
SDCOE»Student Services and Programs»Student Support Services»S3 Department Contacts

S3 Department Contacts

Safety and Student Engagement

Barbara Higgins, Director, Safety and Student Engagement

858-298-2081

Leads the Safety and Student Engagement unit.
Provides training and technical support on the following topics: 504 Plans, Annual Notification of Parents, Appeals to SD County Board of Education, Attendance, Countywide Plan for Serving Expelled Students, Crisis Intervention Teams, Enrollment, Expulsion, Home School, Interdistrict Transfer, Intradistrict School Choice, Records, Residency, Safety, SARB - School Attendance Review Board, Suspension, Threat Assessment Teams and general support for questions related to child welfare and attendance / student services.

Anthony Ceja, Senior Manager

858-298-2111

Leads the PASS/AmeriCorps team.
Provides training and/or technical support on the following topics: AmeriCorps Grants, Gang Awareness and Prevention Strategies, Mentoring for Students At-Risk of School Failure, PASS AmeriCorps, Restorative Practices

Jim Crittenden, Program Specialist

858-298-2092

Sal Garcia, Project Specialist

858-298-2100

Provides training and/or technical support on the following topics: Cyberbullying/Bullying, Youth Digital Trends, Digital Citizenship, Friday Night Live, Strength Finders, Youth Development, Youth Conferences.

Mara Madrigal Weiss, Director, Student Wellness and Positive School Climate

858-298-2068

Leads the Student Wellness and Positive School Climate team.
Provides training and/or technical support on the following topics: Bullying Prevention and Intervention, Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC), Interagency Information Sharing (GOALS MOU), LGBTQ, Mental Health First Aid (Youth), Military Student and Family Supports, Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS), Project Cal-Well Grant Activities, Suicide Prevention, Trauma Informed Practices in Schools

Violeta Mora, Project Specialist

858-298-2099

Provides training and/or technical support on the following topics: Bullying Prevention and Intervention, Student Mental Health & Well-Being

Heather Nemour, Project Specialist

858-298-2093

Provides training and/or technical support on the following topics: Building Asset Based Relationships with Youth, Family Engagement, Mental Health First Aid (Youth), Standards of Quality for Family Strengthening & Support, School Wide Information System for PBIS

Jenée Peevy, Program Specialist

858-298-2105

Provides training and/or technical support on the following topics: Mentoring for Students At-Risk of School Failure, Restorative Practices, SARB - School Attendance Review Board, SART - School Attendance Review Teams, Social Work Interns

Corinne McCarthy, Program Specialist, School Nursing

858-298-2094

Provides training and/or technical support on the following topics, including but not limited to: Student Health Concerns & Health Plans, Student Mental Health and Well-Being, Mandated Health Screenings, Immunizations, see Health Services (School) for more information

Lisa Davis, Project Specialist

858-298-2096

Provides training and/or technical support on the following topics: Grant and Fiscal Management for the ASSETs.

Mindy Kukich, Project Specialist - Foster Youth Services

858-298-2060

Leads the Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program.
Provides training and/or technical support on the following topics: AB 490 Liaison Training, Endless Dreams: Building Educational Support for Youth in Foster Care, FY-SIS & Interagency Agreement on Information Sharing for Students in Foster Care, School Success Education Liaisons, Trauma-Informed Practices for Schools, Laws and Mandates Related to the Educational Needs of Students in Foster Care, LCAP Focus Groups: Stakeholder Input for Students in Foster Care, Mandated Child Abuse Reporting, Understanding and Recognizing Child Abuse

Michelle Bailow, Tutor Connection Program Supervisor

858-298-2056

Provides training and/or technical support on the following topics: Tutor Connection (for Students in Foster Care), Trauma Informed Practices for Schools

Susie Terry, Project Specialist - Homeless Education Services

858-298-2062

Provides training and/or technical support on the following topics: Endless Dreams: Building Educational Support for Youth in Foster Care, Homeless Education Services & Resources, McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, Mandated Child Abuse Reporting, McKinney-Vento Online Toolkit, Unaccompanied Youth Services and Supports, Trauma Informed Practices for Schools, Leads the San Diego Countywide Transportation Program which provides transportation to school of origin for students in foster care.

Susan Jeremiah, Administrative Assistant I

858-298-2064

Jose Garibay-Najera, Program Clerk 858-298-2065