Special Services Professional Development Academy 2019-2020

Mission Statement

The purpose of the Special Services Academy is to create an opportunity for dialogue and an exchange of ideas and experiences for Directors of Special Services, Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultants, School Psychologists, School Social Workers, and Speech Language Specialists. Through collaboration with university administrators and faculty, the academy will provide professional learning communities that offer growth opportunities for members through sessions which focus on promoting reflective practice and positively impacting student and teacher learning. A network of support and resources for members will be established for developing new experiences.

Workshop Information

The Academy will hold 4 workshops a year with topics on timely issues directly related to matters of interest to attendees. BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) Roundtables are held from 10:30 AM – 12 PM.  Handouts and lunch are provided for both.  Special Services session times are from 12 – 2 PM

BCBA Roundtable

The BCBA Roundtable is a professional development community comprised of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) who actively provide behavior consultation, training, and assessment in New Jersey public schools.  The members of this organization seek to enhance the role of the BCBA in schools through professional collaboration on ethically sound behavior analytic practices, dissemination of peer-reviewed research for applied settings, and integration of scientifically-based interventions in classrooms.

Monmouth University is a verified Authorized Continuing Education (ACE) Provider Organization by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board; members of the BCBA Roundtable earn Type 2 continuing education credits for each professional development event.

BCBA Professional Development Academy Membership This membership includes attendance (up to 3 people) at each of the four Roundtables.  They will be held on the same dates as the sessions from 10:30 AM – 12 PM.  Handouts and lunch are provided.  BCBA membership dues are $100.

Special Services Professional Development Academy Membership This membership includes attendance (up to 3 people) at each of the four sessions.  Attendees can be changed as needed.  Handouts and lunch are provided.  Sessions run from 12 PM – 2 PM.  The yearly fee for membership in the academy is $300 or non-member per session is $125 (per person).

Online Workshop Registration Forms:

• Special Services Professional Development Academy Membership Form (available soon)
• BCBA Professional Development Academy Membership Form (available soon)

Workshops Dates

Session 1: Maximizing behavior analytic services in schools – Tuesday, September 17, 2019 (different time 8:30 AM-10:30 AM), located at Thomas A. Edison Science Hall, E201

Session 2: ADHD and Executive Functioning – Thursday, October 24, 2019

Session 3: Suicide Prevention – Thursday, February 20, 2020, Thomas A. Edison Science Hall, E201

Session 4: Improving Autism Program Quality – Thursday, April 23, 2020

All sessions to be held at Monmouth University Campus. Check for updates on this web page. Room location and dates are subject to change.

Special Services Academy Steering Committee

• Ms. Natalie Gricko, Supervisor Child Study Team, Woodbridge Township Schools District
• Dr. Mary Haspel, Assistant Professor, Special Education, Monmouth University
• Ms. Helen Ihde, Special Education Academic Supervisor, Freehold Regional High School District
• Ms. Jo-Ann Johnson, Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant, Point Pleasant Borough Schools
• Dr. Ai Kamei, Assistant Professor, Special Education, Monmouth University
• Dr. Stacy Lauderdale-Littin, Assistant Professor, Special Education, Monmouth University
• Dr. Kathryn Lubniewski, Assistant Professor, Special Education, Monmouth University
• Dr. Carol McArthur-Amedeo, Lecturer, Special Education, Monmouth University
• Ms. Diane Schrieks, Special Education

Previous Workshops

• Considerations & Strategies for Teaching Social Skills
• Criminal Justice Advocacy
• Defensible IEP’s
• Transition
• Mental Health Issues, Concerns, & Dialogue
• Tiered Systems of Support
• Evidence-based Practices for Students with Autism
• Legal Issues
• LRE Implementation
• Assessment
• Reading Approaches and Individualized Reading Programs
• Role of the Social Worker on the Child Study Team
• Dyslexia
• Special Education and Its Relation to PARCC

Additional Information

For more information regarding the Special Services Academy and the workshop series, please call 732-263-5473 or send e-mail to soessa@monmouth.edu.