Your Special Services PSESD Team

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

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

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 • 425-917-7727

• For questions regarding the Special Services Assistive Technology Lending Library, please contact Apurva

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. 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.

Register on PdEnroller.org Claim & Purchase Clock Hours

Network Meetings

Special Services 2022-2023 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 2022-2023 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).

2022-2023 Network Meeting Schedule PDF

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.

Visit the online library at psesdatlibrary.myturn.com

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 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 2022: Oct. 21, 28 & Nov. 4, 2022

• Registration opens on PDEnroller July 8th & closes Oct. 10 , 2022 • Register HERE

Winter 2023: Jan. 27, Feb. 3 & Feb. 10, 2023

• Registration opens on PDEnroller Nov. 7th, 2022 & closes Jan. 13 , 2023 • Register HERE

Spring 2023: June 2, 9 & 16, 2023

• Registration opens on PDEnroller Feb. 20th & closes May 19th, 2023 • Register HERE

Resources

Special Services Resources

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Special Services Team