Your Special Services PSESD Team

Supporting Leaders and Educators with creating inclusive and equitable systems and cultures of belonging to best serve students with disabilities

DAVID MCNAIR, PROGRAM COORDINATOR • DMCNAIR@PSESD.ORG OR SPECIALSERVICES@PSESD.ORG • 425-917-7627

For general Inquiries, Workshops, PDEnroller, ESA Initial Certification Course please contact David

Amy Okeze, Program Director • aokeze@psesd.org • 425-917-7804

Erin Stewart, Program Director • estewart@psesd.org • 425-917-7826

COURTNEY O'CATHERINE, PROGRAM DIRECTOR • COCATHERINE@PSESD.ORG • 425-917-7823

APURVA IYENGAR WIKSTROM, PROGRAM MANAGER • AWIKSTROM@PSESD.ORG • 425-917-7727

Special Services 2023-2024 Network Meetings

Creating strong communities of professionals who support and assist one another to improve services for students with disabilities is a critical service provided by our program.

For the 2023-2024 School Year we will be holding a combination of in-person and virtual meetings. Materials and resources will continue to be housed on our Canvas Platform ( Clock hours are available).

SPECIAL EDUCATION LEADERS' NETWORK

VIRTUAL & *IN-PERSON (9:30AM-11:30AM)

*SEPT. 21, 2023 OCT. 19, 2023 NOV. 16, 2023 JAN. 18, 2024

FEB. 15, 2024 MARCH 21, 2024 APRIL 18, 2024 *MAY 16, 2024

EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION COORDINATORS' NETWORK

VIRTUAL (12:30PM-2:00PM) & *IN-PERSON (12:30PM-2:30PM)

*OCT. 26, 2023 JAN. 25, 2024 MARCH 28, 2024 *MAY 30, 2024

TRANSITION NETWORK

VIRTUAL (9AM-11:30AM)

OCT. 11, 2023 JAN. 10, 2024 MARCH 13, 2024 MAY 8, 2024

DISPROPORTIONALITY NETWORK

VIRTUAL (12:30PM-2:00PM)

OCT. 4, 2023 DEC. 19, 2023 FEB. 7, 2024 APRIL 3, 2024

EDUCATIONAL STAFF ASSOCIATES (ESA) COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE

VIRTUAL (3:00PM-4:00PM)

DEC. 5, 2023 FEB. 6, 2024 APRIL 2, 2024 JUNE 4, 2024

EARLY CHILDHOOD COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE

PRACTITIONERS - VIRTUAL (3:30PM-4:30PM)

OCT. 17, 2023 DEC. 5, 2023 FEB. 20, 2024 APRIL 16, 2024

LEADERS - VIRTUAL (10:00AM-11:00AM)

OCT. 24, 2023 DEC. 12, 2023 FEB. 27, 2024 APRIL 23, 2024

For general inquiries and registration please contact David McNair, Program Coordinator

Workshops

2022-2023 Special Services Workshops & Professional Development Opportunities

Special Services offers a continuously changing variety of professional development opportunities to meet the current needs of educators and administrators of students with disabilities. Clock hours are available online at the conclusion of each workshop for an additional fee.

For a full list and description of upcoming workshops and events, please visit https://www.pdenroller.org/psesd/catalog”.

Register on PdEnroller.org Claim & Purchase Clock Hours

ESA Certification

Professional Transition to the Public Schools:

ESA Certification Course

The Initial ESA Certification Course is intended for those who already have a certification in either nursing, social work, audiology, speech language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, orientation & mobility or behavior analysis and want to take their profession into the public school setting. This is NOT the correct ESA track to becoming a School Counselor or School Psychologist.

Puget Sound ESD provides four 15-hour ESA Certification courses each year that meet Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction's (OSPI) requirements to become ESA certified in WA State. Attending in person allows you the opportunity to network with like-minded professionals and gain hands-on experience and knowledge from leaders in the field. However, we will be offering this training virtually through Zoom during the COVID19 pandemic. Participants should plan to participate and be fully engaged, as if they were in person, during the entire 15 hour online training.

NorthEast Washington ESD 101 out of Spokane also offers an online version of this training, generally fall, winter and summer, you will need to contact Maggie Cox at mcox@esd101.net for additional information and registration instructions.

PLEASE NOTE:
All certification questions should be addressed to OSPI, as we ONLY provide the course necessary to meet the requirements. Once you have completed the course you must submit a copy of your Certificate of Completion to OSPI to obtain your certificate. At OSPI's discretion, they can grant a temporary ESA certification with proof of enrollment in a certification course.

Please check OSPI’s website for the ESA application process and additional ESA certification requirements.

Upcoming Courses:

Fall 2023: Oct. 6, 13 & 20, 2022

• Registration opens on PDEnroller July 8th, 2023 & closes Sept. 22 , 2023 • Register HERE

Winter 2024: Jan. 12, 19 & 26, 2024

• Registration opens on PDEnroller Nov. 13th, 2023 & closes Dec .29 , 2023 • Register HERE

Spring 2024: May 10, 17 & 24, 2024

• Registration opens on PDEnroller Mar. 15th, 2024 & closes May 10th, 2024 • Register HERE

AT Lending Library

Assistive Technology Lending Library

PSESD is committed to supporting student's access to their educational environments and instruction. Assistive technology is defined as any item or equipment that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a child with a disability. The Special Services AT Lending Library makes assistive technology equipment and tools available for checkout to school district and educational agency personnel in our region for a trial period.

Ranging from simple time-keepers to iPads complete with AAC technology, these devices may be borrowed and used directly with students to support them in classroom and other educational settings.

How it Works

-After completing an initial opt-in form, equipment may be requested from the online library. Please email ssatlibrary@psesd.org to request the opt-in form.

-Equipment is made available for pick at the PSESD and is returned at the conclusion of the trial period.

In This Section

Special Services

Special Services Team