The School Intervention Program

(ScIP)

A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION...

     The School Intervention Program is intended to help students and their families identify and overcome situations leading to or underlying high risk behaviors.  Students in Dorchester School District Two can be referred to ScIP for any behavior that warrants expulsion from school.  This includes accumulation of disciplinary violations because of fighting, disrespect, use of alcohol or other drugs, smoking cigarettes, etc.  The Trustees and Administrators of Dorchester School District Two have a sincere interest in every student and his or her family in the system and in helping each to be successful in school.

     We hope you will be successful in completing ScIP and that you will find this program to be a step in the right direction as you continue through school and through life.

THE PROGRAM...

     The School Intervention Program consists of four components:

Identification

Assessment

Counseling

Group Therapy

     Identification takes place in the school system when teachers, administrators or staff members identify the student as having exhibited behaviors that are problematic in school.

     Assessment of the student and his/her family is completed by the School Intervention Program staff.  PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IS REQUIRED.  ScIP officials may recommend and refer the student and family to another agency or treatment program for more intensive treatment if that is deemed necessary.  A student recommended to another agency for treatment is successfully completed from ScIP when treatment in the other agency program is successfully completed.

     Counseling  in the School Intervention Program is a multi-faceted program.  Students and parents may be counseled separately, and families may be counseled as a unit.  Every effort is made to provide grouping which ScIP officials determine will most effectively meet the needs of the student and his/her family.  Parental involvement is mandatory for successful completion of the program.  All counselors working with ScIP are licensed by the State of South Carolina.

     Group Therapy is an integral part of ScIP and most families are required to complete a series of weekly group sessions before the student can be designated as successfully completed from the program.  Family members may be enrolled in adolescent groups and/or multiple family groups according to their needs as determined by ScIP officials.  In the group sessions, group members enrolled in ScIP join together for mutual sharing of problems and discussions of effective communication and problem solving.  A counselor meets with the group each time to act as a moderator and facilitator.

COSTS...

     Families are expected to pay for ScIP counseling services and are generally expected to make a down payment at the time of enrollment.

The cost of the ScIP is $350.00.

     If alternate financial plans are necessary, they should be discussed with ScIP officials during the assessment period.  Each family will be asked to sign a contract during this period and will receive a copy of that contract.  We accept cash, check, MasterCard/Visa and Medicaid for substance related services.

COMPLETING THE PROGRAM...

     Successful completion of ScIP is dependent upon the following factors:

Students and their families are expected to attend all required sessions.

Students and their families are expected to participate in counseling.  Enrollment in ScIP is allowed in lieu of expulsion to assist students who wish to remain in school.  Improvements needed to overcome attitudes and behavior patterns which led to referral to ScIP can only occur when the student and his/her family are willing to participate in counseling.

Completion of ScIP varies for each family.  Families may expect to complete the program within 4 to 6 months.

A student enrolled in ScIP beyond the end of the regular school year must complete the program before he/she is promoted and/or receives academic credit for the year.  Seniors shall not be eligible to receive their diploma, participate in graduation exercises or receive final transcripts until the program is completed.

Report cards are held by the schools until the program has been completed.  Every effort will be made to complete the ScIP cycle before the new school year begins; however, a student enrolled in ScIP through the summer who does not complete the program before the school year begins again may register for the next grade provided he/she is in good standing in ScIP and passed all required subjects for the previous school year.  The student must continue to attend ScIP sessions until he/she completes the program.

PROGRAM BENEFITS...

     The School Intervention Program allows the student to remain in school while he/she learns to modify his/her behavior in an acceptable direction.  Specifically, the student's involvement in ScIP should help him/her to do the following:

     Strengthen or develop intra-personal skills (get self together);

     Strengthen or develop interpersonal skills (learn to deal effectively with others);

     Strengthen or develop systems skills (learn to adapt more easily and take more responsibility for self);

     Strengthen identification with and responsibility for family processes (become a part of something greater than self and learn to carry own weight);

     Develop judgement skills (learn to better utilize resources);

     Strengthen identification with viable role models (learn to see self as the kind of person who is making it).

ADMINISTERED BY...

     The School Intervention Program (ScIP) is administrated by Dorchester Counseling Services, a division of the Dorchester Alcohol and Drug Commission, for Dorchester School District Two.  Policies and procedures stated within are a binding part of the contract between Dorchester School District Two and Dorchester Counseling Services.

DISTRICT TWO POLICY...

BEHAVIOR CODE POLICY...

     In a policy issued July 11, 1988, Trustees of Dorchester School District Two established the following guidelines related to student behavior referral to ScIP:

"Dorchester District Two School administration may utilize the ScIP program to deal with both substance abuse related offenses and severe or chronic behavior situations.  General guidelines concerning the exercise of this option by our administrators for behavior are as follows:

 

Students may be referred to ScIP for behavior situations whenever, in the opinion of the administrator handling the case, such behavior is severe, chronic, and/or habitual enough to warrant the services of ScIP as a means to address the problem.  

 

ALCOHOL/DRUG POLICY...

     In a policy issued July 13, 1992, Trustees of Dorchester School District Two established the following guidelines related to alcohol, drug abuse or use of any illegal substance in the district's schools:

"Students enrolled in the schools of Dorchester Count School District Two shall not use, consume, possess, or distribute alcoholic beverages, drugs, or any illegal substance.  Look-alike substances will be treated as an illegal substance.  Any student violating this regulation shall be expelled from attending school for the remainder of the school year with the following exception - the principal may grant the alternative of attending ScIP administered by Dorchester Counseling Services."

     Cases involving students identified as having a handicapping condition under the provision of PL 94-142 are to be handled in accordance with procedures established by that law and the District Two Special Services Division with regard to referrals, hearings and other Due Process mandates germane to this special situation.

     A student enrolled in ScIP and satisfactorily meeting all requirements for the program will be allowed to remain in school but will continue on probation for the remainder of the school year.  If the student drops out of  ScIP or is dismissed from the program, he or she will be referred to the Hearing Board for possible expulsion.

     A student enrolled in ScIP which extends beyond the end of the regular school year must complete ScIP prior to receiving academic credits for the year.  Seniors shall not be eligible to receive their diplomas, participate in graduation exercises or recieve final transcripts until the program is completed.

VIOLATION OF THE POLICY...

     The policy concerning alcohol, drug or any other illegal substance abuse shall be applicable to students in the following situations: 

1.      When the violation occurs at school during school hours or when participating in a school sponsored activity.

2.      When the violation occurs off campus and the student comes to school under the influence of alcohol or drugs during the school year or participates in a school sponsored activity. 

When a violation occurs, the following procedures will be followed:

1. The student will be turned over to the ScIP liaison.

2. Parents will be notified in writing and by phone when possible.

3. The student may be suspended from school for three(3) school days.

4. Should a student not enroll in ScIP or drop out before completing the program, the student will be expelled for the remainder of the school year.  The student will be referred to the Hearing Board for possible expulsion.  

5. Appropriate forms will be filled out by the ScIP liaison in the school system.

6. Referral will be made to the ScIP specialist at Dorchester Counseling Services.

7. The student may be turned over to the appropriate law enforcement agency if deemed necessary by the principal.