Washington Association of Educational Service Districts (AESD) Behavioral Health Student Assistance Program (BH-SAP)
The Washington State Behavioral Health Student Assistance Program (BH-SAP) is a research-based, statewide model that places trained Student Assistance Professionals (SAPs) in schools to deliver prevention, early intervention, and referral support within Washington’s Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework. Funded through a strategic legislative investment, WA BH-SAP increases early identification of behavioral health needs, expands the workforce pipeline, and strengthens school–community partnerships, providing support to thousands of students each year. Backed by strong statewide coordination and rigorous evaluation, BH-SAP reduces barriers to care and aligns with state priorities for youth mental health. Moreover, multiple years of data collection show the program measurably improves schools’ capacity to respond to student needs, reaches far more students than traditional school behavioral health models, and demonstrably improves student well-being.
2024-25 report and executive summary