guidelines and conducted by a Commonwealth approved training provider, is required to ensure the appropriateness of the recommended services, effective interagency collaboration and compliance with state and federal laws protecting the privacy rights of parents and students.

For those students receiving treatment through a community agency, the student assistance team, in collaboration with parents and the agency, can assist in helping plan in-school support services during and after treatment.  The team’s effectiveness in helping the student and the parent remove the learning barriers and improve student performance depends on the level of commitment by everyone involved and the available resources in both the school and the community.

 

BRIDGING THE G.A.P.

The G.A.P. is a support system put in place in order to help our students achieve academic success.  It is not a disciplinary arm of the school.  The program is designed to reach out to those students who may be experiencing a barrier to learning.  It is both comprehensive and confidential.  If at any time you have questions about student assistance or The G.A.P., please do not hesitate to call the high school office at 687-4261 and ask to speak to a G.A.P. team member.