What is the CARES Program?

In Pennsylvania, every middle and high school and some elementary schools have a Student Assistance Program (SAP). A SAP team, made up of school and community agency staff, is here to help you access school and community services. Council Rock SAP teams are called CARES teams (Children at Risk in the Educational System).

Do You See Your Child Showing Any of These Behaviors?

- Withdrawing from family, friends and/or school

- Changing friends; no longer spends time with old friends

- Unexplained physical injuries

- Talking about suicide

- Depressed

- Defying authority, both at home and at school

- Acting aggressively

- Lying

- Needing money without an explanation

- Sudden drop in grades

- Experimenting with drugs or alcohol

Are You Concerned About Your Child’s Reaction to:

- Recent death of a loved one

- Divorce/separation of parents

- Family relocation

- A relationship problem

- Stress

- Other traumatic event

If your child is having trouble in or out of school, we can assist. There may be times when you just don’t know how to help your child. That’s okay; someone else may know how to support you.

Don’t feel embarrassed or uncomfortable about asking for help. When it’s needed, knowing how and where to find assistance can be overwhelming.

How Does My Child Become Involved in the Program?

Your school’s CARES team will help you find services and assistance within the school and, if needed, the community. We do not diagnose, treat, or refer your child for treatment. Rather, we will provide you with information; you make the choices. Remember, you are part of our team. Our goal is to facilitate your child’s success in school.

Students come to the CARES team in different ways. There are a number of ways that a student might be referred for CARES intervention. For example, any school staff member, a student’s friend or family member can let the CARES team know that they are worried about someone. The students themselves can even go directly to the CARES team to ask for help. However, the CARES team will not become involved unless we receive parent consent.

What If Someone Has Already Referred My Child to the Program?

First, know that your child was referred because someone is concerned about observable changes they are seeing in your child. Perhaps a teacher or friend has noticed changes in behavior and habits that you may or may not have notice at home. Your observations of your child at home are important.

The CARES team will request that you sign a permission form for your child to become involved in the program. Once you sign, the CARES team will begin to work with you and your child. If you feel you need more information before making a decision, please let your CARES team know. If you do not sign the permission form, the CARES team will not become involved. Participation is voluntary.

What Happens After I Give My Permission?

There are several steps that the team will take after you sign the permission form:

1. The CARES team will gather specific information about your child’s performance in school from all school staff who have contact with your child. A CARES member will also talk with you either in person or over the phone about your observations, your child’s strengths, and your concerns.

2. Together, you and the CARES team will develop a plan of action to help your child achieve success in school. The plan might include services and activities in school and/or services from a community agency. If necessary, the CARES team will talk with you about services in the community and give you information on how to contact others who may be able to assist.

3. The CARES team will continue to work with you and support your child. They will stay in touch with you to talk about your child’s progress and success in school. Your continued involvement is very important.

Contacting Your School’s CARES Program

If you feel that your child may need help, call your child’s school and ask to speak with a member of the CARES team. Someone will be there to lend a hand.

- CRHS North Pat Wargo 215-944-1352

- CRHS South Irene Cavatore 215-944-1176

- Holland MS Dan Greenland 215-944-2799

- Newtown MS Rich Hollahan 215-944-2600

- Richboro MS Rebecca Grimm 215-944-2500

-Sloan School Tom Coates 215-944-2970

Privacy

The CARES team and the school will respect you and your child’s privacy at all times.

Supported by: The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Departments of Education, Health and Public Welfare (9/05)