Step 1: A student is referred to the SAP by a school staff member, parent, or self-referral

Step 2: The SAP counselor reviews the referral and determines how to proceed

• If the referral is due to a code of conduct violation, the SAP counselor can begin making plans to conduct a substance use screening survey with the student
• If the referral is not due to a code of conduct violation, parent permission is required to conduct a substance use screening survey with the student unless the student is 18 or older

Step 3: The parent or legal guardian is contacted about the referral; an appointment is scheduled for the parent and student

Step 4: The student completes a substance use screening survey, the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI) (this may occur sooner if a drug violation occurred on a CMS campus)

Step 5: The SAP counselor meets with the student and parent together to conduct a structured interview to gather additional information about student and family strengths and needs.

• Following the interview, overall results of the substance use screening survey are shared
• Survey results and information from the interview are used to determine needed supports
• SAP counselor shares recommendations with the student and parent
• If the student is recommended for CMS interventions, documents are reviewed, signatures obtained, and detailed information about the program is provided

Step 6: The student and family begin recommended intervention

Step 7: The SAP counselor follows-up with the student and family to determine if additional supports or services should be recommended

Services that may be recommended by the SAP counselor include but are not limited to:

• Drug Education: Prime for Life
• This 8-hour evidence-based drug education class is typically offered to families whose students appear to have minimal substance use. This includes students who may be influenced by peer substance use, experimenting with e-cigarettes, or have tried a substance no more than a few times and do not have a pattern of usage. A parent, guardian, or other involved adult must attend with the student.
• Drug Education: The Matrix Model
• This 8-hour evidence-based drug education class is typically offered to families whose students appear to have moderate to heavy substance use. Typically, students referred to this class have developed a pattern of regular use or have other significant risk factors that make this more intensive class more appropriate. A parent, guardian, or other involved adult must attend with the student.
• Drug Education & Intervention: Individual Counseling
• SAP counselors may recommend that your student participate in 1-on-1 evidence-based counseling with him or her at school. While the counselors may choose from a range of resources, some commonly used counseling curricula include Teen Intervene and components of Seeking Safety. Parents will typically need to participate in at least the first session of individual counseling.
• Drug Education & Intervention: Group Counseling
• Like individual counseling, the SAP counselor may choose from a range of evidence-based resources to deliver psycho-educational group counseling focused on substance use prevention & intervention. Groups typically include students of similar age and substance-related needs. Input and support from parents is gained individually prior to the start of group counseling.
• Referral to Community Resources: Substance use treatment
• The SAP counselor may determine that CMS-sponsored education and intervention options are insufficient to address the student's needs. The SAP counselor will support the family in exploring available treatment options, and can facilitate the referral by sharing relevant information with the identified treatment provider with parent and student consent. Families are responsible for the financial costs associated with community-based treatment options.

Danielle Doskocil
Danielle joined CMS since 2007. She is a Licensed School Counselor and a Licensed Professional Counselor in North Carolina and has been in practice since 2000. Danielle received her Master of Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Florida, and a second Masters in Clinical Social Work from the University of Central Florida with specialization certificates in Addictions and Social Policy. Danielle was recently selected for the faculty of the National Conference on Addiction Disorders.

Jennifer Edwards
Jennifer is a product of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, graduating from David W. Butler High School. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Fayetteville State University and Master of Social Work Degree from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.  Jennifer's background in the field of addiction includes opioid dependency and drug prevention services. She joined the Student Assistance Program in 2014.

Valerie Robinson
Valerie has over 25 years of professional experience in rehabilitation and the social services field.  She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and a Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling from South Carolina State University.  She has provided screening and referral services to students identified at risk for substance abuse, and coordinated targeted community-based intervention to serve the needs of parents and students. Val enjoys offering formal and informal individual guidance, motivation and advice to families and youth.

Karen Worrell
Originally from Los Angeles, California, Karen Worrell earned her undergraduate degree from Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, and her Master's in Social Work from Rutgers University in 2004. Soon thereafter, she joined the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools team. Karen became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 2010.  She has worked with schools and nonprofit community agencies in California, New York and New Jersey.  Karen brings a wealth of experience as a medical social worker, program manager and case manager with community based substance abuse agencies, women and children with HIV, dually diagnosed community members and individuals with developmental disabilities. Forever a Southern Californian at heart, Karen loves the beach, Mexican food and all things Los Angeles. 

Leslie Parks
Leslie joined CMS since 1999 as a SAP Counselor. She worked as a CMS Middle School Counselor for six years and has returned to the Student Assistance Program in 2017-2018 school year. Leslie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Wilberforce University and a Masters in Counseling from Ohio University. She is a National Board Certified School Counselor and a Licensed Professional Counselor. Leslie has at least 17 years working in the substance abuse field working with adolescence, adults and dually diagnosed individuals in varies treatment settings. Leslie enjoys working with adolescence and their families as substance abuse often impacts the entire family.