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Masonic Student Assistance Program
Mapping the right road to help kids at risk
In these times it's easy for kids to get lost.
When a child is in pain, it's easy to turn to drugs, alcohol, depression, or
gangs as a way to ease the pain. And when that happens, everyone loses---kids,
families, schools, and the community.
Because Masons care about kids, they offer a free workshop for Ohio educators, administrators, and support staff in schools from kindergarten through high school. Called (MSAP,) Masonic Student Assistance Program, this three-day workshop teaches participants how to identify kids at risk and help them on the road to a successful life.
Who Should participate in MSAP
A core team from each participating school, often consisting of a regular or special education teacher, an administrator, the school nurse, and other staff members, attend the seminar. Expenses such as the seminar, all material, food and lodging are provided free of charge by the Ohio Masons. There is no cost to participating schools, except to provide substitute coverage where necessary.
How does MSAP work?
MSAP teaches each core team how to work with other personnel at their school to identify kids at risk, gather the necessary information about the child, and then develop a school-based plan appropriate to the specific needs of each child. MSAP provides specific strategies for identification and intervention in the areas of academics, health, behavior, and attendance. Teams also learn about locally available assistance for children who need outside help.
After completing the seminar, the core team teaches their fellow teachers and staff how to identify kids in pain and describe as specifically as possible what the behaviors and issues are. The team then gathers further information from school personnel, parents, and the child before preparing a plan that will help the child find a road to success at school. Meeting on a regular basis, the core team gathers the necessary data and creates a plan that might include assigning a mentor or tutor, weekly visits to the school nurse or counselor, or other strategies specific to each child's needs.
What is taught in the seminar ?
The seminar emphasizes experiential training, hands-on solutions that can be used every day in the classroom. After each concept is presented, participants role play, take part in activities, and work together to create a deeper understanding. At the end of the course each core team uses the MSAP process to help a troubled child at their school who is known to the team. They gather the data, do the necessary paperwork, and develop a school-based action plan for that child.
Very often educators already know how to identify children in pain, but they are not sure where to start or what to do about it. The MSAP training emphasizes that intervention is a process not an event as well as the need to make a start---it took years for the child's pain to develop, and it may take a few years before a sense of success in some area of school life can be achieved.
Topics covered in the workshop include
Family dynamics
Life Skills for K-12
Enabling and codependency
Alcohol and drug abuse
Depression
Suicide
Team work
Group dynamics
What do participants get form the training ?
In addition to learning a structured, objective way to help troubled kids with life skills, MSAP participants learn about team work, what their individual strengths are, and effective ways to help kids grow.
Who originated MSAP ?
The MSAP seminar was developed in 1984 by Larry Newman and Thom Stecher. Together, they have over 40 years of teaching, program administration, and therapeutic experience and consult regularly for school districts and Education, Health and welfare departments.
How do I sign up ?
For information or an enrollment packet, call:
(614) 885-5318 or 1-800-292-6092 or write to :
The Grand Lodge of Ohio
P.O. Box 629
Worthington, Ohio 43085
Listen to what the MSAP graduates are saying
South Western City Schools, Grove City, Ohio
"Thank you on behalf of all the staff at grove City High School for providing the training in the Masonic Model for our newly established Student Assistance Team, Your commitment to our youth is an expensive one, but worthwhile"
Robert Adams
Sheffield-Sheffield Lake City Schools, Sheffield, Ohio
"On behalf of the Sheffield-Sheffield Lake City Schools, I would like to thank you and the Ohio Masons, for your support and sponsoring the Student Assistance Program. Our entire team from Brookside High School enjoyed our stay and truly appreciate your commitment to providing direction for today's young students. Also please thank your staff and residents, for being such wonderful hosts."
Sheffield-Sheffield Lake City Schools, Sheffield, Ohio
Hilliard Davidson High School, Hilliard, Ohio
"On behalf of the Hilliard High School Core Team, I would like to thank you and your fellow Masons for your incredible commitment to assisting educators in our mission to help at-risk youth. It is quite rare to be invited at no cost for exceptional training. We pledge to you in return our commitment to our local youth."
Ottawa-Glandorf High School, Ottawa, Ohio
"We are writing to express our thanks for the opportunity to attend the 'Masonic Model' in Springfield, Ohio. We feel that this was an outstanding seminar. This seminar was helpful as it provided ways to deal with a variety of current issues."
William Hanna, Principal
Akron Public Schools, Akron, Ohio
"On behalf of the students, parents and staff, we wish to thank you for the opportunity of attending the Student Assistance Program training. The training provided out team with additional information and valuable insight in working with at-risk students. Thank you again for taking such an active part in helping us work with students and families and making a difference in their lives."
Terry Corbin, Principal, Barrett Academy
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