Contact Us

Dr. Margaret Cage, Chief Student Support Officer
Dr. Tyre’ Jenkins, Executive Director
Dr. Lisa Gaillard-Jones, Associate Superintendent

Special Education Services
Jada Langston, Director

Student Well-Being
Shauna-Kay Jorandby, Director

School Counseling Services
Dr. Karen Crews, Director

Psychological Services
Dr. Christina Conolly-Chester, Director

Student Support and Attendance Services
Steve Neff, Director

Division of Specialized Support Services

The Mission of the Division of Specialized Support Services (DSSS) is to provide, implement, and monitor the delivery of a seamless continuum of services for students with disabilities from birth through age 21, to prepare for college, career, and community readiness. DSSS supports schools to ensure the success of every student with disabilities by supporting families through the IEP process and in their student’s education.

MCPS provides a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to all students with disabilities in need of special education and related services.

Special Education Services

MCPS Services to Support Families

In support of the core values of the MCPS strategic planning framework and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA), DSSS is committed to promoting improved academic achievement and social emotional success for all students with disabilities. Parents/guardians are valued partners with school staff members in planning the student’s services through the Individualized Education Program (IEP) decision-making process. All decisions regarding the placement of a student with a disability will be made by an IEP team in collaboration with parents/guardians consistent with the requirements of the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Family Support Center

Family Support Center staff are committed to provide information to parents and families to work as equal partners with MCPS.

MCPS Family Support Center seeks to:

Increase parental involvement in the early intervention and special education decision making process
Increase collaborative relationships through information and training
Assist families in resolving concerns and making informed decisions regarding their child's education
Provide information about disabilities and school system and community resources

MaryBeth Mantzouranis
Family Support Services Coordinator
Department of Special Education
Montgomery County Public Schools

Email: Marybeth_O_Mantzouranis@mcpsmd.org

Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee (SECAC)

SECAC is comprised of parents/guardians, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) staff members, and representatives of Montgomery County community groups that advocate for students with special needs and serve to advocate for, and advise, the Office of Special Education (OSE). SECAC is open to everyone.

Please complete this form to sign up to participate in 2025-2026 SECAC Monthly Meetings and receive emails of our upcoming events.

Meeting Format:

Each meeting has public comments from 7:00–7:15 p.m. If you are interested in giving public comment, please sign up ahead of the meeting using this form. No decision will be made on public comment items during actual SECAC meeting. Any information will be handled outside the meeting through appropriate MCPS staff members. Public comment participants will have three minutes.

Please review the MCPS SECAC Public Comment Ground Rules. No comments should be made that are derogatory or critical of specific MCPS staff members or any other individual on any level. Issues of concern brought forth in public comments should be expressed in global terms. If there is a time sensitive "personal" situation please alert SECAC CoChairs so they might help you and direct you to appropriate staff members to help resolve the issue.

Public comments are followed with updates by the directors from the Department of Special Education Services (DSES).

Need an interpreter? Please email: marybeth_o_mantzouranis@mcpsmd.org to place your request TEN days prior to the meeting.

Contact an Area Supervisor

Home School Model, Learning and Academic Disabilities, Elementary Learning Centers, Learning For Independence, School/Community-based Program

You may locate and contact your Area Supervisor on the table below by area.

Areas

Contact

eMail & Phone Number

Albert Einstein HS, DCC
Newport Mill MS: Highland, Oakland Terrace, Rock View
Sligo MS: Glen Haven, Flora Singer, Woodlin

Northwood HS, DCC
Silver Spring International MS: Forest Knolls, Highland View, Rolling Terrace, Sligo Creek ES, Thomas Edison HS of Technology

Montgomery Blair HS, DCC
Eastern MS: Montgomery Knolls, New Hampshire Estates, Oak View, Pine Crest
Takoma Park MS: East Silver Spring, Piney Branch, Takoma Park ES

Bethesda-Chevy Chase HS
Silver Creek MS: Chevy Chase, North Chevy Chase,
Rock Creek Forest, Rosemary Hills
Westland MS: Bethesda, Somerset, Westbrook

Dr. Cynthia M. Webb (Supervisor)
Ms. Susan B. Ryan (Instructional Specialist)

Dr. Cynthia M. Webb

Cynthia_M_Webb@mcpsmd.org

240-740-3900

Springbrook HS, NEC
Key MS: Burnt Mills, Cannon Road, Cresthaven, Drew, Nix
White Oak MS: Jackson Road, Leleck, Westover

Poolesville HS
Poole MS: Monocacy, Poolesville ES

Longview School
Mr. William McGrath, Supervisor

Gaithersburg HS
Forest Oak MS: Goshen, Rosemont, Summit Hall, Washington Grove Gaithersburg MS:
Gaithersburg ES, Laytonsville, Strawberry Knoll, Harriett Tubman

