Public & Nonpublic Services

The Division of Services to Public and NonPublic Schools

Dr. Francisca Rosa

Director

973-405-6262 x289

f.rosa@eresc.com

THE DIVISION OF SERVICES TO PUBLIC AND NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS (DSPNS)

MISSION: To close achievement gaps through meaningful partnerships, providing high-quality educational and administrative support that is both efficient and cost-effective.
The Division of Services to Public and Nonpublic Schools (DSPNS), part of Essex Regional Educational Services Commission (ERESC), provides academic and support programs to students in Essex, Hudson, Passaic, and Bergen counties. By partnering with New Jersey school districts, they use state and federal funds to deliver cost-effective educational services.

Academic Support: Direct instruction and remedial services for students.
Specialized Services: Speech therapy, nursing, evaluation services, etc.
Administrative Oversight: Management of state and federal funding for nonpublic schools.

The Division of Services to Public and Nonpublic Schools (DSPNS) provides services through:

Contracts: Local school districts contract the ERESC to handle their nonpublic school obligations.
Funding: Services are paid for through state and federal grants, ensuring no direct cost to the nonpublic schools for mandated programs.
Partnership: The Division works closely with school leaders to ensure services are high-quality and efficient.

Services

Direct Services Staff

(973) 405-6262

Dial by Extention Below

Zoe Luke

Supervisor of Instruction & Related Services:
Ch. 192/193, Title I, IDEA-B, & Nursing
973-405-6262 x226
z.luke@eresc.com

Richard Rando

Supervisor of Instruction & Related Services:
Ch. 192/193, Public/Nonpublic CST, Speech, & ESL
973-405-6262 x228
r.rando@eresc.com

Valentina Torres

Supervisor of Instruction & Related Services
192/193:ESL, Speech, Public CST
973-405-6262 x285
v.torres@eresc.com

Carmen Ventola

Coordinator of Services
973-405-6262 x225
c.ventola@eresc.com

Marcia Palmer

Secretarial Support
973-405-6262 x227
m.palmer@eresc.com

Lisa Mistretta

Secretarial Support
973-405-6262 x212
l.mistretta@eresc.com

The Division of Services to Public and Nonpublic Schools

Auxiliary and Remedial Services (Chapter 192 & 193)
Zoe Luke x226; Richard Rando x228

Through Essex Regional Educational Services Commission (ERESC), the Division of Services to Public and Nonpublic Schools (DSPNS) has been a long-standing partner to New Jersey school districts, providing mandated state-funded services to eligible students in nonpublic schools under Chapter 192 and Chapter 193. These programs are designed to ensure that all students, regardless of whether they attend public or nonpublic schools, have an equal opportunity to reach their full intellectual potential.

Chapter 192 (Auxiliary Services)

Provide critical academic support to students who have specific needs that may prevent them from succeeding in a
regular classroom setting.
○ Compensatory Education
○ English as a Second Language
○ Home Instruction

Chapter 193 (Remedial Services)

Focus on identifying and supporting students with disabilities through specialized remedial programs.
○ Examination and Classification (CST)
○ Supplemental Instruction
○ Speech-Language Services

Nonpublic Nursing Services

Zoe Luke x226

The Division of Services to Public and Nonpublic Schools (DSPNS) at Essex Regional Educational Services Commission (ERESC) provides mandated health and nursing services to approximately 47 nonpublic schools. These services ensure that every student has equal access to professional healthcare within their learning environment, fostering a safe and healthy school community.
● Daily Health Office Management
● Mandated Health Screenings
● Health Record Maintenance
● Emergency Care
● Nursing Supplies

Nonpublic Security Programs

Carmen Ventolax 225

The Nonpublic School Security Program, authorized by the Secure Schools for All Children Act, provides state aid to ensure a safe and secure environment for students in nonpublic schools. The Essex Regional Educational Services Commission (ERESC) serves as a vital partner for local school districts, managing the complex administrative and procurement tasks required to implement these security measures effectively.
● Security Personnel
● Surveillance & Alarms
● Building Hardening
● Emergency Communications
● Perimeter Security
● Cybersecurity
● Security Training

Nonpublic Technology Program

The purpose of the Nonpublic Technology Program is to provide nonpublic school students with devices, such as computers, educational software, distance learning equipment and other technologies that can improve their education by meeting their specific needs. Currently, we have contracts with three districts to work with their nonpublic schools in utilizing the Nonpublic Technology Program funding. The program also provides for training for the nonpublic school teachers in the skills and resources needed to use technology effectively to improve teaching and learning in the classroom. The ERESC works in consultation with the nonpublic school administrators to identify the types of technology needed for their students and processes all requests for materials or professional development. We manage each nonpublic schools’ budget and maintain records of materials purchased and provide documentation for the local school district on how the funding was utilized.

TITLE I Programs

The purpose of the Title I Program is to provide all children a significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education, and to close educational achievement gaps. In 2015, Congress reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, also known as “Every Student Succeeds Act” (ESSA). The local educational agency or LEA, is responsible for implementing the goals of the Title I Program. The LEA’s contract with the ERESC to utilize Title I funding for services in their nonpublic schools. We currently provide Title I services to nonpublic students in 7 school districts. The LEA’s determine the eligibility criteria for Title I services. When determined eligible for Title I services, nonpublic students receive remedial services in the areas of reading/writing and mathematics. The services can be provided during the school day, or in before or after school programs. Title I funding can also be used to provide non-instructional services to students such as counseling and instructional materials. Providing professional development services is another allowable use of Title I funding. The ERESC works in consultation with the LEA and the nonpublic school administrators to identify all students eligible for the Title I program. It is the responsibility of the ERESC teacher to collect data on the progress of each student throughout the school year. This data is provided to the LEA to measure the effectiveness of our Title I programs.

IDEA Programs

The Individuals with Disabilities Act or IDEA, is a grant program that provides federal funding for the education of students with disabilities and requires that states provide a free and appropriate education (FAPE), at no cost to the parents. LEA’s contact with the ERESC to provide direct services to students, the purchase of materials for student use, and coordinate professional development training for the teachers in the nonpublic schools. Currently, ERESC has contracts with 9 school districts to provide IDEA programs and services in their nonpublic schools. Students who receive services through IDEA funding have been evaluated by the Child Study Team and are determined eligible for Special Education services. Among the services covered under IDEA are special education instructional services; related services such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy; and supplementary aids and services, such as adaptive equipment or special communication systems. ERESC also provides training for the nonpublic school teachers on how to meet the individual needs of their special education students who qualify for IDEA funding.

Public School Programs and Services

In addition to working in nonpublic schools, the ERESC is also contracted to provide services to students in select Charter and public schools. These services include conducting Child Study Team evaluations and speech-language evaluations for students in public school programs as well as providing speech-language services to eligible students. The ERESC also provides occupational and physical therapy evaluations and services to students in public school districts. These services are contracted directly through the local public school district.

Mobile Classrooms

The ERESC currently maintains mobile (vehicular) classrooms at four nonpublic schools. If a nonpublic school does not have space in their building, we can place a mobile classroom at their location for the ERESC teacher to use when providing nonpublic services. In our Chapter 192/193 funding, there is a separate per pupil rate for providing a mobile classroom to a nonpublic school and the LEA is charged on a monthly basis. In recent years, due to declining enrollment, many of our teachers have been given access to a classroom in the nonpublic schools, thereby reducing the need for a mobile classroom.

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