Livingston County Special Services Unit
Livingston County Special Services Unit (LCSSU) is a cooperative for special education and other related services that serves thirteen member school districts in Livingston County. The cooperative has a history of engaging in progressive practices, such as being an early implementer of the individual problem solving process (“Flexible Service Delivery”) and transdisciplinary play based assessments for early childhood services. LCSSU began gradually leading member districts toward Response to Intervention practices several years prior to the State and Federal mandates and continues to work toward fuller implementation of multi-tiered systems.
There are a number of professional opportunities that interns can consider for creating a well-rounded internship experience. Interns will find a great deal of flexibility to individualize the experiences to match the unique training needs and interests. With regard to public school experience, LCSSU provides services to 11 districts in and around Pontiac, IL. Many of the districts are rural and culturally diverse, with varying rates of socioeconomic status and student mobility. Additionally, interns have the opportunity to be involved in schools at various levels of sophistication with regard to Response to Intervention (RTI) implementation.
Within the schools, interns will have the opportunity to work with students of all ages. Several schools provide early childhood services, as well as educational opportunities for at-risk preschool age children. Interns will be involved in play based early childhood screenings and have the opportunity to gain experience with transdisciplinary play based assessments for preschool children.
Interns may find opportunities to participate in coaching schools through implementation of Positive Behavioral Supports (PBS). There are currently three districts and six attendance centers at some stage of development with regard to PBS systems. Interns may gain experience with interpreting office discipline referral data and using the School Wide Information System (SWIS). Interns may also be able to gain experience with implementation of indicated interventions, such as the Behavior Education Program and First Steps to Success. Interns may also be involved in universal screening in schools for behavioral concerns and implementation of universal, selective, and indicated behavioral interventions.
Interns at LCSSU typically provide counseling one day per week at Pontiac Township High School within the Student Health Center, which is designed to improve the overall physical and emotional health of students by working in cooperation with the existing school health education curriculum and community health care services. In that role, interns are involved in individual counseling, mental health screening, group counseling, and universal mental health awareness.
Some interns opt to participate in the therapeutic day programs for students with emotional behavioral disorders. Livingston County Academy and Crossroads Academy serve children with extreme disruptive behaviors or emotional instability from Kindergarten through high school. Within these programs, interns may be involved in individual counseling, group counseling, and teacher consultation.
During the summer months, interns assist students enrolled in the SAILS program who have a diagnosis of Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Asperger's Disorder, Executive Functioning Disorder, Non-Verbal Learning Disability, and Communication Disorder by consulting with parents during home visits, utilizing applied behavioral analysis, discrete trial and assistive technology intended to improve language development. Finally, interns are encouraged to participate in evaluating programs, developing programs, providing professional development opportunities, and writing grants.
The interns’ 40-hour work week occurs 7:30-4:00 on weekdays. Interns share a wide variety of current instruments, resources and technology within a common space at the cooperative. They are provided laptops, clerical support, and all materials necessary for performance of their role. Interns are required to provide their own transportation between districts. Stipend $16,000 plus benefits.
SUPERVISORS
Ginger Brainard, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and certified school psychologist. She earned her BS degree in 1986 from Iowa State and her doctorate from Louisiana State in 1990. Since interning at Arkansas Children's Hospital, she has served as school psychologist in a number of school districts and special education cooperatives in Arkansas and Illinois. Her interests include child/adolescent behavioral therapy, ADHD, & RTI.
Video Clip: Dr. Brent Sylvester describes the opportunities. Note: it may take a few minute to download