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.

SAP-C Resources

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, evidence-based 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 Series for students in at least one grade about mental health, alcohol, marijuana, tobacco 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, 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 counseling to provide support for needs identified in the assessment.
  • Referral to community organizations when students need additional support outside of the school-based resources.

 

Interested in Becoming a Student Assistance Program Coordinator?

The overall responsibilities of a Student Assistance Program Coordinator (SAP-C) include being embedded in elementary, middle, and high schools to offer students behavioral health screenings, support services, small group education, and, when appropriate, referral to treatment. Coordinators also consult with school faculty, promote universal behavioral health and substance use prevention initiatives, and guide families through the referral process for students needing intensive support. The job description below provides the required qualifications and responsibilities necessary to apply.

Required Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree in counseling, psychology, or social work; at least two years experience working with adolescents, and demonstrated knowledge of substance misuse prevention. (At minimum, you must have a Bachelor’s degree with experience working with high-risk adolescents.) 
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Flexibility to work independently and collaboratively with all levels of staff
  • Passion for working with young people
  • Commitment to recognizing, understanding, celebrating, and utilizing differences in a multicultural community.

Responsibilities include:

Individual & Family Support

  • Conduct behavioral health assessments and early intervention for students referred by school staff, faculty, and/or parents/guardians.
  • Offer individual, time-limited supportive services to students
  • Facilitate small-group sessions focused on behavioral health education and peer support (i.e. executive functioning, anger management, coping skills, grief, etc.)
  • Guide families through the referral process for students needing higher-level interventions, such as mental health therapy.
  • Promote school-wide prevention education 
  • Implement evidence-based programming tools

Administrative

  • Participate in collaborative meetings with school staff and attend training and meetings required. 
  • Ensure documentation is completed thoroughly and on time.
  • Track and report program data for grant funding. 
  • Become a Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS). (The Network will regularly monitor progress towards certification and provide technical assistance to SAP-Cs. Information regarding NH CPS can be found at: http://nhpreventcert.org/)

Organizational Responsibility

  • Partner with colleagues and represent the SAP through local collaborations 
  • Collaborate as a staff to foster a positive and healthy working environment

For any questions about the position or how to apply, please email: nhsapnetwork@jsi.com.

Applications for NH Student Assistance Programs

In 2024, the NH Student Assistance Network provided grant funding to 44 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)?

    • Contact The Network at nhsapnetwork@jsi.com and let us know you are interested in having a SAP at your school.
    • 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.

 

You can learn more about each step below. We look forward to working with you to bring Student Assistance Programming to your school’s community.

Readiness
In order to implement student assistance with fidelity, it is essential that each component of the program be integrated into the school and be supported by administration and the school community. See Scope of Work. Starting a Student Assistance Program (SAP) requires a certain level of readiness.

Applying for Funding
After meeting with the Network to understand the school’s level of readiness, the school can apply for funding to support the exploration or implementation of the SAP.  Schools are required to provide a 25% match in cash or in-kind.

Hiring for SAP
The SAP Coordinator’s (SAP-C) responsibility requires highly trained, supervised, and experienced staff members with expertise in working with youth, communicating with other professionals, and engaging parents. It is strongly recommended that SAP-Cs have a Master’s degree in counseling, psychology, or social work, at least two years’ experience working with adolescents and knowledge of substance misuse prevention. All NH SAP-Cs receiving state funds must become a Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS) within one year of being hired.

Ongoing Support
Through The Network the newly hired SAP-C will receive professional support and development. The Network offers one-on-one mentoring for first year SAP-Cs, bi-weekly regional peer collaboratives, and monthly learning opportunities. In addition, technical assistance is provided on an ongoing and as needed basis for the SAP-C and the school administrator, and others on the behavioral health team.

Application Resources

Helpful Links