MSAT

Masonic Student Assistance Training Program (MSAT)

The Masonic Student Assistance Training Program (MSAT) is an intensive three-day training workshop for educators. Over the course of the workshop the team learns how to identify, intervene with, and create appropriate referrals for students that may be at risk for substance abuse, depression, suicide or violence. Newman/Stecher International conducts the training, and they are the sole providers of Masonic Student Assistance training.

This workshop trains a Core Team of five to eight educators from a school in how to intervene early and effectively with students that display patterns of behaviors that threaten their success at school. The training involves practice sessions designed to simulate real events along with presentations on such subjects as Chemical Dependency, Depression and Suicide, Conflict, Anger and Violence, Communication Skills and Intervention, Family Dynamics, Enabling, Life Skills Development, Treatment and Aftercare, and Group Process. The participants come to the training because they are good educators who want to help children. They leave the training with a specific plan for behavioral interventions, and a system for implementing a Student Assistance Program in their schools.

The sessions are all held in Utica, Tuesday through Thursday, on the campus of the Masonic Home, in the Administration Building. This modern facility has been a great spot to hold all day workshops. The meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) are catered and served at the same location. The meals have received rave reviews from past participants. By the way, if any participant has a food allergy, the dietician will contact them directly and together they will work out a satisfactory diet.

The participants stay at the Holiday Inn in New Hartford. Some people come in on Monday evening, and we have them stay at the Holiday Inn on us. We pay for all registration, materials, meals and rooms, except for the Monday evening meal. We also reimburse each driver $0.20 per mile round trip. Complementary snacks in the morning and afternoon are also provided. We want the participants to be able to relax, and spend the three days concentrating on how to best assist students in their school.

This is an effective program that gets kids the help they need when they need it, and the cost to the district is only for substitutes for those educators who require a substitute.

Oct 25-27, 2005

Dec. 6-8, 2005

Jan 31,Feb 1-2, 2006

April 4-6 , 2006

All costs for training materials, lodging, meals and mileage are provided by NY Masons. There are four training sessions scheduled 2005-2006 for

Information in this site:

MSAT General Information

Summary of Research

What Prior Participants Have to Say

Downloadable Registration Form

A High School Principal's Reaction to MSAT

Pertinent Information on other Websites