SAPIS
The Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention Specialists (SAPIS) program provides a range of prevention and intervention services in grades K-12. The goals of the program are to:
- Reduce the prevalence of substance abuse among youth
- Delay the initiation of substance abuse behavior among youth
- Decrease the negative health, social, and educational consequences associated with substance abuse
- Prevent the escalation of substance abuse behaviors to levels requiring treatment
Services include:
- classroom lessons (using evidence-based programs)
- individual and group counseling
- peer leadership programs
- positive alternative activities
- crisis intervention
- conflict resolution
- assessments and referrals for mental health and substance abuse services
- school-wide prevention projects
Students who are at risk for alcohol and substance abuse, gang involvement, suspension from school, disruptive behaviors, and violations of the Discipline Code are referred to SAPIS for intervention services. SAPIS provide parent workshops that address alcohol and substance abuse issues as well as bullying and violence prevention. SAPIS provide crisis-response services to schools needing support during crisis incidents.
Bedford Academy is seeking to have a SAPIS worker in place by October of 2021.
