Student Assistance
How the Program Works

Step 1: A student is referred to the SAP by a school staff member, parent, or self-referral

Step 2: The SAP counselor reviews the referral and determines how to proceed

  • If the referral is due to a code of conduct violation, the SAP counselor can begin making plans to conduct a substance use screening survey with the student
  • If the referral is not due to a code of conduct violation, parent permission is required to conduct a substance use screening survey with the student unless the student is 18 or older

Step 3: The parent or legal guardian is contacted about the referral; an appointment is scheduled for the parent and student

Step 4: The student completes a substance use screening survey, the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI) (this may occur sooner if a drug violation occurred on a CMS campus)

Step 5: The SAP counselor meets with the student and parent together to conduct a structured interview to gather additional information about student and family strengths and needs.

  • Following the interview, overall results of the substance use screening survey are shared
  • Survey results and information from the interview are used to determine needed supports
  • SAP counselor shares recommendations with the student and parent
  • If the student is recommended for CMS interventions, documents are reviewed, signatures obtained, and detailed information about the program is provided

Step 6: The student and family begin recommended intervention

Step 7: The SAP counselor follows-up with the student and family to determine if additional supports or services should be recommended

Services that may be recommended by the SAP counselor include but are not limited to:

    • Drug Education: Prime for Life
      • This 8-hour evidence-based drug education class is typically offered to families whose students appear to have minimal substance use. This includes students who may be influenced by peer substance use, experimenting with e-cigarettes, or have tried a substance no more than a few times and do not have a pattern of usage. A parent, guardian, or other involved adult must attend with the student.
    • Drug Education: The Matrix Model
      • This 8-hour evidence-based drug education class is typically offered to families whose students appear to have moderate to heavy substance use. Typically, students referred to this class have developed a pattern of regular use or have other significant risk factors that make this more intensive class more appropriate. A parent, guardian, or other involved adult must attend with the student.
    • Drug Education & Intervention: Individual Counseling
      • SAP counselors may recommend that your student participate in 1-on-1 evidence-based counseling with him or her at school. While the counselors may choose from a range of resources, some commonly used counseling curricula include Teen Intervene and components of Seeking Safety. Parents will typically need to participate in at least the first session of individual counseling.
    • Drug Education & Intervention: Group Counseling
      • Like individual counseling, the SAP counselor may choose from a range of evidence-based resources to deliver psycho-educational group counseling focused on substance use prevention & intervention. Groups typically include students of similar age and substance-related needs. Input and support from parents is gained individually prior to the start of group counseling.
    • Referral to Community Resources: Substance use treatment
      • The SAP counselor may determine that CMS-sponsored education and intervention options are insufficient to address the student's needs. The SAP counselor will support the family in exploring available treatment options, and can facilitate the referral by sharing relevant information with the identified treatment provider with parent and student consent. Families are responsible for the financial costs associated with community-based treatment options.

P.O. Box 30035
Charlotte, NC 28230-0035
Phone: 980-343-3000
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