Empowering Vermont’s Youth with Prevention, Education, and Support
The Association of Student Assistance Professionals is a non-profit organization whose mission is to increase and promote the effectiveness of Student Assistance Programs in Vermont. For over 30 years the Association of Student Assistance Professionals of Vermont has been your voice to advocate for SAPs and Prevention Professionals in schools.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Every September, Vermonters come together to honor lives lost to suicide, support those affected, and share hope. It’s a time to raise awareness, promote mental health resources, and strengthen community connections.
Starting in late August, you can get involved by:
Attending or supporting a live awareness event like the VT Suicide Prevention Symposium
Hosting or joining a suicide prevention training
Sharing information on social media, Front Porch Forum, and other platforms
Supporting local mental health organizations
Reaching out to people in your life who may need extra care
Together, we can make a difference.
Check out this self-care checklist to reflect on your current routine and explore new ways to strengthen your mental wellbeing. You can even support a friend or loved one by completing this list together!
New Resource for School Leaders: SAP Guidebook Now Available Here
We're excited to share a powerful new tool for Vermont educators: A Resource Guide for School Administrators, developed by Prevention Works! VT and the Association of Student Assistance Professionals of Vermont.
This guide is designed to help school leaders implement and sustain effective Student Assistance Programs (SAPs) that support students facing substance misuse, mental health challenges, and other barriers to learning. Inside, you'll find:
An overview of the SAP role and how it integrates with school health teams
The six core components of an effective SAP
Legal and confidentiality considerations
Data on youth risk behaviors in Vermont
Practical steps and tools to build or strengthen your program
The History of Student Assistance Professionals in Vermont
The Student Assistance Program of Vermont is modeled after the Employee Assistance Program developed during the war to assist employees in dealing with whatever mental heath issue is surfacing in one’s life.
In the late 80’s, Ellen Morehouse developed the SAP, which VT adopted. In fact our first conference had Morehouse train counselors in her model. The first SAP’s worked part time in area high schools reaching out to high risk students. As time progressed the program became much more uniformed.
The basic tenets of the program is hiring a substance misuse counselor who is available to all students, without a diagnosis, to guide them in whatever their mental health issues are. SAP’s provide prevention education to classrooms, facilitate groups, offer staff and parent trainings, and work with administrators in developing and updating policies. SAP’s do not provide treatment, rather they screen, assess and offer resources.
