Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Student Assistance Coordinator
Endorsement Code: 3461
The Student Assistance Coordinator (SAC) endorsement authorizes the holder to perform the functions of a student assistance coordinator in grades preschool through 12. The position of SAC shall be separate and distinct from any other employment position in the school. The functions of the SAC may include:
- Assisting with the in-service training of school staff concerning substance abuse and related issues and with the district program to combat substance abuse.
- Serving as an information resource for substance abuse prevention, curriculum development and instruction.
- Assisting the district in revising and implementing substance abuse and related policies and procedures.
- Developing and administering substance abuse and related intervention services in the district.
- Providing counseling and referral services to students regarding substance abuse and related problems.
- Cooperating with community service providers or other officials in the rendering of substance abuse and related treatment services.
To be eligible for the Student Assistance Coordinator Certificate of Eligibility (CE), a candidate must meet one of the following three options:
Option 1
Degree Requirement
Hold a bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited college or university.
Certification Requirement
Hold a valid New Jersey or out-of-state standard certificate as school psychologist, school social worker, school counselor, director of school counseling services or school nurse.
Required Graduate Study
Complete graduate study at a New Jersey Department of Education-approved program in the following required areas:
- Fundamentals of substance abuse and dependency
- Child and adolescent development, including research-based strategies for supporting at-risk students
- Curriculum planning, implementation and staff development
- Coordination and delivery of intervention and referral services and prevention services in school and community settings, including multidisciplinary intervention teams
Option 2
Degree Requirement
Hold a bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited college or university.
Certification Requirement
Hold a valid Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor credential issued by the Alcohol and Drug Counselor Committee of the State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners
Required Graduate Study
Complete graduate study at a New Jersey Department of Education-approved program in the following required areas:
- Curriculum planning, implementation and staff development
- School culture and the dynamics of policy and program development
- School law as it relates to substance abuse
Option 3
Degree Requirement
Hold a bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited college or university.
Certification Requirement
Hold a valid Certified Prevention Specialist credential issued by the Addiction Professionals Certification Board of New Jersey
Required Graduate Study
Complete graduate study at a New Jersey Department of Education-approved program in the following required areas:
- Coordination and delivery of intervention and referral services and prevention services in school and community settings, including multidisciplinary intervention teams
- Assessment and counseling of students and families affected by substance abuse
- School culture and the dynamics of policy and program development
- School law as it relates to substance abuse
To be eligible for the Student Assistance Coordinator Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS), a candidate must meet the following:
Certification Requirement
Hold one of the following:
- A valid standard New Jersey or out-of-state instructional certificate
- A valid New Jersey or out-of-state standard certificate as school psychologist, school social worker, school counselor, director of school counseling services or school nurse
- A valid Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor credential issued by the Alcohol and Drug Counselor Committee of the State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners
- A valid Certified Prevention Specialist credential issued by the Addiction Professionals Certification Board of New Jersey
- A master’s or higher degree from an accredited college or university
Required Graduate Study
Complete a New Jersey Department of Education-approved graduate program with a minimum of 21 semester-hour credits that include study in the following required areas:
- Fundamentals of substance abuse and dependency
- Child and adolescent development, including research-based strategies for supporting at-risk students
- Curriculum planning, implementation, and staff development
- Coordination and delivery of intervention and referral services and prevention services in school and community settings, including multidisciplinary intervention teams
- Assessment and counseling of students and families affected by substance abuse
- School culture and the dynamics of policy and program development
- School law as it relates to substance abuse
- A college-supervised SAC practicum
Notes
All credits/degree(s) must appear on an accredited four-year college/university transcript.
This certificate is requested by a school district for a newly hired Student Assistance Counselor (SAC) after the SAC obtains a Certificate of Eligibility (CE) or a Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS). A candidate cannot apply for this certificate on their own.
Novice SAC with a provisional certificate must participate in a SAC school-based residency program which will lead to standard certification.
Certification Requirement
Hold a New Jersey SAC provisional certificate.
Required Graduate Study
CE holders must complete graduate-level coursework in the SAC topics as outlined above in the CEAS requirements. Holders of a SAC CEAS are exempt from this requirement.
Residency Program
Complete a school-based residency program.