Northwest HS
Kingsview MS: Great Seneca Creek, McNair, Matsunaga, Darnestown, Diamond
Clemente MS: Clopper Mill, Germantown

Mrs. Lora S. Johnson (Supervisor)

Dr. Sherry A. Adelekan (Instructional Specialist)

Mrs. Lora S. Johnson

Lora_S_Johnson@mcpsmd.org

240-740-3900

Wheaton HS, DCC
Loiederman MS/Parkland MS: Brookhaven, Harmony Hills, Shriver, Viers Mill, Weller Road, Wheaton Woods

Thomas S. Wootton HS
Cold Spring, Stone Mill
Frost MS: Dufief, Fallsmead, Lakewood, Travilah

Winston Churchill HS
Cabin John MS: Bells Mill, Seven Locks
Hoover MS: Beverly Farms, Potomac, Wayside

Richard Montgomery HS
Julius West MS: Beall, College Gardens, Ritchie Park, Twinbrook, Bayard Rustin

Montgomery Virtual Academy

Sarah Kio, Supervisor

Mrs. Sarah Kio (Supervisor)
Mrs. Julie Torrence (Instructional Specialist)

Mrs. Sarah Kio

Sarah_E_Kio@mcpsmd.org

240-740-3900

Clarksburg HS
Daly, Fox Chapel, Rocky Hill MS: Clarksburg ES, Gibbs, Little Bennett
Hallie Wells: Cedar Grove, Wims

Sherwood HS
Rosa Parks: Belmont, Greenwood, Olney
Farquhar MS: Brooke Grove, Sherwood ES

Watkins Mill HS
Montgomery Village MS: Neelsville MS, Stedwick, Watkins Mill ES, Whetstone, South Lake

Damascus HS
Baker MS: Clearspring, Damascus ES, Rockwell, Woodfield

Regional Institute for Children
and Adolescents (RICA)
Dr. Sandi B. Ives, Supervisor

Ms. Charlene Parilla (Supervisor)
Ms. Rachael Gordon (Instructional Specialist)

Ms. Charlene M. Parilla

Charlene_M_Parilla@mcpsmd.org

240-740-3900

Seneca Valley HS
McAuliffe, Sally Ride
M L King: Lake Seneca, Waters Landing, Cabin Branch ES

Rockville HS
Wood MS: Barnsley, Flower Valley, Maryvale, Meadow Hall, Rock Creek Valley

Rock Terrace School
Ms. Anne Marie Tagliaferri, Supervisor

James H. Blake HS, NEC
Cloverly, Stonegate

Paint Branch HS, NEC
Banneker MS: Burtonsville, Fairland, Greencastle
Briggs Chaney: Galway, Tyler Page

Walt Whitman HS
Pyle MS: Bannockburn, Bradley Hills, Burning Tree, Carderock Springs, Wood Acres

Stephen Knolls
Ms. Davonna T. Holmes, Supervisor

Ms. Davonna T. Holmes (Supervisor)

Ms. Gerry Edwards (Instructional Specialist)

Ms. Davonna T. Holmes

Davonna_T_Holmes@mcpsmd.org

240-740-3900

John F. Kennedy HS,DCC
Odessa Shannon MS: Arcola, Glenallan, Kemp Mill
Argyle MS: Bel Pre, Georgian Forest, Strathmore

Col. Zadok Magruder HS
Redland MS: Cashell, Resnik, Sequoyah
Shady Grove MS: Candlewood, Flower Hill, Mill Creek Towne

Quince Orchard HS
Lakelands Park MS, Brown Station, Rachel Carson
Ridgeview MS: Fields Road, Jones Lane, Thurgood Marshall

Walter Johnson HS
North Bethesda MS: Ashburton, Kensington-Parkwood, Wyngate
Tilden MS: Farmland, Garrett Park, Luxmanor

Blair G. Ewing Center (3 sites)
Mr. Damien Ingram, Principal

Carl Sandburg Learning Center
Mrs. Kris M. Ericson, Supervisor

Mrs. Jennifer Benson, (Supervisor)

Mrs. Jennifer Benson

Jennifer_R_Benson@mcpsmd.org

240-740-3900

Resolution and Compliance

The Resolution and Compliance Unit (RACU) monitors and supports the provision of procedural safeguards under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004). RACU seeks to engage parties with cooperative problem solving of disputes regarding the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or provision of a free appropriate public education (FAPE) for a student with a disability or suspected of having a disability under IDEA.

