home  
 
ESD 114

The ESD 114 Special Services Department is proud to announce the start of a new Related Services Cooperative for the 2011-2012 school year. The cooperative offers speech, psychology and occupational therapy services to the districts supported by Olympic ESD 114. Currently North Mason, Cape Flattery, Quilcene, and Queets Clearwater School Districts are participating in the cooperative and contracting for a total of 240 days of service.

The creation of the cooperative initially came as a response to the difficulty many districts expressed in finding and maintaining related service providers, particularly on a part-time basis in schools that are geographically isolated.

As the cooperative prepares for its inaugural year, the intent and purpose has changed and expanded to include professional development opportunities as well as specialized support for the participating districts.

The Special Services department is excited to have the opportunity to better support the districts and deliver high quality, equitable, accurate and innovative services to the students with the highest needs in our region. They look forward to growing the cooperative to offer a broader range of services in more districts and at competitive prices. Future expansion opportunities include a teacher of the visually impaired, an orientation and mobility services specialist, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, and an additional school psychologist and speech-language pathologist.

The enactment of the cooperative has been a result of several districts working together and helping to identify a need and a dedicated effort by the Olympic ESD to support them. Summed up best by Jennifer Acuna, Special Services Director, “We would like to sincerely thank the superintendents, special services directors and districts who have placed their confidence in us to perform this daunting task. We are thrilled with the prospect of the challenges that lie ahead and look forward to developing a deeper and more meaningful relationship with each of you as we enter this year together.”

~Heather Tonder, OESD 114
Certification/Instructional Services