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About Us

Our Mission:

The mission of the Department of Special Services is to provide a planned program of instructional, psychological, social, and related services to help schools meet the unique needs of identified students and their families. The department provides a network of support to staff, students, and families that eliminates obstacles, facilitates instruction, and enables students to succeed as individuals within the learning environment. Through instructional leadership, curriculum development, program evaluation, staff development, and support for alternative, special education, and student services programs, the department ensures that all program areas in schools are fully supported and able to comply with fiscal, legal, and personnel requirements. View student achievement goals >

Areas of Responsibility:

The department is organized into four offices of responsibility to provide effective and efficient services to FCPS employees, parents and the community.

Intervention and Prevention Services:

The Office of Intervention and Prevention Services is responsible for Nontraditional School Programs, Psychology Services, Social Work Services, and Student Safety and Wellness. The Office ensures that a continuum of services is available to every student to ensure an appropriate public education; it provides a network of support to staff, students, and families, which eliminates obstacles to service delivery, facilitates instruction, and enables students to succeed as individuals within the learning environment.

Operations and Strategic Planning:

The Office of Operations and Strategic Planning ensures that Department of Special Services programs and special education students are adequately supported in their fiscal, data, and information requirements. Operations and Strategic Planning services include data management, financial management, web development, and student registration.

Special Education Instruction:

The Office of Special Education Instruction directs and supports the development, implementation, operation, and evaluation of Pre K–12 educational programs, curricula, and services that meet the unique needs of students with disabilities. The office plans and provides professional development for staff and administrators and provides instructional leadership for , and supervision, coordination, and evaluation of early childhood, elementary, secondary, career and transition programs and services.

Special Education Procedural Support:

The Office of Special Education Procedural Support provides guidance to staff, families, and students in areas related to the implementation of and compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended. Personnel serve as intermediaries and resources to programs internal and external to FCPS to facilitate the implementation of federal, state and local regulations supporting students who have a disability or are suspected of having a disability.

Operational Expectations:

As part of the Fairfax County School Board’s process of strategic governance, the department sets and meets annual performance goals through Operational Expectations for Special Services.

DSS Advisory Groups:

Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities

School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC)