Communication & Stakeholder Relations Flashcards

A parent calls the SAC in an agitated state demanding to know why their child was referred for substance abuse counseling. What is the BEST initial response?

Answer: Acknowledge the parent's feelings and invite them to meet in person

Acknowledging the parent's emotions first de-escalates the situation and opens the door for a productive, private conversation.

When collaborating with a school nurse about a student's suspected substance use, the SAC should primarily use which communication approach?

Answer: Limit sharing to need-to-know information with appropriate consent

Interdisciplinary communication must be guided by the principle of sharing only what is necessary and authorized to protect student confidentiality.

A teacher tells the SAC that a student 'seems high in class' but expresses reluctance to get involved further. What is the most appropriate SAC response?

Answer: Thank the teacher, clarify their reporting role, and explain next steps the SAC will take

Thanking the teacher reinforces the referral relationship and clarifying roles ensures the SAC can act appropriately on the concern.

Which factor is MOST important when tailoring communication with a student from a cultural background that views seeking help as shameful?

Answer: Normalizing help-seeking and framing support as a sign of strength within a culturally sensitive context

Culturally sensitive reframing of help-seeking reduces stigma and increases student willingness to engage with the counseling process.

An SAC presents substance abuse prevention data to the school board. Which format is MOST effective for a non-clinical audience?

Answer: Visual summaries with plain-language takeaways and local context

Non-specialist stakeholders engage best with visually clear data presented in accessible language tied to their community context.

A student discloses to the SAC that they are afraid their parents will 'kick them out' if they find out about their marijuana use. How should the SAC address this in the communication plan?

Answer: Discuss with the student what information may need to be shared and explore ways to involve parents safely

Transparent discussion about what may be disclosed empowers the student and supports a thoughtful, harm-reducing approach to parental communication.

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.