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The responsibilities of special education and student services leaders continue to evolve. Beyond ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations, today’s districts are challenged with recruiting qualified professionals, supporting increasingly diverse student needs, managing limited resources, and maintaining high-quality related services that positively impact student outcomes.
Related services, including occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy (PT), and speech-language pathology (SLP), are essential components of a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). As the educational landscape changes, districts are rethinking how these services are delivered, supported, and evaluated.
At AOT, Inc., we understand that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Every district faces unique challenges, but one thing remains consistent: successful related services programs are built through collaboration, strategic planning, and strong partnerships. That’s why we’re excited to offer our Educational Services Leadership Series, a complimentary webinar series designed to equip special education and student services leaders with practical insights into today’s most pressing challenges.
While many conversations begin with staffing shortages, the broader goal is creating stability and continuity of care.
Recruiting qualified therapists remains challenging across many regions, but districts increasingly recognize that sustainable programs require more than simply filling open positions. Long-term success depends on clinical support, onboarding, communication, mentorship, and partnerships that understand the realities of school-based practice.
An effective staffing partner should become an extension of the district, not simply a vendor.
That means understanding:
When these elements are aligned, therapists are better supported, districts experience improved continuity, and students receive more consistent services.
Webinar: Beyond Filling Vacancies: Building a Sustainable Related Services Workforce
July 15, 2026 | 12:00 PM ET
Explore workforce trends, recruitment challenges, retention strategies, and what districts should expect from a staffing partner committed to long-term success.
School districts are balancing staffing shortages with increasing administrative responsibilities. As a result, many are exploring Managed Service Provider (MSP) models to simplify supplemental staffing. By centralizing vendor management, improving reporting, strengthening compliance, and increasing oversight, an MSP can help districts reduce administrative burden while maintaining high-quality services and allowing leaders to focus on supporting students.
Webinar: Managing Supplemental Staffing: Is an MSP Right for Your District?
July 21, 2026 | 12:00 PM ET
Discover how Managed Service Provider (MSP) models can streamline supplemental staffing, strengthen vendor oversight, improve reporting and compliance, and reduce administrative burden.
The most successful districts recognize that improving related services requires collaboration among the team.
Therapists, teachers, administrators, families, school psychologists, behavior specialists, and paraprofessionals all contribute unique expertise toward helping students succeed.
Rather than working independently, multidisciplinary teams are increasingly collaborating to solve problems together, share strategies, and develop interventions that fit naturally within classroom routines.
Research from the American Occupational Therapy Association supports integrating therapeutic strategies into authentic educational environments where students naturally participate throughout the school day. Likewise, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association emphasizes collaborative service delivery models that improve educational outcomes by supporting communication within meaningful school contexts.
These collaborative approaches not only strengthen student outcomes but also build capacity within school teams.
Consultation is no longer limited to occasional meetings between therapists and educators.
Today’s collaborative models emphasize…
By working together, therapists, teachers, and school teams can create more consistent supports that help students participate, learn, and succeed throughout the school day.
Webinar: Consult is Changing: Supporting Student Success Through Collaboration
July 30, 2026 | 12:00 PM ET
Learn how consultation continues to evolve and explore strategies for maximizing collaboration between therapists, educators, and school teams.
District leaders have access to more information than ever before, but knowing which metrics matter can make all the difference.
Beyond compliance indicators, many districts are evaluating operational data to better understand program effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement.
Examples include:
When reviewed regularly, these metrics can reveal trends, improve resource allocation, and support informed decision-making.
Webinar: Are Your Services Running Efficiently? Key Metrics Every District Should Review
August 10, 2026 | 11:00 AM ET
Review operational metrics that help districts evaluate service delivery, optimize caseloads, improve workflows, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
Student success depends on more than academic achievement alone.
Schools increasingly recognize the relationship between sensory processing, emotional regulation, communication, motor development, behavior, executive functioning, and social participation.
Supporting these interconnected needs requires coordinated planning across disciplines.
Occupational therapists may recommend classroom strategies that support regulation, speech-language pathologists help strengthen communication, physical therapists address mobility and access, teachers implement instructional supports, and administrators ensure systems are in place to facilitate collaboration.
When professionals share expertise and work toward common educational goals, students experience more consistent support across environments.
August 25, 2026 | 10:00 AM ET
Explore interdisciplinary strategies that support student regulation, behavior, sensory processing, and social-emotional development through collaborative educational practices.
To support school leaders navigating today’s changing educational landscape, AOT, Inc. is proud to offer a complimentary Educational Services Leadership Series focused on practical leadership strategies for strengthening related services.
Presented by Maria Lehman, OTR/L, Vice President of Clinical Services; Elena Spearing, PT, DPT, MBA, Director of Clinical Operations; and Monica Gaertner, Vice President, Managed Services – Education, each 30-minute session combines expert insights with practical applications for today’s school districts.
Special education continues to evolve, and so do the opportunities to strengthen how related services are delivered. While staffing challenges, changing student needs, and increasing operational demands remain significant, they also encourage districts to rethink traditional approaches and embrace innovation.
By fostering collaborative teams, using meaningful data to guide decisions, investing in sustainable workforce strategies, and building trusted partnerships, school districts can create resilient related services programs that better support students, educators, and families.
At AOT, Inc., we believe that leadership is about more than responding to challenges but being proactive and preparing for the future. Through our Educational Services Leadership Series, we’re proud to share practical strategies and meaningful conversations that help districts continue delivering exceptional support for every student.