What we do

The major functions and activities of RACU are carried out through the following services:

Managing all the processes available to parents/guardians to appeal special education decisions related to their student, including administrative reviews, mediations, resolution meetings, and due process hearings. In addition, the unit manages the Montgomery County Public Schools response to all Office of Civil Rights and Maryland State Department of Education complaints.
Overseeing the facilitated Individualized Education Program (IEP) process which provides trained facilitators from the Conflict Resolution Center of Montgomery County to assist IEP team members in communicating effectively and reaching consensus in developing a student's IEP. This process is effective in situations where there is extensive information to process or where there is disagreement and the team wants to make progress without formal dispute resolution.
Safeguarding the rights of students with disabilities by providing professional development and technical support to schools regarding compliance with applicable laws and regulations related to providing educational services to students with disabilities. RACU also provides professional development regarding special education compliance issues for school administrators, central and school-based special educators, and student services staff members.
Participating on work groups designed to improve instructional practices that will decrease the over-representation of minority students identified as requiring special education services, as well as the over-representation of special education students receiving disciplinary sanctions involving removal from their educational program.
Working with families to provide technical support in understanding and accessing their procedural safeguards under the IDEA 2004 and assisting parents/guardians in resolving disputes prior to mediation or due process hearings.

Resources for Families

Compliance Manual - Montgomery County Public Schools

Conflict Resolution - Maryland State Department of Education

Special Education State Complaint Resolution Procedures

Maryland State Complaint Form - Part B

State Complaint Form - Part C

Request for Mediation and Due Process Form

Listing of Free/Low-Cost Assistance (for Special Education disputes)

Section 504 Intervention Plans

Mediation Documents:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Maryland State Department of Education Family Support

The MSDE Family Support Section of the Family Support and Dispute Resolution Branch, responds to parent inquiries, assists parents with navigating Maryland's early intervention and special education systems, and provides parents with school system resources.

MSDE contact:

Ken Hudock
Section Chief, Family Support Services
Maryland State Department of Education
Division of Early Intervention and Special Education Services
410-767-0255 or kenneth.hudock@maryland.gov

Well-Being and Student Services

Well-Being and Student Services support:

Psychological Services

School psychologists ensure that every child learns in a safe, healthy and supportive environment. They are school-based mental health professionals rained in both psychology and education. Psychological services are available to all students.

School psychologists can be contacted by calling their assigned school, or by contacting Dr. Christina N. Conolly-Chester, Director of Psychological Services at 240-740-5640.

Our Services

School psychologists are uniquely skilled in:

instructional consultation
collaboration
behavior management
social skill development
psychological assessment
identification of exceptionalities

They have the knowledge, skill, and experience to work in partnership with other school staff members and parents and apply psychological, mental health and child development approaches to enhance academic achievement and social-emotional learning.

MCPS school psychologists work in a variety of programs and setting such as Head Start programs, special and general education schools, alternative programs, and the bilingual assessment team.

Applications for school psychologist internships from School Psychology Graduate Programs for the 2023-2024 school year are being accepted.

Interested in working as a School Psychologist in MCPS? Go to MCPS Careers and scroll to the Apply – School Psychologist position.

Guide to School Psychologists

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

We can all help prevent suicide. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

Pupil Personnel and Attendance Services

Pupil personnel workers (PPWs) act as case managers for identified students, making program changes and monitoring progress. They collaborate with administrators, parents, counselors and teachers, and use knowledge of MCPS programs and community resources to determine interventions and placement for students. We recognize and value the role families play in the educational success of students and can help you with questions or concerns that may arise throughout the school year.

PPWs can be contacted by calling their assigned school, or by contacting Pupil Personnel and Attendance Services at 240-740-5620.

Student Well-being Team (SWBT)

School-based SWBT is a collaborative problem-solving team focusing on unique student needs and family outreach. Their primary role is to support students to reduce barriers to learning, conduct outreach, problem-solve, and support students who are demonstrating mental health concerns and/or not engaging in their online educational program.

The SWBT work with families and students to:

educate student and parent/guardian on importance of regular live, virtual lesson attendance and engagement, or access of recorded lessons
informally problem-solve to determine why student is not participating in live virtual lessons or their recordings
provide resources or support to address the issue
SWBT Framework

SWBT Best Practices

What We Do
PPWs provide service and assistance to students, families and schools in the following four areas:

Advocate for all students.
Consult with school staff and parents on a variety of issues.
Serve as a liaison between various departments within MCPS.
Refer staff and families to outside agencies and community service providers.

As an advocate we:

Support student rights and responsibilities.
Foster understanding and collaborative efforts among home, school, and community.
Problem solve and identify prevention and early intervention strategies for student success through a collaborative action process.
Manage cases for home schooling, change of school assignment requests and disciplinary proceedings.
Assist with case management for program placement outside the home school.
Work with parents and school staff to assess and support the needs of homeless families.

