Student Support Personnel

Having professional student support personnel as integrated members of the school staff empowers principals to more efficiently and effectively deploy resources, ensure coordination of services, evaluate their effectiveness, and adjust supports to meet the dynamic need of their student population. 

Improving access also allows for enhanced collaboration with community providers to meet the more intense or clinical needs of students. The general roles and responsibilities may differ by county and by school. 

Professional Student Support Personnel

Student support personnel provide direct support services to students, including emotional and social support and addressing issues such as chronic absenteeism. These roles include:

• Attendance Directors and Specialists - Typically charged with ensuring compliance with attendance and truancy policies, these individuals can work with principals and other staff to promote and organize a more comprehensive approach to improving attendance that begins with prevention. Attendance Directors/Attendance Specialists work with at-risk students to promote regular school attendance and provide interventions that support regular attendance
• Behavior Interventionists - Behavioral Interventionists help children develop social skills, improve their ability to learn in school, and eliminate or reduce negative or disruptive behaviors.
• Communities in Schools Site Coordinators - Site Coordinators are responsible for overall planning and managing of Communities In Schools (CIS) operations at the schools in the implementation of the CIS model of integrated student supports.
• School Counselors - School counselors are certified/licensed educators who improve student success for ALL students by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program.
• School Nurses - School nurses are certified/licensed professionals who protect and promote student health, facilitate optimal development, and advance academic success.
• School Psychologists - School psychologists are certified/licensed professionals who improve student success for ALL students by following the NASP Model for Comprehensive and Integrated School Psychological Services.
• School Social Workers - School social workers are licensed professionals who serve as a link between school and community to promote and support students’ academic and social success.