START

__START Team__
In Pennsylvania, every middle school and high school have a Student Assistance Program (SAP). At Unami, we have a START Team, which stands for **STudents At Risk Team.** START is designed to help identify and support students who may be at risk for various concerns. Some "high risk" concerns may include substance abuse, physical and sexual abuse, eating disorders, depression, school phobia, suicide prevention, and truancy. Our START team is staffed by Unami teachers, counselors, the nurse, administrators, and appropriate agencies from the community. START members are trained to identify and refer high risk students for appropriate assessment.

This year, our START team members include: Mrs. Houpert (Team Leader), Mr. Boyle. Mrs. Caldwell, Mrs. Dougherty, Mrs. Dulsky, Mr. Fischer, Mrs. Kuney, Mrs. Leonardo, Mrs. Lukens, Mr. O'Neill, Mr. Swanson, and Mrs. McLaughlin. Any START team member can help you to make a referral or get information about the START process. START referrals can also be dropped off in the START mailbox outside of the Nurse's office.

Team interventions occur for the benefit of the students, their families, and the school by relaying factual information to the students and their families. The goal of the intervention is to encourage the students to seek further assistance in addressing the problems that face them.  The following agencies (and links) have been an integral part of our START team, and can provide additional assistance and community referrals upon request. Please refer to the blue pages of your telephone directory for a comprehensive listing of available human services. [|Bucks County Council for Alcohol and Drug Dependence] [|Lenape Valley Foundation]
 * //Confidential referrals//** for high-risk students come from students, parents, teachers, counselors, administrators, and/or community members. If there is a concern for the physical and emotional well-being of a student, please contact any START member. Referral forms are available in the Guidance Department or Nurse's Office.