Student Assistance Program

  • What is a Student Assistance Program (SAP)?
    A comprehensive program providing prevention, intervention, support and instructional services for students in the district.  The SAP offers assistance to students troubled by familial, emotional, social, legal, physical, sexual, or substance abuse problems.  The SAP serves as a structured, organized liaison among the school, parents and outside agencies.

    The Student Assistance process promotes healthy, safe and drug-free life-styles along with strength-based approaches in working with youth. Student Assistance Programs utilize existing resources within the school to address school-based concerns, and link students and their families with community resources to provide for needs requiring specialized services.

    What is a Student Assistance Counselor (SAC)?
    Student Assistance Counselors are certified with advanced training and experience in the field of substance abuse and mental health.  SACs coordinate and oversee the overall components of a Student Assistance Program.  SACs are available to provide confidential counseling and referral services for at risk students and their parents.  The ultimate goal is to empower students to assist in the development and maintenance of a positive school climate.

    Student Assistance Counselors facilitate programming for both parents and students that address issues such as substance abuse prevention and awareness, mental health issues, healthy relationships and coping, student safety, and related topics. SACs serve as liaisons to the Livingston Municipal Alliance Committee (LMAC) and report out on current school programs and supports. SAC’s facilitate CORE committees as a referral process for staff members who identify at-risk students. CORE team develops interventions to address student needs and at-risk behaviors.

    Individual/Group Counseling
    SACs facilitate individual/group counseling to support issues such as:

    • Substance Abuse
    • Mental Health issues
    • Adjustment issues
    • Family issues
    • Social issues
    • Diversity/tolerance
    • Eating Disorders
    • Loss/grief

    Referrals made to SAC's and any subsequent information gathered remains confidential.

  • Contacts
     
    Mrs. Lisa Capone-Steiger
    Assistant Superintendent
    lsteiger@livingston.org
    973-535-8000, x8032
    Mr. Amro Mohammed
    Dean of Students
    Livingston High School
    amohammed@livingston.org
    973-535-8000, x8069
    Ms. Christie Giacobbe
    Student Assistance Counselor
    Livingston High School
    cgiacobbe@livingston.org
    973-535-8000, x6929
    Fax 844-499-0905
    Ms. Erin Field
    Student Assistance Counselor
    Livingston High School
    efield@livingston.org
    973-535-8000, x2950
    Fax 844-499-0905

    Ms. Emily DeStefano
    Student Assistance Counselor
    Heritage Middle School
    edestefano@livingston.org
    973-535-8000, x7791
    Fax 844-499-0905