SCIP Celebrates 25 Years
by Rick Weatherholt
November 20, 2008
SCIP Celebrates 25 years.
Did you know that the School Community Intervention Program (SCIP) has been an integral part of schools in Nebraska for 25 years? It began in four Lincoln Public High Schools in the fall of 1983. In 1985, SCIP expanded to middle schools, some schools in Region V, and non-pubic schools across Nebraska. Seward Public Schools has been involved with SCIP since 1986.
SCIP is a confidential process to help identify students having difficulties being successful in school. At Seward Middle School there is a group of eight staff members who serve on the SCIP team. It is highly recommended that all members receive SCIP training. While the original model of SCIP training remains constant, new presentations and topics are added to the annual SCIP training each summer, just as new issues arise for SCIP Teams in schools to address with their students.
One significant change for SCIP that many people don't realize is that SCIP is available in schools to help students who may be experiencing difficulties not only related to drug and alcohol use, but also to students whose difficulties at school may stem from mental or behavioral health concerns. Teachers and other staff are encouraged to identify any students who are experiencing these difficulties and who may benefit from SCIP. Not only can teachers refer students, but parents may also contact the school and make referrals.
SCIP has cooperative agreements with community agencies across the state to provide screenings at no charge for SCIP referrals. This provides schools with resources to offer families that allow community professionals in the fields of substance abuse and mental/behavioral health to assess what kinds of issues may be affecting a student and what kinds of services are available to help that family address those concerns. It takes schools out of the role of having to diagnose a student, but allows the school to express care and concern when issues arise at school, and gives support to parents.
