Public and NonPublic Schools
Jo Ann Karamus
Director
973-405-6262 x289
j.karamus@eresc.com
The Division of Services to Public and NonPublic Schools
The Division of Services to Public and Nonpublic Schools provides direct academic and support services to students in nonpublic schools in the following counties: Essex, Hudson, and Passaic. Our teachers, paraprofessionals, Child Study Team members and therapists provide services to students in approximately 60 nonpublic schools. Our nonpublic programs are funded in one of two ways; by the NJ Department of Education funding notices or through Federal funding allocations for programs such as Title I and IDEA-B. Districts enter into a contract with the ERESC for services for the students of their nonpublic schools.
The mission of the members of the Division of Services to Public and Nonpublic Schools is to build meaningful partnerships with the nonpublic schools and to provide high-quality educational, administrative, and support services in a cost-effective and efficient manner to meet the needs of their students.
Direct Services Staff
(973) 405-6262
Dial by Extention Below
Laquisha Valentin
Operations Manager
973-405-6262 x232
l.valentin@eresc.com
Karen Husser
Supervisor of Nursing Services
973-405-6262 x214
k.husser@eresc.com
Zoe Luke
Supervisor of Instruction & Related Services
973-405-6262 x226
z.luke@eresc.com
Jennifer Spence
Supervisor of Instruction
973-405-6262 x206
j.spence@eresc.com
Carmen Ventola
Coordinator of Services
973-405-6262 x225
c.ventola@eresc.com
Lisa Mistretta
Secretarial Support
973-405-6262 x212
l.mistretta@eresc.com
Marcia Palmer
Secretarial Support
973-405-6262 x227
m.palmer@eresc.com
Valentina Torres
Secretarial Support
973-405-6262 x285
V.Torres@eresc.com
The Division of Services to Public and Nonpublic Schools
Chapter 192/193 Services
Chapter 192 programs and Chapter 193 programs are provided to eligible students enrolled full-time in nonpublic elementary and secondary schools in New Jersey. Chapter 192 programs provide nonpublic school students with critical academic support services such as compensatory education, English language services and home instruction. Chapter 193 programs provide nonpublic school students with remedial services such as evaluation and determination of eligibility for special education and with related services that include supplementary instruction and speech-language services.
Nonpublic Nursing Services
Chapter 192 programs and Chapter 193 programs are provided to eligible students enrolled full-time in nonpublic elementary and secondary schools in New Jersey. Chapter 192 programs provide nonpublic school students with critical academic support services such as compensatory education, English language services and home instruction. Chapter 193 programs provide nonpublic school students with remedial services such as evaluation and determination of eligibility for special education and with related services that include supplementary instruction and speech-language services.
Nonpublic Security Programs
The Nonpublic School Security Program permits local school districts contract with the ERESC to provide security services, purchase equipment, and technology to their eligible nonpublic schools. Allocations for each nonpublic school are provided by the NJ Department of Education. Currently, we have contracts with three districts to work with their nonpublic schools in utilizing the Nonpublic Security Program funding. The ERESC consults with each nonpublic school to determine their individual school needs, assists them in locating vendors, and processes requests for materials. In addition, we monitor the budget for each nonpublic school, process invoices for payment, and maintain records of how the funding was utilized.
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.