A Collaborative Analysis of Trends in Referrals to the Pennsylvania Student Assistance Program from 2013 to 2018

BACKGROUND: The Student Assistance Program (SAP) is mandated kindergarten to 12th grade in Pennsylvania schools to address barriers to student academic success. Following student referral, SAP teams use a systematic process to inform recommendations for school or community-based services. To evaluate program outcomes, a review of student SAP referral trends over a 5-year period was undertaken.

METHODS: The Pennsylvania Network for Student Assistance Services (PNSAS), the state leadership providing oversight of SAP, partnered with Penn State College of Medicine in a retrospective analysis of student referral data from 2013 to 2018. Public school enrollment demographics were used for comparison. Frequencies and percentages were calculated.

RESULTS: Referrals (total n = 352,640) increased by 24% over the 5 years; demographics 55% male, 69% non-Hispanic white, 16% non-Hispanic black, and 10% Hispanic. Referrals were most commonly for behavioral concerns (31%). Discontinued referrals (39%) were primarily for parent refusal/no permission. Trends included rising minority and elementary referrals over the study period.

CONCLUSIONS: SAP referral demographics were consistent with state public school enrollment race/ethnicity breakdown suggesting lack of systematic bias. The proportion of behavioral referrals was consistent with rising youth behavioral health needs. PNSAS must consider strategies to support rising referral numbers and trends.

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: [A Collaborative Analysis of Trends in Referrals to the Pennsylvania Student Assistance Program from 2013 to 2018. Journal of School Health 93, 4 p331-339 (2022)], which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.13267. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions: https://authorservices.wiley.com/author-resources/Journal-Authors/licensing/self-archiving.html#3.

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Work Title A Collaborative Analysis of Trends in Referrals to the Pennsylvania Student Assistance Program from 2013 to 2018
Access
Open Access
Creators
  1. Deepa L. Sekhar
  2. Eric W. Schaefer
  3. Alicia M. Hoke
  4. Perri Rosen
  5. Roberta A. Chuzie
  6. Dana M. Milakovic
Keyword
  1. Student Assistance Program
  2. School-based supports
  3. Behavior-based referrals
License In Copyright (Rights Reserved)
Work Type Article
Publisher
  1. Journal of School Health
Publication Date November 20, 2022
Publisher Identifier (DOI)
  1. https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.13267
Deposited January 04, 2024

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Version 1
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  • Created
  • Added 4092-5ymanuscript_4.19.22.forrepository.docx
  • Added Creator Deepa L. Sekhar
  • Added Creator Eric W. Schaefer
  • Added Creator Alicia M. Hoke
  • Added Creator Perri Rosen
  • Added Creator Roberta A. Chuzie
  • Added Creator Dana M. Milakovic
  • Published
  • Updated Keyword, Description, Publication Date Show Changes
    Keyword
    • Student Assistance Program, School-based supports, Behavior-based referrals
    Description
    • <p>BACKGROUND: The Student Assistance Program (SAP) is mandated kindergarten to 12th grade in Pennsylvania schools to address barriers to student academic success. Following student referral, SAP teams use a systematic process to inform recommendations for school or community-based services. To evaluate program outcomes, a review of student SAP referral trends over a 5-year period was undertaken. METHODS: The Pennsylvania Network for Student Assistance Services (PNSAS), the state leadership providing oversight of SAP, partnered with Penn State College of Medicine in a retrospective analysis of student referral data from 2013 to 2018. Public school enrollment demographics were used for comparison. Frequencies and percentages were calculated. RESULTS: Referrals (total n = 352,640) increased by 24% over the 5 years; demographics 55% male, 69% non-Hispanic white, 16% non-Hispanic black, and 10% Hispanic. Referrals were most commonly for behavioral concerns (31%). Discontinued referrals (39%) were primarily for parent refusal/no permission. Trends included rising minority and elementary referrals over the study period. CONCLUSIONS: SAP referral demographics were consistent with state public school enrollment race/ethnicity breakdown suggesting lack of systematic bias. The proportion of behavioral referrals was consistent with rising youth behavioral health needs. PNSAS must consider strategies to support rising referral numbers and trends.</p>
    • BACKGROUND: The Student Assistance Program (SAP) is mandated kindergarten to 12th grade in Pennsylvania schools to address barriers to student academic success. Following student referral, SAP teams use a systematic process to inform recommendations for school or community-based services. To evaluate program outcomes, a review of student SAP referral trends over a 5-year period was undertaken.
    • METHODS: The Pennsylvania Network for Student Assistance Services (PNSAS), the state leadership providing oversight of SAP, partnered with Penn State College of Medicine in a retrospective analysis of student referral data from 2013 to 2018. Public school enrollment demographics were used for comparison. Frequencies and percentages were calculated.
    • RESULTS: Referrals (total n = 352,640) increased by 24% over the 5 years; demographics 55% male, 69% non-Hispanic white, 16% non-Hispanic black, and 10% Hispanic. Referrals were most commonly for behavioral concerns (31%). Discontinued referrals (39%) were primarily for parent refusal/no permission. Trends included rising minority and elementary referrals over the study period.
    • CONCLUSIONS: SAP referral demographics were consistent with state public school enrollment race/ethnicity breakdown suggesting lack of systematic bias. The proportion of behavioral referrals was consistent with rising youth behavioral health needs. PNSAS must consider strategies to support rising referral numbers and trends.
    Publication Date
    • 2023-04-01
    • 2022-11-20
  • Updated