LEARN Student Support Services

LEARN’s multidisciplinary team creates comprehensive, customized learning opportunities to support and enhance the educational experiences of individuals with complex needs. Our team fosters their growth, independence, and overall well-being. The program serves students ages 3-21 (22). To support each learner, the team uses a variety of approaches, including the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and evidence-based teaching practices to build toward long-term life goals.  

LEARN’s diagnostic team of professionals works to identify the specific learning needs, disabilities, or developmental areas that may be affecting a student’s performance or overall educational experience. Our team consists of experts from a variety of fields, including psychiatry; psychology; nursing; special education; speech and language pathology; and occupational and physical therapy. The team provides school districts with a comprehensive plan to determine a student’s least restrictive environment.  

LEARN’s programs incorporate customized learning opportunities, social and behavioral support, and therapeutic elements focused on positive relationships linking back to family and community. This creates the context for students to build the skills needed to be resilient community members who practice self-care, empathy, and who can establish relationships both in and out of school. LEARN’s staff understand that social-emotional well-being is essential for academic success and overall personal growth. Our program is designed to empower students to thrive in both academic and social environments. 

LEARN’s team of specialized educators work to empower students with significant disabilities to transition successfully into adulthood. Through a customized, person-centered, and collaborative approach, our team works closely with students, families, schools, and community partners to ensure a comprehensive and tailored transition plan that promotes independence, employment, and meaningful engagement in the community. 

LEARN’s early childhood specialists customize learning experiences to meet your program needs. The overall goal of this service is to provide on-site training and coaching that continuously improves your program and leads to improved child outcomes. 

The Connecticut Office of Early Childhood supports the School Readiness Grant Program. This program provides affordable, high-quality early care and education services in high-need communities that help young children prepare for kindergarten. LEARN’s staff, experienced in both early childhood education as well as in the requirements and practices of the School Readiness Grant, provide leadership and support to those receiving School Readiness funds. 

LEARN’s early childhood education team provides leadership and support, information and consultation, and professional learning experiences to programs pursuing NAEYC Accreditation. Services include overviews of NAEYC Program Standards and Accreditation Performance Criteria; technical assistance with the process of accreditation; and individualized support for programs engaged in the self-study. 

LEARN’s networks, collaboratives, and roundtables provide forums for educators to discuss best practices, emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities. Participants share experiences and LEARN staff provide current early childhood and student support services information, as well as information from the Connecticut State Department of Education. 

LEARN’s Student Support Services practitioners, with experience in highly specialized fields, co-develop targeted, customized learning opportunities with your school district staff. The overall goal is to support schools and educators in continuous learning, leading to improved student outcomes.  

LEARN’s Office of Student Support Services collaborates with school districts to provide an unbiased, objective analysis of current practices and systems to create a plan for continuous improvement. The review captures both general education and special education practices that are coupled with data to form recommendations for continued growth. The process is highly customized and focuses on essential questions and co-designed to meet the school district’s goals.  

LEARN’s specialized staff have a breadth of expertise to support programming and needs within a school setting. Supports can be embedded staff members, ongoing regular consultation, program development, or responding to specific individual student needs. The consultation is built based on mutual goal setting to meet the school district’s needs.  

LEARN’s special educators customize learning experiences to meet your program needs. The overall goal of this service is to provide on-site training and coaching that continuously improves your program and leads to improved student outcomes. 

LEARN’s team uses a culturally responsive frame to identify specific learning difficulties, disabilities, second language acquisition, or developmental issues that may be affecting a student's academic performance and overall educational experience. Our team typically consists of experts from various fields and includes psychologists; psychiatrists; special educators; speech and language pathologists; occupational therapists; multilingual experts; and educational diagnosticians. The team conducts assessments and evaluations of students, develops individualized education plans, and makes recommendations for interventions. Recommendations are designed to promote effective learning and enhance overall educational outcomes. 

LEARN’s Trauma Informed Care Training Programs focus on understanding and addressing trauma within educational settings. Our programs aim to effectively equip educators, administrators, and school staff to support students who have experienced trauma. Key components covered include understanding childhood trauma; trauma-informed school practices; recognizing trauma signs and triggers; trauma sensitive classroom strategies; building resilience; self-care for educators; policy; and systemic change.