Student Assistance Network

The Center has created the New Hampshire Student Assistance Network to strengthen and expand the presence and impact of Student Assistance Programs in New Hampshire schools.

New Hampshire Student Assistance Network

If you are a current Student Assistance Program Coordinator (SAP-C), please see the resources that are available to you to support your work.

NH Student Assistance Network Resource Center

What is the New Hampshire Student Assistance Network?

The New Hampshire Student Assistance Network (The Network) develops, aligns, and promotes NH Student Assistance Programs (NH SAP) based on the nationally recognized Project SUCCESS. In collaboration with the NH Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services, The Network continues to support SAPs by providing:

  • Funding
  • Group and individual technical assistance
  • Support with evaluation and sustainability planning.

What is a NH Student Assistance Program?

The NH Student Assistance Program (NH SAP) is well integrated into the overall social and emotional support system for students and their parents in a school environment. NH SAP uses a team approach and is led by a specially trained student assistance program coordinator (SAP-C) who has experience working with adolescents on early identification and intervention for substance misuse and mental health. Other members of the SAP team include behavioral health school staff, school health and wellness teams, and partnerships with local prevention and behavioral health providers and regional prevention coalitions. The SAP-C coordinates prevention and early intervention resources to reduce barriers to learning for students in New Hampshire Schools.

 

Essential activities include:

  • School-wide awareness activities for the school community and families about substance use and mental health resources to promote wellness and avoid high risk behavior, as well as where to go for help.
  • Prevention Education Classroom Instruction for students in at least one grade about adolescence, relationships, healthy coping, alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, marijuana, and other drugs.
  • Parent programs with information about ways they can support their child through healthy adolescent development.
  • Professional development and consultation for school staff to increase staff confidence and strategies for promoting wellness and identifying and addressing risk factors for early substance use.
  • Confidential student assessment for substance use and other behavioral health problems that contribute to poor school performance.
  • Individual and group skill building sessions to provide support for needs identified in the assessment.
  • Referral to community organizations when students need additional support outside of the school-based resources.

Starting a Student Assistance Program (SAP)

NH Student Assistance Network provides grant funding to NH middle and high schools across New Hampshire to support their Student Assistance Programs.

What do you need to start a Student Assistance Program (SAP)?

  1. Contact The Network at nhsapnetwork@jsi.org and let us know you are interested in having a SAP at your school.
  2. Meet with The Network to review readiness and discuss the next steps, which may include applying for the funding and hiring a SAP Coordinator, or increasing readiness by participating in some of The Network’s learning opportunities.
  3. Learn more about applying in the SFY27 Funding Opportunity Announcement.

We look forward to working with you to bring Student Assistance Programming to your school’s community.

Is Your School Interested in Having an SAP?

Contact The Network to Learn More

Application Resources

Helpful Links