Student Assistance Program - STARS

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
- Teen pregnancy
- 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.

STARS' MOVE2STAND team created a life-changing and inspiring day. I look forward to working with them again.

Courtney Fergie

STARS' MOVE2STAND opened my eyes to what is actually happening in our schools.

M2S student

STARS' MOVE2STAND let me be me. I didn’t have to hide anything. I had a voice.

M2S student

At STARS' MOVE2STAND, I was finally heard!

M2S student

At STARS' MOVE2STAND, I learned how people actually feel.

M2S student

STARS' MOVE2STAND made me come out of my comfort zone and interact with my peers. I loved the training!

M2S student

I loved sharing my story and hearing others’ stories at STARS' MOVE2STAND. I enjoyed how personal the training was.

M2S student

At STARS' MOVE2STAND, I let my guard down and realized how many people are just like me.

M2S student

STARS' MOVE2STAND has shown me what I need to do as a person.

M2S student

Because of STARS' MOVE2STAND, I better understand how to help people.

M2S student

Everyone came together like a family at STARS' MOVE2STAND.

M2S student

STARS' MOVE2STAND made me feel less lonely.

M2S student

We will continue the STARS' MOVE2STAND message in our school and community indefinitely. Positive relationships between young people are essential for student success in all areas of life. We would strongly recommend M2S for school systems looking to improve climate and build cohesive, productive atmospheres. The training created lasting impacts that will be remembered forever.

STARS' MOVE2STAND was by far one of the best student trainings I have ever seen after working in bullying prevention for eight years. The one-day leadership training had a profound impact on 150 students in grades 6-12 from Vermilion Local Schools. The students have taken the M2S momentum into their own hands and created welcoming, cross-age mentoring and community relations committees.

Our STARS’ SAP counselor is an asset to our school. So many students deal with issues outside of school that affect their ability to do their best at school. As a school counselor, my job has many parts and changes daily. I’m not always available to see a child in crisis, and I can't usually provide ongoing counseling to a student or group sessions. That is where our SAP counselor comes in. She does free individual and group therapy to help our students overcome personal issues and to succeed at school.

Christy Hood School Counselor

"Magnificent," "life-changing" and "incredible" don't give STARS' MOVE2STAND justice. The event inspired emotions, passion and realizations at Beech High School.

Jamie Greer Spanish Teacher

We have many students who have autism and ADHD, and STARS' Kids on the Block has changed how these students are understood by their peers. For example, one autistic second-grader has made great gains this year due to his classmates’ acceptance. This would not have happened without KOB.

Janet Watkins School Counselor

STARS' Kids on the Block is doing great work to keep our children safe.

Dawn Crumpton School Librarian

STARS' Kids on the Block’s puppet shows are developmentally appropriate and find a delicate balance between fun-loving and thought-provoking messages. Students like seeing a new show every year, ranging from problem solving to diversity awareness.

Deborah Finch School Counselor

STARS’ SAP program helped me be a better person, improve my attitude and work things out with my parents. STARS’ SAP program had a huge impact on me. My counselor Mr. Mayes gave good advice and helped me with a lot of problems I had in middle school.

Gra-Mar Middle School student

STARS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, culture, religion or creed, socioeconomic status, language, age, sexual orientation, or national origin. No one shall be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any of STARS’ programs or activities. STARS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

This agency is funded, in part, by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the Tennessee Department of Education and by the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth. This project is funded under a grant contract with the State of Tennessee.