VCOE offers a resiliency approach to prevention and Student Assistance Programs.  Rather than focusing on deficits, the focus is on building upon the assets already present in students and the school environment, resulting in programs that are integrative and positive in nature.  VCOE believes that:

    -With the proper supports, every student can succeed.

    -Success with violence, drug and tobacco use prevention lies in building
    relationships: between the school, home and community; between the 
    students and their faculty; and among the students.
 
    -A safe and caring school environment, with opportunities for all students
    to participate meaningfully, in a climate of high expectations for all, fosters
    positive development of assets in youth and thereby increases student
    academic achievement.

VCOE staff is available to support schools and districts with:
    -the development and implementation of Student Assistance Programs

    -exploration of community resources and possible partners

    -review of evidence-based, research-valdated programs and curricula, 
    that are developmentally appropriate and suitable for each individual
    school environment

    -training for school staff, and training for students as mentors and/or
    peer educators 

Student Assistance Program Resouces: 

1. California Department of Education - Student Assistance Program
   
   
2. The California SAP Resource Center
   1. What is a Student Assistance Program
   2. Guidelines and Tips for Starting a Student Assistance Program 
      
      
3. Training:  Masonic Model Student Assistance Program Training (MMSAP)
   MMSAP is an intensive three-day training workshop for educators to learn how to identify, intervene with, and create appropriate referrals for students that may be at risk for substance abuse, depression, suicide or violence.
   
   
4. California Healthy Kids Resource Center - Alcohol and Other Drugs Information, Research-Validated Programs 
   
   
5. Training:  Center for Applied Research Solutions (CARS) - Provides on-line training for substance abuse and mentoring professionals. 
   
   
6. Curricula per California Department of Education
   1. Positive Action  Positive Action is a nationally recognized, evidence-based program that improves academic success, behavior, and character development. 
   2. Project SUCCESS  Project SUCCESS (Schools Using Coordinated Efforts to Strengthen Students) is a school-based Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) Model program that prevents and reduces substance use among high-risk multi-problem adolescents.
      
      
7. Student Assistance Program (SAP) Bulletins (California Department of Education) - SAP Bulletins have been designed to support school administrators, teachers, counselors, other school district personnel, non-profit organizations and agencies who are involved with SAPs.
   
   
8.  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)- School, family and community resource kits for prevention.

 

Questions:
Ernesto Duran - eduran@vcoe.org - 805-437-1390
Karlyn Bock - kbock@vcoe.org - 805-437-1370