What is the Student Assistance Program (S.A.P.)?
The S.A.P. is a confidential on-site program that provides services to students and families who are experiencing circumstances that are interfering with their education or quality of life.
WHO CAN USE THE SERVICES OF THE S.A.P.?
Students may refer themselves for services, or referrals can be made by a parent, sibling, friend, teacher, counselor, hall monitor or administrator. Basically, anyone with a concern may refer.
Students who want to talk about a concern may contact Student Assistance via email or phone, stop by the Student Assistance Center during the school day, ask a counselor or teacher to contact the Student Assistance Center for them, or simply leave a note under the door of the Student Assistance Center if the specialist is out of the building. The Student Assistance Center is in Room 249 at the Dakota Main Building, and Room 357 at the Ninth Grade Center.
Any parent can use the S.A.P. with or without a referral by calling the confidential direct line.
Students are offered an opportunity to participate in workshops that provide education on the effects of alcohol and other drugs, explore self-esteem issues, problem solve issues at home, discuss peer pressure, and build decision-making and coping skills. The following student groups are available:
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Concerned Persons – students who live with the alcohol or other drug use of a significant person in their life
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Grief and Loss – Students who have experienced the death of a loved one by accident or illness
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Survivors of Suicide – Students who have experienced the death of a loved one by suicide
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Problem Solving – Students who are experiencing problems at home with parents or siblings that could be problem solved with a group setting
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Transgender Youth and family Group – Meets 2nd Monday of each month virtually: Parents from 6-7pm and teens from 7:15-8:15pm.
Parents who are seeking support and education related to lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender issues for teens: contact us for individual support or come to our support group. See below for additional resources!
Contact Information
Feel free to reach out with any questions, concerns or referrals.
MAIN BUILDING - ROOM 249:
Stephanie Lange, LMSW, ACSW, CAAC, CCS-M
slange@cvs.k12.mi.us
(586) 723-2872
NINTH GRADE CENTER - ROOM 357:
Laurie Black
lblack2@cvs.k12.mi.us
(586) 723-3331
Upcoming Events
Student Assistance Program Newsletters
Resources
Local Professional Counseling/Therapy Referrals List
SUBSTANCE ABUSE:
- Youth Vaping PSA
- Youth Marijuana PSA
- Current Popular Vape Devices--updated 4/23
- Substance Use + Mental Health in Teens & Young Adults: Your Guide to Recognizing & Addressing Co-occurring Disorders
- When Opioid Pain Relievers are Prescribed for Your Child: What Parents Should Know
- Find Out the Truth About Drugs - Downloads and Resources
- What You Need to Know About Youth & Alcohol--PDF
VAPING:
- DHS Student Assistance lesson: Vaping and Your Health (Powerpoint)
- CDC: Vaping/E-Cigarette Use Among Use
- 1-minute video to help parents identify vape devices
- Parents: Vaping Conversation Guide
- Quit Resource: My Life My Quit--A free and confidential text-based program geared toward young people
- Quit Resource: Smokefree.gov for Teens
MARIJUANA:
- DHS Student Assistance Lesson: Marijuana and Your Health (Powerpoint)
- Cannabis Resource Center
- Infographic: What You Need to Know About Youth & Marijuana
- Marijuana Talk Kit - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids
- Mobilizing Michigan - Protecting Our Kids From Marijuana Tool Kit
- Video (56 minutes): Chronic State - How marijuana normalization impacts communities
MENTAL HEALTH:
- Macomb County Community Mental Health--Expanded services including mental health, substance use, crisis line, and medical health care. ANY INSURANCE.
- KnowResolveis a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting mental health and preventing youth suicide through outreach, advocacy and education.
- Detour Project is an expressive art program designed to give teens the tools and skills needed to start a creative practice that will help improve their overall well-being. These workshops and activities help relieve stress, create a sense of purpose and connection, and most importantly… they are FUN! LEARN MORE
- MyStrength.com--Personalized mental health support
- Headspace: meditation & mindfulness resource
- Child Mind Institute: Expert clinicians can do telehealth evaluations and treatment for ADHD, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorders and learning disorders + a variety of other mental health resources!
The University of Michigan TRAILS program provides student/family-centered educational materials and resources related to ANXIETY, DEPRESSION & TRAUMA, along with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based tips, strategies, and worksheets that you and your family may benefit from.
Click the image below for more information about this program, or click on the resources linked below that we have identified as potentially beneficial for students and their families!
- WHAT IS ANXIETY?
- 10 SIGNS OF ANXIETY
- WHAT IS DEPRESSION?
- WHAT DEPRESSION ACTUALLY FEELS LIKE
- TRAUMA AND POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS INFO SHEET
- THOUGHTS & FEELINGS AFTER TRAUMA
CBT-BASED COPING STRATEGIES & WORKSHEETS:
- HEALTHY THINKING
- UP-AND-DOWN SPIRALS
- RELAXATION TECHNIQUES
- WHAT IS MINDFULNESS?
- MINDFUL ACTIVITY CALENDAR
- WHAT CAN I SAY TO MYSELF? COPING THOUGHTS
- THINKING TRAPS: UNHELPFUL THINKING STYLES
- CYCLE OF INACTIVITY
- WEEKLY SCHEDULE FOR BEHAVIORAL ACTIVATION
- FACING MY FEARS WORKSHEET
LGBTQ STUDENT RESOURCES:
SUPPORT GROUPS at Dakota for ALL transgender youth & their families: VIEW FLYER for more information
Join the student-led GENDER & SEXUALITY ALLIANCE (GSA) at Dakota--We meet every Monday after school in Room 249. Email Mrs. Lange with questions: slange@cvs.k12.mi.us or call (586) 723-2872. All are welcome. GSA is not a support group--we are an advocacy and awareness group that welcomes all students!
ARE YOU TRYING TO UNDERSTAND YOUR CHILD'S SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR IDENTITY? COME TO A FREE SUPPORT GROUP MEETING FOR FAMILIES - Last Tuesday of the month at 7pm - Hope United Church of Christ 35127 Garfield, Clinton Twp. MI 48035
The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project provides 24/7 crisis support services to LGBTQ young people. Text, chat, or call anytime to reach a trained counselor. Free and confidential.
SAFE SPACES Program:
OTHER RESOURCES:
- Help Your Student Make Healthy Choices About Technology: Parents' Guide to Social Networking
- Side Effects of Social Media--a family tool for discussion around social media use
Screen time & families: How to Protect Sleep, Attention, & Family Relationships
Student Assistance Staff are moderators of Coalition Teen Council (CTC), a youth organization at Dakota that focuses on the education and prevention of youth substance use, as well as the promotion of positive mental health & the prevention of youth suicide.
CTC is the youth representation of our larger Chippewa Valley Coalition for Youth & Families comprised of educators, community agencies, health organizations, the police, religious organizations and more, all with a stake in the promotion of youth physical and mental well-being.
Click the logos below to visit the Coalition Teen Council & Chippewa Valley Coalition for Youth & Families websites.
STUDENT ASSISTANCE STAFF
Stephanie Lange, LMSW, ACSW, CAADC, CCS-M
Dakota High School
Student Assistance Specialist
slange@cvs.k12.mi.us
(586) 723-2872
Laurie Black
Dakota High School Ninth Grade Center
Student Assistance Specialist
lblack2@cvs.k12.mi.us
(586) 723-3331