About Us

The West Virginia Department of Education Office of Student Support and Well-being (OSSW) brings several initiatives and programs under one umbrella to coordinate services for the whole child and ensures each student has at least one caring adult that keeps them connected to the school system. The OSSW’s collaborative infrastructure harnesses resources, best practices, momentum and expertise to prepare the whole child for post-secondary options whether that be education, employment or enlistment.

Professional Student Support Personnel

The WVDE recognizes the effectiveness of collaboration to support the whole child and works across the department to support student success. Click here to learn more about Collaborating for Student Success: Understanding the Roles of Professional Student Support Personnel.

For suggestions for self-care, please visit the West Virginia Wellness website.

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More For Professional Student Support Personnel

School Counselors

Support all students in the areas of academic achievement, career development, and social/emotional development through universal prevention and targeted interventions.

Information for School Counselors

School Psychologists

Consult with teachers and parents to provide coordinated services and supports for students struggling with learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral problems, and those experiencing mental health problems.

Information for school psychologists

School Nurses

Support student success by providing health care through assessment, intervention, and follow-up for all children. He or she addresses the physical, mental, emotional, and social health needs of students and supports their achievement in the learning process.

Information for School Nurses

School Social Workers

Remedy barriers to learning created by poverty, inadequate health care, and neighborhood violence. Provide supports to high-risk students to prevent truancy and dropping out of school.

Information for school social workers

Communities In Schools (CIS) Coordinators

Facilitate and provide leadership for the collaborative process and development of a continuum of services for children, families and community members within a school community.

More about Communities In Schools

Attendance Directors/ Assistant Attendance Directors

Work with students and families to identify and address reasons for unexcused absences and encourage faithful attendance.

More about attendance

Community & Family Partners

Augment services within the school and link students to other services and support in the community. A successful partnership between school, community, and families has a significant impact on student wellness and academic success.

Information for Community & Family Partners

Behavior Interventionists

Assesses students with behavior issues, collects data, works with teachers, counselors and school psychologists to devise a behavior plan for the student and evaluation of the effectiveness of the plan to teach appropriate behaviors.

Information for Behavior Interventionists