Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 6, March 18, 2024
(a) The student assistance coordinator (SAC) endorsement authorizes the holder to perform the functions of a SAC in preschool through grade 12. The SAC position shall be separate and distinct from any other employment position in the school. The functions of the SAC may include:
1. Assisting with the in-service training of school staff concerning substance abuse and related issues and with the school district program to combat substance abuse;
2. Serving as an information resource for substance abuse prevention, curriculum development, and instruction;
3. Assisting the school district in revising and implementing substance abuse and related policies and procedures;
4. Developing and administering substance abuse and related intervention services in the school district;
5. Providing counseling and referral services to students regarding substance abuse and related problems; and
6. Cooperating with community service providers or other officials in the rendering of substance abuse and related treatment services.
(b) To be eligible for the SAC CE, the candidate shall present one of the following:
1. A bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited college or university; 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; and evidence of graduate study, pursuant to (c)2i through iv below;
2. A bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited college or university, 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, and evidence of graduate study in areas at (c)2iii, vi, and vii below; or
3. A bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited college or university and a valid Certified Prevention Specialist credential issued by the Addiction Professionals Certification Board of New Jersey and evidence of graduate study in areas at (c)2iv, v, vi, and vii below.
(c) To be eligible for the SAC CEAS, the candidate shall:
1. Hold a standard instructional certificate; a school psychologist, school social worker, school counselor, director of school counseling services, or school nurse endorsement; 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; or a master's or higher degree from an accredited college or university;
2. Complete a Department-approved graduate program with a minimum of 21 semester-hour credits that include study in the following required areas:
i. Fundamentals of substance abuse and dependency;
ii. Child and adolescent development, including research-based strategies for supporting at-risk students;
iii. Curriculum planning, implementation, and staff development;
iv. Coordination and delivery of intervention and referral services and prevention services in school and community settings, including multidisciplinary intervention teams;
v. Assessment and counseling of students and families affected by substance abuse;
vi. School culture and the dynamics of policy and program development; and
vii. School law as it relates to substance abuse; and
3. Complete a college-supervised SAC practicum.
1. Possess a SAC CE or CEAS; and
(e) To be eligible for a standard educational services certificate with a SAC endorsement, the candidate shall:
1. Possess a provisional educational services certificate with a SAC endorsement pursuant to (d) above;
2. Complete a Department-approved graduate program pursuant to (c) above.
i. Candidates who posess a SAC CE shall be exempt from the requirement at (c)3 above; and
3. Complete a six-month State-approved school residency while employed full-time under a provisional educational services certificate with a SAC endorsement. If employed half-time, the residency period shall be 12 months. The residency program shall be conducted under the direction of a State-approved residency supervisor who shall hold a standard certificate with a supervisor, principal, or school administrator endorsement. The residency program shall:
i. Operate in accordance with a residency agreement issued by the Department and entered into by the Department, the employing school, the candidate, and the State-approved residency supervisor; and
ii. Include professional experiences in chemical health curriculum planning; implementation and staff development; development and coordination of substance abuse intervention and referral services; development and coordination of prevention program services; and the development of school drug and alcohol policies and procedures.
(f) The State-approved residency supervisor shall have primary responsibility to assure the candidate receives appropriate training, support, practicum experiences, and professional opportunities in the critical job responsibilities specified in the agreement and consistent with (a) above. The residency supervisor shall also evaluate and verify the completion of all required experiences according to the terms and conditions of the residency agreement.
(g) Upon completion of the residency period, the residency supervisor shall complete a comprehensive evaluation report on the candidate's performance based on the candidate's ability to complete the job duties pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:40A-18.c and to implement the theoretical concepts at (c)2 above. The residency supervisor shall discuss the evaluation report with the candidate, and the supervisor and candidate shall sign the report as evidence of the discussion. The residency supervisor shall submit the completed evaluation to the Office. The evaluation on each candidate shall include one of the following recommendations:
1. Approved: Recommends issuance of a standard educational services certificate with a SAC endorsement;
2. Insufficient: Recommends a standard educational services certificate with a SAC endorsement not be issued, but the candidate be allowed to continue the residency or seek admission to an additional residency. Except for candidates who receive approval pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.13(d), a candidate who receives a second insufficient recommendation shall be precluded from continuing or re-entering a residency; or
3. Disapproved: Recommends a standard educational services certificate with a SAC endorsement not be issued. The candidate shall be precluded from continuing or re-entering a residency.
(h) If the candidate disagrees with the residency supervisor's recommendation, the candidate may appeal the recommendation pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.12.
(i) An emergency certificate is not available for the SAC endorsement.
