STAR TEAM
Services for Teens At Risk

Philosophy

The STAR Team is committed to the concept of student assistance for identification, referral and intervention in behalf of students at risk and to taking a proactive stance in the area or prevention.   The Marple Newtown School District recognizes that students are placed at risk by a veriety of internal and external pressures which must be resolved before students can benefit to the maximum degree from the instructional program.

Introduction

The Marple Newtown School District has developed the STAR Team to provide assistance to all students.  The purpose of the STAR program is fourfold:

1. To identify students who are having problems in school due to drug/alcohol use or mental health problems.
2. To intervene when appropriate by personal contact and/or assessment.
3. To refer identified students for help.
4. To provide student groups for education, prevention, and support.

The Student Assistance Program (STAR) is not a treatment program.  It seeks to identify students who exhibit forms of "at risk" behavior, such as suicidal intent, deprssion, drug and alcohol use and abuse.  It also provides for intervention by making referrals to outside agencies.

The STAR Team is composed of staff members who have expressed an interest in helping students deal with personal problems.  The members include teachers, administrators, counselors, the school nurse, and the school psychologist.  Team members have been specially trained to work with at-risk students.  The team provides students and their families with information and resources to help them understand and resolve their problems.

Characteristics of Students at Risk

I.  Life History Events

  STUDENTS WHO: 

-need to be perfect
-are loners
- don't seem to fit in
- have had parents separate or divorce
- have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or grandparent
- have a family history of suicide or depression
- fail at relationships, fail at school, and/or fail at work
- have recently moved from another area
- are victims of rape, child abuse or other assault

II.   Depressive Symptoms

  STUDENTS WHO: 

- feel helpless, hopeless or worthless
- show dramatic changes in their behavior
- no longer find pleasure in activities
- search for a sympathetic ear
- say that their families don't understand them or are not interested in them
- feel excessive guilt
- are preoccupied with morbid thoughts, songs, stories, games

III.   Behaviors

  STUDENTS WHO: 

- belittle themselves
- exhibit bizarre behavior, such as self-mutilation
- have had previous suicide attempts
- are excessive risk-takers, or dare-devils
- have difficulty attending school
- are abusing drugs or alcohol
- have frequent crying spells
- are sexually promiscuous
- continually fail at school

IV.   Suicidal Symptoms

  STUDENTS WHO:

- talk about suicide or a desire not to live
- give away prized possessions
- make an effort to make up with those from whom they are estranged
- write a Will
- take excessive risks

Confidentiality Guidelines

In order to develop a trusting relationship with the students who are referred to the STAR Team, it is necessary to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.

The following guidelines will be followed:

  I.   The STAR Team will strongly encourage the students to give permission to share relevant information with   their classroom teachers.

  II.   Students may request that information be shared with their classroom teachers.

  III.   If permission is not given or request for information to be shared is not received, the STAR Team members   may only indicate whether the student in question is, or is not, a team referral.

  IV.   The exceptions to confidentiality are:

  a. If the student has threatened to harm herself/himself.
  b. If the student has threatened to harm another person.
  c. If the student is a victim of suspected abuse:  emotional, physical, sexual or neglect.
  d. If the student is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs while in school.

  V. All after-care plans, mental health treatment plans, psychological and/or psychiatric evaluations are not kept
  in the students' permanent record file.  All the above stated materials are kept in secured files in restricted
  areas.

Star Referral Procedure

I.  Who can make referrals?

  A. Any student.
  B. Any prefessional staff member.
  C. Any support staff member.
  D. Any family member.

II.  How can an individual make a referral?

  A. Contact directly any STAR Team member personally or in writing.
  B. Call the counseling office and make a request to be put in contact with a team member.

III.  When can an individual make a referral?  Anytime.

IV.  How are referrals and feedback handled?  See Accompanying Flow Chart

Marple Newtown Start Team Student Assistance Model
(Services for Teens At Risk)

Referral (Problem in School)
|
Case Manager Assigned
(Meet with Student)
|

Identification

Paperwork

(Meet with Student)
|
Report to Team
|
Make Recommendation for Help if Required
(Meet with Student and Parent)
|
In House  or  Outside  

Referral

|
|
Report Back to Teachers

Star Team Directory
(School Year 2003-2004)