I.  Introduction - What is the Student Assistance Program? 

A segment of the Seton High School student community experiences a multiple of social and emotional problems evident within the students body:  mood disorders, suicidal ideation, chemical abuse, eating disorders, relationship issues, absenteeism, academic performance, and discipline issues.   These concerns affect not only their ability to be successful at school, but also at home and in their community. 

Many local grade schools are currently addressing this problem with Student Assistance Programs (St. Lawrence, St. William, Resurrection, Holy Family, St. Vincent de Paul, etc.).   It is Seton High School’s intention to continue to extend this service into each student’s high school career.   For Seton’s mission statement professes that Seton High School wishes to “develop women of faith and commitment within a Catholic Christian community.”  Therefore, the Student’s Assistance Program currently assists and hopes to continue to assist this underserved population to build a healthy community of successful young women.

II.  Services Provided by the Student Assistant Program (SAP) 

The Core Team of the SAP addresses factors impacting a student’s ability to be successful at school, at home, and in their community.  It is a holistic approach providing education, social support, and self–awareness to students and their families to foster their intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, and physical growth.  By addressing the underlying obstacles that affect students’ abilities to succeed, the program intends to promote self-efficacy and personal well being. 

 Interventions:  

SAP will extend the mission and services of Seton High School with the following interventions:

·          Needs Assessment: The social workers, administrators and counselors will meet quarterly to review student records and identify students at-risk.

·          Direct Service: The social workers will provide individual and group counseling to students at-risk and their families and create individualized plans of action with students regarding their concern.

·          Consultation and Referral: The social workers will consult with administration, faculty, staff, parents, and outside professionals regarding the concerns of students at-risk. When appropriate, the social workers will refer students and their families to outside professionals. Social Workers will act as liaisons between home, school, and outside providers to provide continuity of services for students in need of further intervention (students experiencing depression, eating disorders, abuse, suicide ideation, etc).  The social workers will communicate with feeder school personnel (principals, pastors, youth leaders, and social workers) regarding current and incoming students and families.

·          Education: The social workers will provide prevention and intervention opportunities to the administration, faculty, staff, parents and students through mini-workshops, presentations, study sessions, and a program web page.

·          Faculty and Peer Mentoring - The SAP will train a team to serve students who are identified as “at risk”  (students who fail 2 or more classes, have a history of excessive tardies and absences, and have accumulated 9 or more conduct points per quarter).