The purpose of this document is to provide a resource guide for Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) programs, curricula, and supplementary programs. 

Beginning in the 2018-19 school year, public school students in grades six through twelve are required to receive instruction related to the prevention of opioid abuse.

(a) Pilot program established.— The Drug and Alcohol Recovery High School Pilot Program is established to provide a program of instruction in grades 9 through 12 meeting State academic Standard for students who are in recovery from drug or alcohol abuse or addiction. (b) Designation.— Not later than November 1, 2017, the Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, shall: (1) Designate a facility that satisfies all of the following to serve as the recovery high school for purposes of the program: (i) Is licensed as a private academic school under the act of January 28, 1988 (P.L.24, No.11), known as the Private Academic Schools Act. (ii) Is located in a school district of the first class. (iii) Is currently operating as a recovery high school. (iv) Has adopted and follows accreditation Standard and best practices set forth by the Association of Recovery Schools. (v) Has been a member of the Association of Recovery Schools during the 2016-2017 school year. (2) Post notice of the designation on the department’s publicly accessible Internet website.

(a) Maximum participation.— Beginning in the 2017-2018 school year, a maximum of 20 students in grades 9 through 12 may be enrolled in the recovery high school under the program at any one time. (b) Vacancies.— If a student enrolled in the recovery high school under the program withdraws or graduates from the recovery high school, the vacancy may be filled by another student. (c) Student requirements.— A student may enroll in the recovery high school under the program if the following apply: (1) (i) Subject to subparagraph (ii), the student resides in a school district of the first class, which has approved the student’s enrollment in the recovery high school under the program and, with the written consent of the student’s parent or guardian, has applied for enrollment in the recovery high school on the student’s behalf. (ii) If fewer than 20 students residing in a school district of the first class enroll in the recovery high school under the program at any time under subparagraph (i), a student who resides in a school district other than a school district of the first class may enroll in the recovery high school under the program if the student’s resident school district has approved the student’s enrollment in the recovery high school under the program and, with the written consent of the student’s parent or guardian, has applied for enrollment in the recovery high school on the student’s behalf. (2) The student has at least 30 days of sobriety at the time of application for enrollment. (3) The student commits to participate in a recovery plan, including, but not limited to, school-based drug testing, as designed by the recovery high school and approved by the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. (4) The recovery high school approves the student’s enrollment in the recovery high school. A determination by the recovery high school not to approve a student’s enrollment in the recovery high school may not be appealed to the department.

(g) On or before June 1, 1991, the Secretary of Education shall recommend to the General Assembly a plan to require and assist each school district to establish and maintain a program to provide appropriate counseling and support services to students who experience problems related to the use of drugs, alcohol and dangerous controlled substances.

Student assistance program -- A systematic process designed to assist school personnel to identify issues, including alcohol, drugs and others, which pose a barrier to a student's learning and school success. Student assistance is a systematic process using effective and accountable professional techniques to mobilize school resources to remove the barriers to learning, and, when the problem is beyond the scope of the school, to assist the parent and the student with information so they may access services within the community.

(b) Though the variety of student services offered will differ from school to school depending upon its size and the needs of its students, the following categories of services shall be provided by each school entity in planning its student services:

• (2) Diagnostic, intervention and referral services for students who are experiencing problems attaining educational achievement appropriate to their learning potential.
• (i) Student services staff use diagnostic services to identify barriers that limit a student's success in school. Intervention services actively engage student services staff in activities planned to reduce or eliminate specific barriers to student success.
• (ii) Student services staff may arrange for referrals to other school-based or school-linked professionals or may refer parents and guardians to appropriate community-based services for assistance.
• (3) Consultation and coordination services for students who are experiencing chronic problems that require multiple services by teams or specialists.
• (i) Consultation services are used by student services staff, in partnership with parents or guardians, to obtain assistance to address barriers and issues that are outside the scope of the student services professional.
• (ii) Consultation and coordination services may be used to assist in the diagnosis, intervention or referral of students who face barriers to success.
• (iii) Coordination services connect school resources with other available resources to assist students in meeting their educational objectives.

(c) Student services must:

• (1) Be an integral part of the instructional program at all levels of the school system.
• (2) Provide information to students and parents or guardians about educational opportunities of the school's instructional program and how to access these opportunities.
• (3) Provide career information and assessments so that students and parents or guardians might become aware of the world of work and of a variety of career options available to individual students.
• (4) Provide basic health services outlined in Article XIV of the Public School Code of 1949 (24 P.S. §§ 14-1401 -- 14-1423) for students and information to parents or guardians about the health needs of their children.

(d) When student assessments using individual surveys are administered, parents or guardians shall be informed of the nature and scope of the surveys and of their relationship to the educational program of their child, consistent with section 445 of the General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C.A. § 1232h) regarding protection of pupil rights. Parents or guardians, or the student if the student is 18 years of age or older, shall have the right to refuse to participate in the survey by means of procedures established by the school entity.

(e) Persons delivering student services shall be specifically licensed or certified as required by Statuteor regulation.

(f) The Department will provide guidelines and technical assistance to local education agencies in planning student services.

School entities shall plan and provide for a student assistance program under section 1547(g) of the Public School Code of 1949 (24 P.S. § 15-1547(g) regarding alcohol, chemical and tobacco abuse program).