Student Assistance Program

The purpose of the Student Assistance Program is to identify students exhibiting problem behaviors that pose a barrier to their social and academic development. The goal is to help the student and his or her family to identify problems and develop strategies to deal with these issues. The Avon Grove School District recognizes that many factors may impact a student’s ability to learn. By accurately identifying students experiencing difficulties including but not limited to substance use, emotional concerns, eating issues, or any other life stressors, we can assist them in realizing and regaining their full potential.

The Avon Grove Student Assistance Program does not diagnose or treat adolescents but gathers information, makes referrals, and links for assessment and counseling when appropriate. The program may also assist in the connection of families with appropriate community agencies.

The Avon Grove Student Assistance Program includes SOS Teams at most school levels. These student assistance teams are composed of trained coordinators, administration, guidance counselors, teachers, nurses, and attendance officers, who accept referrals from parents, teachers, support staff, and students. These SOS teams gather data, plan interventions, and provide support to students.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Avon Grove School District Student Assistance Program is to assist students, families, and staff in the identification, and removal of barriers to student development and learning. The Student Assistance Program recognized that a student’s academic success could be directly impacted by his mental health and other life stressors. It is our goal to assist students through a partnership involving their parents and educators. We utilize collaborative prevention, intervention, and post intervention services in the accomplishment of our mission. The Avon Grove School District Student Assistance Program is not able to provide diagnosis or long-term treatment services but endeavors to connect students and families with appropriate resources.

Meet the Student Assistance Coordinators
At Avon Grove School District

Left to right:  Ms. Martelli and Ms. Natale

Susan Natale joined the Avon Grove School District in August of 2005 as the Student Assistance Coordinator for Penn London Elementary School, Avon Grove Intermediate School and Fred S. Engle Middle School. Susan obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Communications and Children’s Literature from the University of Pittsburgh. She also has a Master’s Degree in Social Work with a Home and School Visitor Certification from the University of Pittsburgh. Susan is a Pennsylvania Licensed Social Worker. Over the past two years she has had a variety of experiences including working at a residential treatment facility, as a group and individual therapist with adolescent boys and girls and developing individualized and group interventions based on specific needs. Susan has also worked with children in wrap around services as a TSS and a mobile therapist providing behavioral and emotional support for children and their families. Finally, she worked with children grade kindergarten through fifth in an elementary school setting. Her responsibilities included providing individualized and group counseling; consultations with teachers and families; referrals to community agencies; conducting school interventions; and advancing goals of students under the provisions of No Child Left Behind and the Individuals with Disabilities Act.

Jennifer is a PA Licensced Social Worker and received her Master of Social Work degree from West Chester University and her Home and School Visitor Certification from Widener University. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Lock Haven University.

 

Student Assistance Program Support Groups

The following list explains the types of groups offered by the Student Assistance Program. The specific groups may be offered any marking period, given enough student participation. All groups run for 6 to 8 weekly forty-minute sessions in length. The groups will rotate during the student’s academic day. Parental permission is required under the age of 18. All groups are confidential.

• Intervention/Awareness Group- for students who are at risk for developing an alcohol or drug problem. This group will provide education and help students develop refusal strategies.
• Anger Management Group- for students who have difficulties managing their anger in appropriate ways.
• Changing Families Group- assist students in adjusting to divorce situation or coping with changes that can occur in blended families.
• Decision-Making Group- this group will focus on decision making as it relates to dating, relationships, and school topics.
• Self Esteem- this group will be aimed at helping students to feel good about themselves.
• Bereavement Group- for students experiencing the loss of a loved one.
• Smoking Cessation Group- to assist students in quitting smoking. Program will help students to further understand their smoking habits by learning about addiction, exercise, nutrition, and stress management as well as other effective strategies.
• Aftercare Support Group- assists students returning to Avon Grove School District after inpatient or day treatment hospitalization.
• Social Skills Group- to help students develop appropriate social skills among their families, community members and peers.
• Healthy Decision Group- to explore with students how to make healthy decisions that affect them on a daily basis.

 

EMPOWERS

We are here to listen.,….not work miracles.  
We are here to help students discover what they are feeling.. not to make their feelings go away.  
We are here to help students and parents identify options…not to decide what they should do.  
We are here to discuss steps with students and parents…not to take steps away from them.  
We are here to help students discover that they can help themselves..not to take responsibility for them.  
We are here to help students learn to choose…not to take keep them from making difficult choices.

 WE ARE HERE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO CHANGE

SAP Brochure