Bigfork School’s Student Assistance Program is available to all Bigfork students and consists of peer support groups led by trained teachers during the school day. These voluntary support groups are part of our district-wide substance abuse prevention program.

The goals of these groups are to increase students’ self-esteem, improve communication, and develop decision making and problem solving strategies. Students who participate in a group will gain valuable life-long skills and be better equipped to effectively cope with pressures associated with their formative years.

Students may be referred to a group by parents or teachers. Middle school and high school students have the opportunity to sign up for a support group each semester. Groups are scheduled so that students only miss one class once a week for eight weeks. Students are asked to check in with their classroom teacher prior to each group and are expected to make up any missed work.

Parents are informed of this program through a parent letter at the start of each school year. Students are encouraged to share with parents what they are learning about in group, but are not allowed to repeat what other group members have shared in the group setting.
The program is evaluated through the use of confidential student surveys given at the final session of each group.

Contact: Jennifer Wood

12 Components of the Student Assistance Program

The Student Assistance Program is a comprehensive primary prevention and early intervention program for students in kindergarten to post-secondary. The program uses a systematic effort to educate, identify, assess, refer, and support students with drug abuse problems and other high-risk behaviors that are getting in the way of their education and life development.

The following are the 12 components:

ADVISORY BOARD
DISTRICT POLICIES, PHILOSOPHY, PROCEDURES
EDUCATION OF ALL STAFF
IDENTIFICATION AND REFERRAL
SUPPORT GROUPS
PREVENTION ACTIVITIES
EDUCATION AND SUPPORT PARENTS/COMMUNITY
CURRICULUM INFUSION
COMMUNITY NETWORKING
EVALUATION
PROGRAM LEADERSHIP AND ADMINISTRATION
STAFF WELLNESS