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 Experienced SAP professionals report that lack of demand by students for assistance is never an issue in program sustainability; rather, the funding or availability of staff positions sufficient to support student needs is where a SAP continuously struggles. While the explicit cost of a particular program will depend on the selected program model, range of services, and resource availability, there are several distinct approaches in the field to organizing an SAP that carry different cost implications. Major options are outlined below.
Single School Site Models
Four basic SAP models for programs based in single schools can be identified. These programs have fundamentally different strengths, limitations, and cost implications, and their features can be combined or adapted according to local need and capacity.
- Volunteer/Staff Model - This approach requires the least new budgetary allocation because it utilizes existing school staff. On-site staff (teachers, counselors, and/or other support staff) are trained in essential SAP skills (e.g., screening, engagement, focused service) and their volunteer time is allocated to working with students and their families. At smaller schools, the SAP team might consist of one or two individuals. Larger school sites can utilize a Core Team approach.
Costs to operate this model are minimal. However, there are implicit costs associated with allocation of staff time to these services. Staff can be paid a stipend for their extra time, or a substitute teacher can be hired on a regular basis to rotate between team members’ classes, leaving team members free to do case management.
- Core Team Model - This approach internalizes the program within the school, and integrates SAP referral, screening, planning and service provision. It is a variation of the volunteer/staff model described above. The Core Team consists of 6 - 8 multidisciplinary personnel, ideally a campus administrator, school counselor, trained SAP counselor or SAP specialist, social worker, classroom teacher, school nurse and other student services staff. This model is feasible for both larger and smaller schools, and may also apply in a district-wide program (see below).
Many schools manage the program within their existing budget. If the use of a SAP counselor to guide the Core Team is preferred, the cost for a year-round SAP-designated counselor is around $48,000 to $55,000, without benefits. This model can also be conducted with the use of a SAP specialist of paraprofessional status for typically around $25,000.
- Counselor Model - This approach uses school or community-based counseling resources to provide SAP services on a fee-for-service basis. Hourly cost estimates can vary widely depending on the arrangement with a local counselor or community-based service provider. Costs will depend on screening and referral processes, and number of days of service and types of services provided. An advantage to this model is that its cost is flexible based on demand.
- Community Agency Model - This model also involves contracts with external providers. However, the approach is more comprehensive, using an external agency to fully organize and administer the SAP, as opposed to contracting for individual counseling services. The community agency works with the school to establish screening and referral processes, and provides skilled clinicians to work with students and parents.
Costs will vary depending on scope of service; typically this model will be founded on a base contract amount with the possibility of additional costs on a fee-for-service basis. Experience supports an estimated cost range to operate from $20,000 to over $80,000.
District-Wide Model
SAP services may also be provided district-wide. District services may utilize a mixture of the above approaches, but tend to be more comprehensive in the overall organizational structure with key administrative staff based at a centralized hub at the district office and site counselors located at individual schools.
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