SSP v2.X Tool Descriptions

The SSP-Platform combines the uPortal framework with the SSP portlets and tools that are described below.

Term	Definition
SSP Portlet
Caseload Assignment	Caseload Assignment is the tool used to add students to SSP, assign coaches and add additional coaching information. For each student, the coach may enter attributes such as reasons for service, referral sources and special service groups. Each of the attributes are used to track and report student progress within SSP. As services are provided to students, a program status is assigned to identify how the student's participation as active, inactive, non-participating, no show and transitioned.
Main (formerly Profile)	The Main Tool displays academic information about the student normally stored in the student information system (SIS). The demographic information maintained in the SIS is vital to coaching a student. The information includes full demographics, academic information and attributes added in Caseload Assignment.
Intake (formerly Student Intake)	Student Intake Tool is the Intake Form used to collect information from students as services are provided. Information may include additional demographics, education background and goals as well as challenges to achieving the goals.
Action Plan	Action Plan Tool is similar in function to a "To Do List" used by all coaches to assign Action Items to students, typically originating from the Counseling Reference Guide. The assigned tasks, goals and strengths form the Action Plan. The plan can be printed and provided to students in PDF format.
Journal	The Journal tool allows authorized user to save journal entries, also known as comments or notes, about interaction with a student. Journal entries can be created as free-form text or with pre-defined details that correspond to steps assigned to journal tracks.
Early Alert (Response)	As Early Alerts are submitted by faculty, the coaches view and interact with students to resolve the issue. Responses to the alerts are saved with the outcomes and referrals to support offices and resources. Configurable email messages are sent to student, coaches and faculty at appropriate times during the submission, response and closure of alerts.
Accommodations	Services provided to student with disabilities can be tracked within SSP. The academic and coaching accommodations necessary to support students and the agencies involved can be tracked through SSP. All services and information can be tracked privately using confidentiality levels allowing access to only authorized users.
MAP	My Academic Plan (MAP) provides a method to record student plans and institution templates related to pathways to degree completion.
Counseling Reference Guide	Counseling Reference Guide is used to assist in the completion of the Action Plans, and is typically considered a counseling knowledge base of predefined issues and possible solutions for student challenges. In this version, the Counseling Reference Guide items are only used in the Student Intake to identify the primary challenges.
Documents	The Documents tool is used to store files for students in SSP. The files should provide additional information, background, form data, etc for students managed in SSP. The allowable type and size of files are configurable.
Notes	This tool allows for a central location of advising/coaching notes to assist with advising/coaching activities. SSP can display notes, comments, etc from other systems that are loaded into SSP. The notes, comments, etc are loaded into the external database for display purposes only. New notes and comments are created using the Journal tool.
External View (1-4)	This is an optional tool that can be configured to add configurable links to the tool menu. The tool can link within the tool display or externally and include parameters to link directly to a student ID or username. By default, only admins and developer roles have access, but the tools can be assigned to roles by adding any one of the four permissions for external view.
Early Alert Portlet
Early Alert (Submission)	Early Alert is the process and tool for faculty to notify coaches about a potential issue with a student. Faculty members submit the Early Alerts through the portlet and identify the issue and suggestions for the coach. Faculty members are notified via email as the alerts are closed.
Reports Portlet
Report Guide	Standard reports are available to explore students receiving services via SSP. The reports include information about student attributes and information within the various tools about individual and groups of students.
MyGPS
Self Help Guide	The challenges and referrals defined in the Counseling Reference Guide can be organized into a public Self Help Guide available for unauthenticated users and authenticated student users to browse common challenges and referrals. Referrals may be selected by student users to create tasks for completion.
Student Self Help	MyGPS provides a student interface to utilize tools within SSP. Student can manage tasks on the current Action Plan and identify new tasks from the Self Help Guide. All tasks are displayed for the student whether created by the coach or student. If requested by the coach, students may also complete the Intake form prior to an appointment. The information is saved within SSP for the coach to view and update.
MAP Plan	The active plan for each student is available within MyGPS. The format is based on the standard MAP/plan format.
uPortal User Security Portlet
Manage Users	The Manage Users portlet allows an administrator or manager to assign SSP roles and confidentiality levels to users created in the SSP-Platform. Depending on the authentication and authorization integration method, the level of control in the tool will vary from usernames, password, role and confidentiality levels.