S.T.A.R.T.

HELP 'STARTS' WITH  YOU

(Student-At-Risk Team)

HOTLINE: 267-893-2344

 

WHAT IS START?

START is a state-mandated student assistance program developed to help students, teachers and staff members in dealing with concerns about students who are believed to be experiencing barriers to learning. START utilizes a systematic process to identify and refer students who may appear at-risk due to drug and alcohol or mental health issues. START is NOT a disciplinary process.

WHAT ARE SOME FUNCTIONS OF THE START TEAM?

Identify students who may be at-risk due to alcohol or drug use, depression or other mental health problems.

Intervene and refer those students to appropriate in-school or community services (assistance programs are intervention, NOT in-school treatment programs).

Inform students, parents and school staff about the available student assistance services. For a list of internet resources, click here.

Encourage parental involvement in the START process.

WHO ARE THE TEAM MEMBERS?

The core team members consist of volunteer faculty and staff who have been trained to assist the student and his/her family in identifying problems that impact on the student's ability to function successfully in school, and to offer assistance in alleviating these problems. The START team is supported by representatives from the Bucks County Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (215-230-8218) and the Lenape Valley Foundation (215-345-5300).

WHO CAN REFER STUDENTS TO START?

Teachers, school staff, parents, and peers are the source of student referrals. Also, students often refer themselves for help.

HOW IS A STUDENT REFERRED?

Students may be referred to the START team by completing a START Referral Form, available either in the main office, guidance, or from a team member. Completed forms should be placed in a team member's mailbox.

HOW CONFIDENTIAL IS THE REFERRAL PROCESS?

Confidentiality is important for the student, parent, teacher and administrator. Every effort is made to keep extremely confidential any information gathered by the START team. The names of specific school personnel are never mentioned.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER START RECEIVES A REFERRAL?

The START team meets weekly to discuss the progress of any pending referrals and to assign new referrals for processing. All cases are identified by number only and kept in confidential files (these files are destroyed at the end of the academic year). In the case of new referrals, all faculty and staff who have regular contact with the student are sent in a confidential envelop an inventory of specific behaviors. Faculty and staff members are specifically instructed to check off on the survey only those current behaviors they have observed (any additional comments are to be reported directly to a team member) and return their report in the same confidential envelop.

WHAT DOES START DO WITH THE DATA THEY GATHER?

The data gathered by the behavior survey is then entered on a spread sheet for the purpose of documenting any patterns. State law requires that START notify the student's parent/guardian of the reported behaviors. During this exchange, the START case worker will offer team assistance.

WHAT IS AN INTERVENTION?

When reporting the behavior survey to the student's parent/guardian, the START case worker will offer to meet with the student and parent(s) and two/three other team members to share and discuss the reported concerns. Often the appropriate county agency representative is also in attendance at these interventions. It is during the intervention process that the student is encouraged to undergo an assessment to determine the extent of the problem.

WHAT HAPPENS TO INFORMATION GATHERED DURING AN ASSESSMENT?

All information gathered during an assessment by a county agency clinician is strictly confidential.

WHERE CAN I GET ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES?

WHERE CAN I GET ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT DRUG/ALCOHOL ISSUES?

WHO CAN I CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A REFERRAL?

The student's guidance counselor may be contacted for additional information. The START team coordinator may also be contacted at mhazzard@cbsd.org.