How STARS positively impacts youth development by nurturing social and emotional competency

The Student Assistance Program (SAP) is an award-winning, evidence based program of STARS that addresses social and emotional barriers for youth, such as substance misuse, violence and bullying. SAP assists students in achieving academic and social success by promoting healthy development, reducing barriers to learning and building upon strengths.

SAP counselors:

• Provide school-based prevention, intervention and aftercare support services to staff, students and families
• Assist students in achieving academic and social success by promoting healthy development
• Reduce barriers to learning
• Reduce risk factors
• Build upon strengths
• Promote protective factors
• Increase asset development and foster resilience

SAP counselors are on-site in schools throughout the academic school year to provide:

• Prevention education through assemblies and classroom
• Early intervention for students exhibiting problem behaviors
• Counseling to small groups and individuals
• Promotion of health with faculty teams and student leaders
• Links to additional appropriate services in the school and community, such as mental health and
  substance misuse treatment services
• Attention to students who are at a special risk for
  • Substance misuse
  • Violence and bullying
  • Academic failure
  • School suspension
  • Dropping out

The Result?

• Increased school attendance and grades
• Increased attachment to school and community
• Increased individual resilience
• Reduced suspensions, expulsions, bullying, violence and substance misuse

Programming can be tailored to each school and community. Days and frequency of services vary. There are no fees associated with these services for students and families. Youth are referred to STARS by self, school administrators, teachers, peers, guardians and others.

STARS’ SAP serves Davidson, Rutherford, Sumner, Warren, Williamson and Wilson counties and provides consulting services across the country.

Contact
Download Program Brochure

SAP has been recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Registry of Evidence based Programs and Practices (NREPP) as one of three evidence based practices to address intervention services for youth ages 6 to 18.