Your Special Services PSESD Team

| Special Education | SPED | Student Support Services | Learning Support Services |

(from left to right: Amy Okeze, Erin Stewart, Andrew Mitchell, Keely Hogan, Laura Matson, Abby Smith)

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

• For questions regarding Behavior Network and Trauma Informed Practices, please contact Amy

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

• For questions regarding OSSI, BEST Mentor and Disproportionality Network, please contact Erin

aNDREW MITCHELL, Program Manager • aMITCHELL@psesd.org • 425-917-7707

•  For questions regarding Charter School support, Assistive Technology Lending Library and para-educator training, please contact Andrew

Keely Hogan, Program coordinator • khogan@psesd.org• 425-917-7627

• For questions regarding  workshop registration, event flyers, pdenroller, clock hours, facilities and schedules, please contact Keely

Laura Matson, Program Director • lmatson@psesd.org• 425-917-7823

• For questions regarding Special Education Leaders' Network and Section 504, please contact Laura

Abby Smith, Program Manager • asmith@psesd.org • 425-917-7712

•  For questions regarding ESSA, Post Secondary Transition Planning and Transition Network, please contact Abby

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

• For questions regarding Special Education Early Childhood and Early Childhood Network,  please contact Courtney

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

2020-2021 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.  Special Services Workshops will be held virtually via Zoom until we have been cleared to return to our in-person Renton location. Clock hours are available online at the conclusion of each workshop for an additional fee.

Questions about upcoming PD's? Contact Keely at KHogan@psesd.org

Register on PdEnroller.org                 Claim & Purchase Clock Hours

 

 

Special Services 2021-2022 Network Meetings 

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

For the 2021-2022 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. Please email KHogan@psesd.org for questions. Clock hours are available.

View the PDF version of the Network and PLC Schedule HERE

 

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.

Visit the online library at psesdatlibrary.myturn.com

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. 

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 Nora at nvralsted-thomas@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 2021: October 22,  29 & November 5; 8am-1pm (must attend all three days) virtual via Zoom

register HERE

WINTER 2022: March 4, 11 & 18; 8am-1pm

Spring 2022: June 3, 10 & 17; 8am-1pm

 

If you have additional questions regarding registration for the ESA Course, please contact Keely at KHogan@PSESD.org

Special Services Resources

OSPI Resources

• OSPI Special Education Home Page
• OSPI Early Childhood
• OSPI Resource Library
• OSPI Section 504 Resources
• OSPI Dyslexia Information
• OSPI Certifications
• OSPI Parent Liaison
• OSPI Inclusionary Practices

External Partners

• The Arc of King County
• WA Governor's Office of the Education Obudsman
• Department of Vocational Rehabilitation 
• Developmental Disabilities Administration
• Open Doors for Multicultural Families
• Partnerships for Action, Voices for Empowerment
• Center for Change in Transition Services, Seattle University
• Washington Sensory Disabilities Services
• Professional Educators Standards Board 
• Early Supports for Infants and Children