As a liaison we:

Work with school staff to help maintain a positive home-school connection through strategies such as home visits and conferences.
Provide crisis support services to school staff, students, and families.
Collaborate with schools to facilitate student intake conferences.
Interpret policies and regulations for students and families.
Assist in accessing home and hospital teaching services, as appropriate.
Conduct home instruction reviews.
Assist in the case management process for students referred to the Department of Health and Human Services and Juvenile Justice Services.

As a consultant we:

Assist with the interpretation of MCPS policies and regulations, as well as federal, state, and local laws.
Collaborate with school staff in developing interventions to address chronic attendance issues and dropout prevention.
Collaborate with families and school staff to access MCPS and community programs designed to prevent, intervene in, and treat alcohol and other drug use.
Work with school staff and families to identify, investigate and resolve residency and guardianship issues.
Assist in the special education identification and placement process.
Work with school staff to provide training on a variety of topics identified as needs.
Refer students, families, and school staff to community resources.

School Counseling Services

Professional school counselors are leaders who advocate, collaborate, and facilitate individual and system change to ensure every student has the knowledge and skills necessary for academic success and personal growth. There are certified, professional school counselors in each elementary, middle, and high school within MCPS. You can reach your child's school counselor by contacting your child's school.

Learn more about the roles of school-based counselors and get answers to frequently asked questions about:

About School Counseling Services

School Counseling Services works to promote the academic success and personal growth of every student through:

Supporting the implementation of the MCPS Comprehensive School Counseling Program.
Providing staff development, consultation, and resources that enhance the knowledge and skills of school counselors.
Collaborating with other MCPS departments, higher education, and community agencies.
Providing education and outreach to parents and other community members.

Student Health and Wellness

Working Together to Promote the Health, Safety, and Well-being of Students

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, School Health Services (SHS), in partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), provide services to assure the health, safety, and well-being of over 162,000 students enrolled in MCPS schools. The SHS School Community Health Nurses (registered nurses) and School Health Room Technicians (certified nursing assistants who work under the clinical oversight of a School Community Health Nurse), provide essential school health services to students during school hours.

Immunization Requirements

All students attending MCPS schools are required to submit immunization information at enrollment and when new immunizations are received. Students not in compliance with Maryland vaccination requirements will be excluded from attending school until they provide documentation of required immunizations. Parent/guardians should contact their health care provider to make sure their child is properly immunized and submit a copy of the documentation to the child's school health nurse as soon as possible.

The State of Maryland additionally requires that all 7th grade students receive vaccination against Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) and Meningococcal meningitis (MCV4) prior to the start of the school year. Students in Grades 8 through 12 are required to have one Tdap and MCV4 vaccination. Please refer to Quick Links for Maryland Vaccination Requirements. The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) offers Immunization Clinics to ensure all students have a chance to receive the necessary immunizations. Contact your student's health room for more information. Maryland state immunization requirement information is at Maryland Department of Health Center for Immunization.

What We Do

SHS assesses the health needs of students, provides sick and emergency care, monitors to assure immunization compliance, manages communicable diseases, administers medications and treatments to students who have authorized health care provider’s orders, and maintains student health records. Staff members refer families of eligible uninsured students to the Montgomery County Office of Eligibility and Special Services.
School Community Health Nurses provide consultation on health issues related to Individualized Education Programs and Section 504 Accommodation Plans. They provide case management for students with special health needs and chronic health conditions, and link students and families to community resources.
SHS collaborates with public and private partners to plan and implement prevention initiatives to address community-wide public health concerns, such as childhood obesity, asthma, diabetes, oral health, minority disparities, and barriers to health care.
In accordance with Maryland State Law, students in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) will be screened by trained School Health Services staff for vision and hearing concerns in Pre-Kindergarten, Head Start, Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 8, and for students new to MCPS. Teachers may also refer students to be screened if they notice problems with vision or hearing in the classroom. Parents/guardians will be notified if their student is referred for further evaluation. Families should contact their school nurse for assistance in locating resources. If families do not want their child to be screened, please provide a written request to the school nurse.
The School Health Lead Program assures compliance with Maryland requirements by notifying parents of students in prekindergarten, kindergarten, and Grade 1 of the requirements to complete the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Blood Lead Testing Certificate.
SHS oversees the Head Start Early Childhood Program’s health services, which provides screenings and connects students to medical and dental services.
SHS staff members working at the SHS Immunization Center located at the Rocking Horse Road Center, provide immunizations and tuberculosis screenings to newly enrolling international students, and to students returning to the U.S. after living abroad for one year or more.