The Texas SAP Initiative is a statewide service of the Worker’s Assistance Program, Inc., based in Austin, Texas. Funded by the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, the Texas SAP Initiative (TSAPI) provides a two-day Core Team training, technical assistance, specialty topic training, and SAP-related materials to schools interested in establishing or rejuvenating a research-based, resiliency-focused Student Assistance Program (SAP). The Texas SAP Initiative provides training and technical assistance to any interested elementary or secondary school within Texas.
Mission Statement
The Texas Student Assistance Program Initiative’s mission is to provide Core Team training, technical assistance, and leadership that surpass the expectations of academic professionals in Texas. We offer the services, resources, and materials that allow schools to improve grades, attendance, and behavior of their students. As we passionately pursue our mission, the results will be a growing number of academically and socially stronger, healthier Texas schools.
Philosophy
The Texas Student Assistance Program Initiative believes in the power of individuals to bounce back from adversity and learn from challenges. By training school personnel how to establish resiliency-based Student Assistance Programs, we help students to grow stronger and more triumphant in the face of adversity, thereby increasing their chances for success both in and out of school.
The earliest SAPs were generally modeled after Employee Assistance Programs, which had been used successfully by companies seeking to address employee alcoholism and improve productivity in the workplace. Consequently, the first SAPs targeted students using alcohol and other drugs. These students were often referred to an outside treatment agency or hospital for assessment. Since that time, the SAP has evolved into a broad-brushed process, offering assistance to students suffering from a myriad of problems, including family problems, mental health issues, social isolation, and drug and/or alcohol addiction. This broader focus has resulted in additional beneficial outcomes, such as improved attendance, an improved quality of referral to special education, and greater collaboration between schools and their communities.
SAPs have been cited as one of the most effective school-based prevention and early intervention strategies (Prevention Plus II, Office of Substance Abuse Prevention, U.S.Dept of Health and Human Services, 1991; and Success Stories from Drug Free Schools, 1992, PHD588.).
Worker's Assistance Program, Inc. (WAP) shares the commitment of the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse to provide statewide training in this proven method of early intervention. With the Texas SAP Initiative, WAP continues to provide the best in training and enrichment opportunities for schools and students.
Meet Our Staff
Susan Henderson, our Program Director, has17 years experience in school
systems as a teacher, administrator, and trainer/consultant. With a Master’s Degree in Education, School Administrator’s Certification, and Bachelor’s Degree in Family and Consumer Science, she has a distinct commitment to the educational excellence of all children. Her years serving as an SAP Core Team member have provided her with a practical knowledge of how to implement the model.
With expertise in working with at-risk students and their families, as well as specialization in child development and adolescent issues, Susan embodies the philosophies of the Student Assistance Program. She has developed and implemented work training and tutoring programs and school-age parenting and prevention models. Some of her successes include working with family support groups, drop out prevention and recovery teams, diverse cultural populations, and families experiencing economic hardship. In addition to working in secondary and elementary schools, Susan is a certified Director of Early Childhood Programs. She has implemented new Early Head Start programs and collaborated with numerous early intervention services. Susan’s involvement with developmental and educational services ranges from pre-natal to early adulthood.
As Program Director for the Texas SAP Initiative, Susan is responsible for the development, content, philosophy, promotion, implementation, and maintenance of the project. If you have questions about TSAPI services, please contact Susan at (800) 522-0550 (or by e-mail at shenderson@studentassistance.org).
Mary Sowder, M.A.- Mary is currently the Vice President of Behavioral and Education Services and Training (BEST). The TSAPI is part of the BEST division at Worker’s Assistance Program (WAP). She was formerly the Director of the Texas HIV Connection and had been since its inception in January, l992. Prior to her work with WAP, she was employed at the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (TCADA) for seven and one-half years. She has provided training services for over 14 years both with TCADA and in her current position with WAP. She is registered with the Texas Department of Health as a HIV antibody pre and post test counselor and is certified by the National Institute on Drug Abuse/Center for Substance Abuse Treatment to deliver HIV and Substance Abuse training. She has direct counseling experience in the substance abuse field and is a LCDC. Mary has a B.A. is Sociology and a M.A. in Guidance and Counseling with a special emphasis on Mental Health and Substance Abuse.
John Harris serves as Training Specialist II for the Texas SAP Initiative, offering two-day Core Team training, technical follow-up and a series of specialty topic sessions to interested schools. John has a B.A. in Ethnic Studies with a concentration in History from the University of Texas at Austin. He has over seven years of experience working with a range of different youth organizations and programs.
John brings a unique perspective to the SAP Initiative. He has worked with a range of at-risk youth as a counselor and caseworker and has also taught and coached middle school youth in both the public and private school systems. John has worked in conjunction with outreach programs, community-based organizations, probation officers, and families of at-risk youth to help them adapt successfully into mainstream society.
You can reach John by e-mail at jharris@studentassistance.org
How to Contact Us
We want to hear from you. Contact us today and let us know how we can help you.
Texas Student Assistance Program Initiative
Worker's Assistance Program, Inc.
3410 Far West Blvd., Suite 250
Austin, TX 78731
Phone: 512-343-9595 or 800-522-0550
Fax: 512-343-0276 or 512-343-8558
Email:
For Susan Henderson, Program Director: director@studentassistance.org
For Texas SAP Initiative staff:..... sap@studentassistance.org
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