What is the Student Assistance Program?

The Student Assistance Program is a school based substance use and violence intervention program under the auspices of the Montgomery County Safe and Drug-Free Schools Project. Student Assistance is focused on prevention through intervention and is not aimed at collecting evidence for criminal prosecutions.


Goal of Student Assistance:

To identify adolescents whose behavior, attendance or grades indicate they may have problems related to alcohol and/or other drug use or violence. At risk students are referred for professional assessment and directed to appropriate services.


How Does the Student Assistance Process Work?

Any individual, staff member, student, or community member can present a concern to a member of the Student Assistance Team. The team leader assigns the case to a member of the team to collect data on the student. Information is studied to see whether there are indicators that could indicate drug or alcohol abuse. If the indicators show nothing the matter is dropped. If indicators show there is a need for further assessment, the information is shared with the parents so they can participate in the intervention process. Any referral made to the team is completely confidential and all materials are destroyed. Never is a referring person's name given out.

If you have a concern about a student or wish to refer someone, please contact a member of the team or fill out a concern form and place it in the team leader's mailbox at school. Please do not email the form to a team member or the team leader. These forms should never be sent electronically. All communications that are electronic are by legal definition not confidential.


Dan Alemar, Team Leader 240-497-6300
Stuart Markowitz Co-Team Leader 240-497-6300

 


Some things to look for:

Drop in academic performance A major change in the family
Destructive behaviors against self or others Negative Attitudes
Change in friends Signs of alcohol or drug use
Less extracurricular activity Depressed; anxious, frequent mood swings

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

CONCERN FORM

 

I am concerned about___________________________________________, grade____
                                                                  Name of Student

Reason for Concernt check all that apply):

__Drop in academic performance                              __Appears depressed, anxious, frequent mood swings
__Increased absences                                                __Negative attitudes
__Destructive behaviors against self or others
__Change of friends                                                   __Less extracurricular activities
__Signs of possible alcohol and Other drug use

__Other Concerns (explain):_________________________________________________

Additional Comments:______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Signature (optional) ________________________________________________________

Please place this Concern Form in the drop box

Do not send this form to the team electronically. Always print out the form and place the completed form in the team leader's mailbox at school. All communications that are electronic are by legal definition not confidential.