Office of Psychological Services

Sheilah Wright
Director

Longfellow Annex – Room 251
13141 Rosa Parks
Detroit, MI 48238
Phone: (313) 866-0859
Fax: (313) 252-9992

Mission

The mission of the Office of Psychological Services is to promote successful learning for all children. Psychologists utilize research-driven prevention and intervention strategies to nurture total child development by applying sound psychological principles to instruction and learning and socio-emotional development. School psychologists help teachers, parents and students understand, prevent and solve problems, and promote positive mental health and effective environments for lifelong learning.

Goals

The goals and objectives of the Office of Psychological Services are aligned with District Goals.

School psychologists:

1. Provide comprehensive psychological services to all Detroit Public Schools students, as well as non-enrolled children, and private/parochial school students within the City of Detroit, ages birth through 26 years, consistent with state and federal guidelines.
2. Review, analyze and update the implementation of major state and federal policies and reform statements to ensure the provision of services that emphasize problem-solving, functional assessment and educational accountability.
3. Respond to referrals of children with suspected learning and/or behavioral difficulties within mandated state and federal timelines.
4. Increase the capacity of general curriculum programs to identify and remediate learning and behavior problems within the least restrictive environment – the general education classroom.
5. Provide scientifically-based reading intervention strategies in each elementary school.
6. Develop service delivery models that enhance strong school-based decision-making teams.
7. Facilitate data-driven instructional practices through the application of diagnostic evaluations, functional behavioral assessments, and direct academic and behavioral interventions.

Staff

Paul Chrustowski, Ph.D.
Supervisor
Room 248C
313-866-0864

Michelle Hampton, M.A.
Supervisor
Room 243B
313-866-0868

Marsha Irvin-Smith
School Psychologist, Coordinator
Room 248A
313-866-0862

Deann Mack
Supervisor
Room 234A
313-866-0869

David Maxwell
Supervisor
Room 248D
313-866-0865

Special Education Referral and Evaluation Process

• Understanding the Special Education Process
• Referral/Evaluation Review Process

Helpful Resources from the Office of Psychological Services

Parent Information Pamphlets

• Office of Psychological Services – Who are School Psychologists?
• Helping Your Child Succeed in School
• It’s Time to Talk
• Psychological Evaluations – A Parent Information Pamphlet
• Teenage Suicide
• School Psychologists: Partners in Healthcare
• School Psychologists as Mental Health Service Providers
• School Psychologists: Providing Mental Health Services to Improve the Lives and Learning of Children and Youth

Handouts for Families and Educators

• Teaching Young Children Self-Control Skills
• Helping the Student with ADHD in the Classroom
• Autism Spectrum Disorders Primer for Parents and Educators
• Homework Guide For Parents

Other Resources

• National Association of School Psychologists
• Michigan Association of School Psychologists
• Parent Information Center
• Reading Rockets
• Helping Our Children Read and Write
• About® Homework and Study Tips
• Study Skills
• Intervention Central
• Seizure Information from Pediatric Neurology