Student Assistance Program
February 2021
Download pdf (English) (Spanish)
Who we are
The Student Assistance Prevention-Intervention Services Program (SAPISP) is a comprehensive, integrated model of services that:
- Fosters safe school environments
- Promotes healthy childhood development
- Prevents alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse.
When to refer to student assistance
You can make a referral at any time you have a concern about a student by submitting the referral form.
Some signs you may notice include:
- A decline in school performance
- Absenteeism or chronic tardiness
- Levels of activity or alertness change from day-to-day
- Talks freely about using or partying, or of family members using.
- Paraphernalia, clothing, jewelry, pictures, and drawings centered on chemical use
- Perfectionism or difficulty accepting mistakes
- Withdrawal; a loner; separates from others.
As a rule, an isolated instance of poor or unsatisfactory performance is not necessarily grounds for a referral. However, if a student exhibits several of these signs, or there is a repeated pattern of behaviors, a referral is appropriate.
FEBRUARY IS TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH
Dating abuse is a big problem, affecting youth in every community across the nation.
Teen and young adult statistics
Source: The National Domestic Violence Hotline
- 9.4% of high school students reported being hit, slapped, or physically hurt intentionally by their partner in partner violence before the age of 25.
- Approximately 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men who experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner first experienced some form of partner violence between 11 and 17 years of age.
- More than a quarter (28%) of male victims of completed rape were first raped when they were 10 years old or younger.
- Approximately 35% of women who were raped as minors were also raped as adults, compared to 14% of women without an early rape history.
- The majority (79.6%) of female victims of completed rape experienced their first rape before the age of 25; 42.2% experienced their first completed rape before the age of 18.
- 1 in 10 high school students has experienced physical violence from a dating partner in the past year.
- Almost 1 in 10 teens in relationships reports having a partner tamper with their social media account, which constitutes the most frequent form of harassment or abuse.
- Just 1 in 5 victims say they experienced digital abuse or harassment at school during school hours; most take place away from school grounds.
- Only 4% of victims experience only digital abuse or harassment. Social media, texts, and emails provide abusive partners with just another tool to cause harm.
- Nearly 1 in 3 college women (29%) say they’ve been in an abusive dating relationship
- Most female (69%) and male (53%) victims of rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner had their first experience with intimate
partner violence before the age of 25.
How Do I Get Help?
If you know of a teen or parent that could benefit from speaking to a caring, well-trained peer advocate, connect them with the National Dating Abuse Helpline:
- 1- 866-331-9474 (TTY: 1-866-331-8453)
- Text “loveis” to 77054
- Live chat at loveisrespect.org.
For more information, visit the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.
Random Acts of Kindness Day is February 17!
Source: The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation
Just a few ways to spread kindness…
- Bake cookies for a neighbor.
- Leave $5 in a library book. [Put a note on it that says it’s a random act of kindness and to pass it on]
- Carry groceries to someone’s car for them.
- Send a pizza to your vet or local police or fire station.
- Babysit for a single parent
- Lend a hand or make a donation to your favorite charity
- Leave quarters at a local laundromat
- Gift an inspirational book
There are many ways to spread kindness but my personal favorite isn’t about a random act of kindness, but making kindness an everyday thing in the way you treat people, being patient , non judgmental, forgiving, and giving someone the benefit of the doubt.
More ideas on Random Acts of Kindness:
