Mixed Deck — All SAC Topics Flashcards

According to Erikson's psychosocial theory, an adolescent who fails to resolve the identity vs. role confusion stage may experience:

Answer: Role confusion and an unstable sense of self

Erikson's Stage 5 (Identity vs. Role Confusion) occurs during adolescence; failure to establish a coherent identity results in role confusion and difficulty forming a stable self-concept.

Which of the following is a key function of a student assistance counselor?

Answer: Support at-risk students

A key function of a Student Assistance Counselor (SAC) is to identify and support at-risk students who may be struggling with substance abuse, mental health issues, or other personal challenges. SACs provide direct counseling, crisis intervention, and connect students and their families with appropriate school and community resources. Their role is crucial in ensuring the well-being and academic success of vulnerable students.

A student shares information that reveals their parent may have a substance use disorder that is affecting the home environment. The SAC should:

Answer: Assess the impact on the student's safety and well-being and consider appropriate next steps

The SAC must first assess how parental substance use is affecting the student's safety and welfare before determining what action, if any, is required.

A SAC counselor documents all group session notes using a standardized format. This practice primarily supports quality assurance by:

Answer: Ensuring consistency, comparability, and program auditability

Standardized documentation ensures records are consistent across sessions and counselors, supporting program audits and outcome comparison.

A SAC counselor learns that a student plans to skip school to avoid a bully but has no plan to harm anyone. The counselor's obligation regarding this information is to:

Answer: Explore the issue within the counseling relationship without automatically disclosing

Truancy due to bullying is a welfare concern to explore therapeutically; it does not typically meet the threshold for mandatory disclosure unless there is imminent danger.

A student discloses ongoing marijuana use but poses no danger to self or others. The SAC counselor should:

Answer: Maintain confidentiality unless a specific mandatory reporting law requires otherwise

While substance use may be illegal, it typically does not trigger mandatory reporting unless the student meets criteria for imminent danger; the counselor should follow applicable state law and ethics codes.

What does professional liability insurance protect a SAC practitioner against?

Answer: Financial loss from claims of negligence, errors, or omissions in professional services

Professional liability insurance (errors and omissions coverage) protects practitioners from the financial consequences of claims alleging negligence, mistakes, or failure to perform professional duties, covering legal defense costs and settlements.

Anabolic-androgenic steroids are classified as a Schedule III controlled substance primarily because of their:

Answer: High potential for psychological dependence and abuse

Anabolic steroids are Schedule III due to their moderate-to-low physical dependence potential but significant potential for psychological dependence and nonmedical abuse.

Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between a school SAC and a community treatment provider?

Answer: To formalize roles, referral procedures, and communication protocols between the two entities

An MOU establishes a clear framework for collaboration, including each party's responsibilities and how they will communicate about shared students.

A student with a history of substance use is being discharged from an outpatient treatment program. The SAC's MOST important role is to:

Answer: Coordinate with the treatment provider to develop a school-based relapse prevention plan

Coordination between the treatment provider and school SAC ensures continuity of care and a targeted relapse prevention plan within the school setting.

When a conflict arises between standard procedures and a unique situation in Quality Assurance & Improvement, what should a SAC professional prioritize?

Answer: Safety and ethical obligations while seeking expert consultation

Safety and ethics always take priority in Quality Assurance & Improvement. When standard procedures don't adequately address a unique situation, consulting with experienced colleagues or supervisors ensures both safety and professional standards are maintained.

A community agency requests that a SAC counselor provide aggregate (non-identifying) data about student substance use trends. This request:

Answer: May be fulfilled without individual consent if all identifying information is removed

Truly de-identified, aggregate data that cannot be traced back to individuals does not constitute a protected educational record under FERPA.

A SAC plans to use focus groups to gather stakeholder feedback on a proposed program. Which participant composition BEST ensures balanced perspectives?

Answer: A purposive mix of students, parents, teachers, and community representatives

Purposively including diverse stakeholder groups captures varied perspectives, reducing the risk of bias from any single constituency.

Under the Virginia Threat Assessment Guidelines, a 'transient threat' is best described as:

Answer: An expression of frustration without genuine intent to harm

Transient threats are expressions of anger or frustration that, upon brief inquiry, are not accompanied by genuine intent to harm and can be resolved quickly.

Under FERPA, when a SAC shares student attendance data with an external community partner for program evaluation purposes, which condition MUST be met?

Answer: The student's parents or eligible student must provide written consent, or the sharing must qualify under a FERPA exception

FERPA requires written consent or an applicable exception (such as the school official exception with a data-sharing agreement) before student records are shared with outside parties.

Which action should a SAC counselor take when evaluation data shows that the current prevention curriculum is ineffective?

Answer: Replace it with an evidence-based curriculum and re-evaluate

Replacing an ineffective curriculum with an evidence-based alternative and re-evaluating demonstrates a responsive, data-driven quality improvement process.

A SAC counselor observing a student with pinpoint pupils, slowed breathing, and drowsiness should suspect use of:

Answer: Opioids

Pinpoint (miotic) pupils, respiratory depression, and sedation are the classic triad of opioid intoxication.

A student discloses that she has been using marijuana and asks the SAC to keep it confidential. Which factor most directly limits the SAC's ability to maintain confidentiality?

Answer: State mandatory reporting statutes and school policy

State statutes and school district policy set the legal and procedural limits on confidentiality, overriding a counselor's personal commitment to keep a disclosure private.

Which principle guides the selection of an evidence-based program (EBP) for a student assistance initiative?

Answer: Matching the EBP's target population, setting, and outcomes to the school's specific needs and demographics

EBP selection requires alignment between the program's validated conditions and the local context to maximize the likelihood of replicating its proven effects.

Which outcome measure is MOST appropriate for evaluating the effectiveness of a school-based substance use prevention program?

Answer: Pre- and post-program data on student knowledge, attitudes, and use rates

Pre- and post-program data directly measure changes in the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors the prevention program targets.