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Wyomissing Area SD staff present SAP participation data as board weighs student supports
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Wurtz introduced a presentation by Dr. Lengel on the district's Student Assistance Program (SAP), which partners with the Caron Foundation and Tower Health. The report outlined referral and assessment counts across buildings and described prevention programs and staffing supports.
Superintendent Dr. Wurtz opened the district report by turning the meeting over to Dr. Lengel for an overview of the Student Assistance Program (SAP) and related supports for the coming year.
Dr. Lengel said SAP teams operate in all district buildings and that the district contracts with two approved assessment providers, the Caron Foundation and Tower Health. "We have SAP teams in all of our buildings," Dr. Lengel said, adding that Caron personnel provide group programming while Tower Health supplies a district social worker.
The presentation included participation and referral figures. Across the three buildings, 368 students participated in Caron Foundation groups this year. At Wyomissing Hills Elementary Center there were 23 referrals, five of which proceeded to full assessments with family meetings; West Reading recorded 25 referrals with 15 parent-authorized assessments; and the junior/senior high had 71 referrals and 33 assessments. Dr. Lengel explained that assessments for older students often begin with a one-on-one student session and involve families afterward.
Prevention and treatment programs were outlined. The district reported 479 students in grades 6 through 10 participated in Caron's Clear Facts program (focused on cannabis and nicotine), and 350 students received an introduction to Project Connect, a program for students with nicotine use who are required to participate when cited on campus. Dr. Lengel said Project Connect outcome data were not available at the presentation.
Dr. Lengel described sources of referrals and typical supports: "Referral sources''62 came from school staff, seven from parents, and two from students," he said. The presentation also covered staff training (three-day SAP training provided by partners) and how liaisons and building teams deliver prevention lessons such as conflict resolution and Red Ribbon Week activities.
Board members thanked staff for the report and said the numbers would help align mental-health initiatives and SEL curriculum work. The presentation closed with an invitation for follow-up questions and a note that additional SAP liaison data could be provided later, since several liaison positions are currently vacant.
