About Special Education and Related Services

The Special Education and Related Services department at the NWESD provides focused leadership and supplemental supports for diverse learner populations, special projects, early learning programs, school nursing services, and special education administrative services.

The NWESD Behavior Coaching & Consultation is conducted by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), who will work closely with staff to determine the specific needs of the district. This can include coaching in the functional analysis of behavior, data collection methods to analyze behavioral needs, and the development and implementation of interventions and supports for students. Students may have a 504 Plan, be engaged in the Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) process or may have an Individual Education Plan (IEP). NWESD staff may assist with the entire process of conducting a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBAs) and Behavior Intervention Plan (BIPs), and/or coaching classroom teachers in the implementation of the BIP.

The NWESD 189 Early Childhood professionals work alongside OSPI, Migrant, and other Early Learning Specialists to support districts with identified needs in SISP, TK, LEAP, PIC ages three to five. They also coach and support staff in creating blended pre-schools and professional development. The NWESD is happy to provide school district support, inclusionary practices support, technical assistance and training updates to providers, community preschools, teachers, therapists and families.

The NWESD offers migrant nursing services to partner districts in Whatcom and Skagit counties, funded by OSPI. These services assist students and families with school and healthcare needs. Currently the program has two migrant nurses, both fluent in Spanish.

The ParaPro Assessment measures the skills and knowledge in reading, writing, and math possessed by prospective and practicing paraprofessionals. It also measures their ability to apply those skills and knowledge when assisting in classroom instruction.

The NWESD partnered with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) to provide pre-Employment Transition Services (pre-ETS ) for school districts in our region. The team serves youth ages 14-22 who have IEP, 504 plans or documented disability to motivate and prepare youth to enter the workforce by providing work readiness training, job site tours, and paid internships.

Safety-Care training is for staff working with children and adolescents who may exhibit challenging or dangerous behavior. Safety-Care focuses on prevention, safety, and humane, supportive, evidence-based interventions. Professionals from a variety of disciplines, working with direct care staff, participate and collaborate in the assessment, treatment and evaluation of an individual’s overall status and intervention plan.

School Nurse Corps has four areas of focus: Dissemination of Health information; Mentoring and Orientation for School Nurses including courses and SNC-funded trainings; Consultation and Resources for Nurses and Staff including our lending library; and Professional Development in such areas as CPR, Naloxone/Narcan, and Stop the Bleed.

The School Nurse Corps has over 30 books related to school nursing. District nurses and staff may borrow books, spot vision screeners, audiometers, OAE, medication trainers, and more.

The School Nurse Corps Administrator develops and delivers a broad spectrum of learning opportunities for all regional school nurses. This includes partnering with local health professionals to gain their expertise in areas such as diabetes, health equity, drug impairment and assessment, mental health, emergency preparedness, training in CPR and stopping life-threatening bleeding.

ESD Special Education Directors, in collaboration with the OSPI, support Washington’s Special Education State Performance Plan (SPP), Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan, and state special education priorities within school districts in each region. The NWESD Special Programs and Services Director conducts verifications of correction of non-compliance to districts within the region. This activity is based on OSPI’s official tification of ncompliance to districts. The NWESD Special Programs and Services Director supports districts through quarterly regional meetings, supporting Corrective Action Plans (CAPs), and meeting other regional needs.

A special education review is an analysis of the total special education programming in a school district that ends with a full report. The steps that lead to the report may include focus groups with various stakeholders, school and classroom observations, a full document review, analysis of systems, and a comparison to other districts of similar size. The final report will result in recommendations and commendations for the district to use as a roadmap for programmatic improvement.

The Special Programs and Services Department offer a continuously changing variety of professional development opportunities to meet the current needs of educators and administrators of students with disabilities available in PdEnroller. Topics include the development of Individualized Education Programs (IEP), Writing Standards-Based IEP goals, the Development of Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP), and more.

Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVI) and Orientation and Mobility (O&M) are able to independently provide specially designed instruction (SDI) and to fulfill the duties of a special educator as outlined in the students Individualized Education Program (IEP). Districts can contract with the NWESD to support their needs within their district for these services, which include evaluations, progress monitoring, and attending meetings.

Upcoming Professional Learning & Events

Special Education Programs

Special Education Administrative Resources

School Nurse Corps

Pre-Employment Transition Services

Regional Cooperative Programs

Paraeducator Assessment Test

Paraeducator Assessment

Contact Us

Dr. Michelle Roper, BCBA-D
Director

Kristi Gunerius
Administrative Assistant III

Amberley Gregg, M.Ed., IMH-E
Teacher for the Visually Diverse

Letha Nungesser
Teacher for the Visually Diverse

Sarah Barquero, MSN, BSN, NCSN
School Nurse Corps Administrator

Brian McClay
Program Specialist III
Transition Services

Peter Schlegel
Program Specialist II
Transition Services

Elizabeth Frederick
Administrative Assistant II
Transition Services
School Nurse Corp

Our Services

Parent Resources

Resources for Students with Special Needs

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District Resources

District Resources for Students with Special Needs

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Job Openings

Join our team!

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FAQs

Frequently asked Special Education questions

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