Help Is Down the Hall
Student Assistance Program Overview
What is a Student Assistance Program?
A Student Assistance Program (SAP) is a school-based service designed to provide students with support for personal, emotional, social, and behavioral challenges that may affect their learning and success. Similar to an Employee Assistance Program in the workplace, an SAP connects students and families with resources, guidance, and referrals to help them thrive academically and personally.
👉 Watch the adjacent video to learn more.
What is a Student Assistance Program?
SOOAR’s Student Assistance Program (SAP) helps students overcome challenges that interfere with their success in school. Much like an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), SAP offers a safe, confidential, and supportive space where students can get help with personal, emotional, behavioral, or academic concerns.
Through a Problem Identification & Referral process, school staff can refer students who may be struggling. Our trained prevention specialists then provide:
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Initial assessment to identify needs and barriers
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Short-term support and skill-building to address issues early
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Referrals to appropriate resources when ongoing or specialized help is needed
Common concerns addressed include stress, peer pressure, family issues, substance use, bullying, grief, and other challenges that impact learning and behavior.
Expulsion Diversion
Expulsion diversion is an intervention strategy within the Student Assistance Program that provides students who are at risk of being expelled with structured support and alternatives to removal from school.
Instead of being excluded from the learning environment, students are:
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Assessed for underlying issues (academic struggles, behavioral concerns, trauma, or substance use).
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Connected to resources such as counseling, mentoring, or community-based supports.
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Given a tailored plan that emphasizes accountability, skill-building, and positive behavior change.
The goal of expulsion diversion is to:
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Keep students engaged in their education.
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Address root causes of behavior instead of relying solely on punishment.
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Reduce school push-out and disparities in discipline.
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Promote equity by ensuring students receive the help they need to succeed.
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Why it matters?
A Student Assistance Program (SAP) matters because it recognizes that students carry much more to school than just their backpacks. Academic success can be blocked by personal, social, and emotional challenges, and SAPs create a structured way to address those barriers early, before they escalate. Here’s why they’re important:
1. Early Identification & Intervention
SAPs help spot problems—like anxiety, depression, trauma, bullying, or substance use—before they spiral. Just like an Employee Assistance Program supports workers, SAPs give students confidential, caring access to resources when they need them most.
2. Academic Success
When students are struggling emotionally or socially, learning becomes harder. By providing counseling, referrals, and life-skills training, SAPs help students stay focused, motivated, and able to reach their full potential.
3. Support for the Whole Student
School isn’t just about grades. SAPs address the whole child—mental health, relationships, coping skills, and even crisis response. This holistic support builds resilience and stronger school communities.
4. Family & Community Connection
SAPs often bridge families to outside resources like community agencies, therapists, and prevention programs. This ensures students aren’t navigating challenges alone, and families feel supported too.
5. Prevention & Safer Schools
By focusing on prevention—substance misuse, violence, bullying—SAPs don’t just respond to crises; they help prevent them. This creates a healthier, safer environment for all students.
In short: A Student Assistance Program matters because it turns schools into hubs of support, not just academics—helping students show up as their best selves inside and outside the classroom.
Contact & Registration
For more information, please call 734-697-9511 or contact us via our website.
Youth registration form