Office of Pupil Services and Special Education
The Office of Pupil Personnel Services provides and supports a variety of school based prevention, intervention and educationally based services to support all students in becoming effective learners and productive members of society. Pupil Personnel Services includes Special Education Teachers, Para Professionals, Psychologists, Social Workers, Speech/Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, BCBA’s, Nurses, School Counselors, and contracted educational consultants and/or service providers.
Pupil Personnel Services Mission
The Mission of the Office of Pupil Personnel Services is to work in partnership with students, parents/guardians, community members/agencies, healthcare providers, and educator colleagues to develop and implement a comprehensive integrated educational program of instructional and social/emotional services. This on-going collaboration will support the academic achievement, social/emotional, physical health, and well-being of all students in a safe and respectful school environment. The Office of Pupil Personnel Services also strives to ensure that students with IEP’s receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE) in order to prepare them for post secondary education or training, employment, independent living, and community participation.
Director of Pupil Personnel Services
Michael McDermott
203-407-2223
Fax: 203-407-2101
Pupil Services Administrative Team:
Judy Antignani- Birth to Three, Pre-K, Alice Peck Program
203-407-2010
Asia Thompson, Coordinator of Elementary Special Education
203-407-2229
Julie Dougherty, Coordinator of Secondary Special Education
(475) 221-5057
Amy Shaver, Coordinator for Special Education
203-407-3405
Nicholas DeCesare, Outplacement PPS Specialist
203-407-6480
Nicole Merrill, Outplacement PPS Specialist
203-407-2222
Kimberly Oliver, Magnet School PPS Specialist
203-407-2220
Candace Burke, PPS Data Manager 203-407-2221
Seth Lyall, PPS Specialist & Magnet/Charter School Coordinator
203-407-2165
203-407-2225 Please email all Special Education requests to mkleffke@hamden.org
Beth Uscilla, Special Education Transportation Clerk
203-407-2224
Special Education Resources:
- Procedural Safeguards Notice IDEA Part B (English) https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SDE/Special-Education/Prosaf.pdf
- Manual de Garantias Procesales parte B IDEA (Espanol) https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SDE/Special-Education/Prosaf_Spanish.pdf
- Parental Notification of the Laws relating to the use of Seclusion and Restraint https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SDE/Special-Education/2018_parental_notification_of_the_laws_relating_to_seclusion_and_restraint_in_the_public_schools.pdf
- Notificación para los padres sobre las leyes relacionadas con el uso del aislamiento y la restricción en las escuelas públicas https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SDE/Special-Education/las_leyes_relacionadas_con_el_uso_del_aislamiento_y_la_restriccin_en_las_escuelas_pblicas.pdf
- A Parent's Guide to Special Education in Connecticut (English) https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SDE/Special-Education/Parents_Guide_SE.pdf
- Guia para padres sobre educacion especial en Connecticut (Espanol)
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SDE/Special-Education/parents_guide_SE_span.pdf
- Pre School Special Education Brochure https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SDE/Special-Education/Early/PreschoolSpecEdBroEng.pdf
- Folleto de educacion especial preescolar (Espanol) https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SDE/Special-Education/Early/PreschoolSpecEdBroSpan.pdf
- Transition Bill of Rights (English) https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SDE/Special-Education/Trans_Bill_of_Rights_for_Parents_of_Students_Receiving_SpEd_Services.pdf
- Declaracion de Derechos de Transicion (Espanol) https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SDE/Special-Education/Spanish_Trans_Bill_of_Rights_for_Parents_of_Students_Receiving__SpEd_Services.pdf