Office of Student, Family & Community Connections

The Office of Student, Family, and Community Connections (OSFCC) is an integral part of the educational process. The department's primary focus is to remove barriers to student learning and student achievement. The staff addresses issues through prevention and intervention strategies in order to help students overcome learning challenges and to achieve higher academic levels.

OSFCC also assists schools in maintaining safe and nurturing school environments. The OSFCC staff is committed to providing direct case- management services to students and families experiencing academic, social or emotional problems. The OSFCC umbrella includes guidance and counseling, health services, psychological services, special education, alternative education, health education and other programs such as home schooling and dropout prevention.

OSFCC is also responsible for providing leadership and technical assistance to schools in order to facilitate the emotional, mental, social, and physical health of all students. The OSFCC staff is comprised of a supervisor, three caseworkers known as Student Services Specialists, and a Family and School Connections Facilitator.

Nicole A. Selby

Student, Family & Community Connections Coordinator
Worcester County Public Schools
6270 Worcester Highway, Newark, MD 21841
Phone: 410-632-5079
Email: naselby@worcesterk12.org

Meet the Team

Student Services Specialists and the Family and School Connection Facilitator will continue to provide and maintain a bridge between learning and social factors that impact educational achievement. Students and families have complex needs and interests, which extend beyond the educational system. Each student has unique characteristics. Cultural, physical, social and emotional factors are all important. The strength of the department lies in the expertise of our staff and their genuine and sincere concern for the children of Worcester County.

Student Services Specialists

Student Services Specialists (SSS) are trained to assess student needs and act as a motivating force in removing barriers to student success. Specialists are the link between the school, community, and family. The primary role of an SSS is to be an advocate for all students and a consultant to school staff and parents/guardians on a variety of issues such as attendance, discipline, counseling, residency and crisis support for schools.

In an effort to forge home, school, and community partnerships, the Student Services Specialists serve as liaisons to local and state agencies and other community resources. The Student Services Specialists collaborate with school administrators, teachers, agencies and service providers to coordinate services for families so that the student may achieve the maximum benefit from their educational experience. Our school system is fortunate to have one SSS for each of the county's three areas: Berlin/Ocean City, Snow Hill, and Pocomoke.

Some of the most common functions of the Student Services Specialist include:

Assisting parents / guardians with student enrollment
Counseling / conferencing with individuals and groups
Coordinating education for homeless and kinship care students
Providing assistance in resolving school custody situations
Conducting home visits to promote family involvement
Responding to emergency welfare situations for students and families
Collaborating with classroom teachers
Providing crisis support for schools
Interpreting school and Board of Education policies and procedures for students, families and community
Coordinating home and hospital teaching
Monitoring/supervising home schooling cases
Investigating out-of-county and out-of-district residency issues
Monitoring student attendance and truancy
Arranging or coordinating school meetings with parents
Providing case management for suspended and/or expelled students
Monitoring alternative education placements

Our school system is fortunate to have one SSS for each of the county's three areas: Berlin/Ocean City, Snow Hill, and Pocomoke.

School and Family Connections Facilitator

As the role and need for Student Services continue to increase, so has the need for an additional position; a Family and School Connections Facilitator. This facilitator will provide increased, in-depth and long-term support to students and families.

Other essential duties will include:

Provide intensive educational case management
Develop individual case management plans
Make regular home visits
Coordinate ongoing activities to provide information and support to build on family strengths such as workshops, responding to parents' requests regarding school-related home learning activities, appropriate support homework assistance, school regulations, and testing.