Since 2016, MARS has expanded services to all school districts in Lehigh and Northampton counties and have met with hundreds of students to provide SAP assessments and referrals to ongoing supportive services.

The Student Assistance Program (SAP) is a statewide initiative designed to identify student needs and to provide supports to address them. SAP team members, at the school level, are trained to identify problems and make recommendations. SAP services may involve in-school programs or referrals to outside professionals if appropriate

SAP ASSESSMENT PROCESS

• SAP referral is provided to our agency through your child’s guidance counselor.

• Any insurance costs are provided to families in advance of our services. Uninsured students are covered for SAP assessments through their home county

• Student is interviewed through an assessment tool to identify behavioral health areas of need.

• Parent/guardian is contacted by the SAP assessor to discuss general assessment findings and to be provided with a referral to supportive services.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS OF SERVICES

• SAP Assessments can be scheduled on-site at the student’s home school, at our agency, or virtually.

• General length of time for a SAP assessment is 45-60 minutes.

• Student confidentiality is prioritized. Only minimal details regarding SAP assessment findings are provided to the school.

• All student referrals to additional services are provided in-network with student health insurance benefits.

WHY A SAP ASSESSMENT?

• Students are interviewed in a safe and positive setting that seeks understand strengths as well as areas of need.

• The process is minimally disruptive and provides a convenient and efficient snapshot of student behavioral health needs.

• Our SAP assessor team is comprised of professional clinicians who are experienced in work with adolescents.

• Early Intervention and treatment of behavioral health needs is critical in supporting the overall health and well-being of an adolescent.