Collaborative for Educational Services

Paraeducators are essential members of the education team. Their professional learning should be, too.

A strong paraeducator training program goes beyond traditional professional development. CES’s approach empowers paraeducators to be learners, leaders, contributors, and creators of professional knowledge.

Through study groups, job-embedded practice, peer teaching, and collaborative resource development, paraeducators build skills they can put into practice right away, while creating resources that strengthen their work for the long term.

Looking to strengthen your paraeducator workforce for the coming school year? CES can help you design a training and coaching program that fits your district’s goals.

Learn more: https://www.collaborative.org/consulting/special-education-consulting/paraeducator-training/

Supporting Students with Non-Compliance: Building Emotional Capacity

How can educators better support students who avoid challenging situations, struggle with emotional regulation, or have difficulty managing uncomfortable emotions?

Join clinical psychologist Alex Hirshberg, Psy.D. for a four-part online series exploring practical, tiered strategies to support students in general education settings. Participants will learn tools for strengthening SEL skills, addressing avoidance, reducing oppositional behavior, teaching replacement behaviors, and using accommodations to build independence.

October 6, October 22, November 19 & January 5
3:30–5:00 p.m. | Online

Register for one session or the full series. Save $25 when you register for all four!

Learn more and register: bit.ly/4xjq3pw

Are you an Elementary or Secondary IEP Team Leader in Massachusetts? Join CES for a 2026–27 Community of Practice designed to give you a space to share challenges, exchange ideas, and learn from other practitioners across districts.

- Share problems of practice and get feedback from colleagues
- Exchange resources and ideas from your district
- Stay up to date on state and federal priorities, research, and best practices
- Participate in practical mini-trainings focused on leading collaborative, compliant IEP teams
- Earn 15 PDPs in Special Education by attending all 9 sessions and logging your attendance

Choose the community that fits your role:

Elementary IEP Team Leader Community of Practice
September 17, 2026–May 20, 2027: Choose from 10:00 a.m. or 12:15 p.m. sessions

Secondary IEP Team Leader Community of Practice
September 18, 2026–May 14, 2027: Choose from 9:15 a.m. or 12:15 p.m. sessions

Both communities meet online via Google Meet once a month for 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Come ready to share your expertise, learn from colleagues, and bring your real-world questions to the table.

Learn more and register:
collaborative.org/professional-development

Why does mental health matter for young children?

In this interview, Desirée P. Lalbeharie, Ed.D., Director of CES’s Early Childhood Department, shares why social-emotional development is so important to young children’s ability to learn and thrive.

“When children are anxious or distracted by stress or trauma they may be experiencing, or have experienced in their lives, then that takes up brain space,” Desirée explains. “So we want to provide nurturing spaces for children where they feel safe.”

Through the EEC Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation program, CES provides consultation services to children, families and early education providers across Berkshire, Hampshire, Hampden and Franklin Counties and parts of Worcester County.

🎥 Hear more from Desirée about the importance of creating safe, nurturing environments where young children can learn and grow. https://bit.ly/4g5SJMy

CES is hiring for multiple early childhood positions supporting young children and families across our communities.

Current openings include:
-ECMH Programs Coordinator
-ECMH Mental Health Consultant (Bilingual Spanish/English)
-ECMH Mental Health Consultant

-CFCE ParentChild+ Early Learning Specialist
-CFCE Bilingual Early Educator
-CFCE Early Childhood Specialist (South Hadley)

If you are passionate about early childhood education, family support, and community-based work, we’d love to hear from you.

Learn more and apply:
https://www.collaborative.org/careers

Supporting students under Section 504 means navigating evolving guidance, complex situations, and important decisions—you don't have to do it alone.

Join the 504 Coordinators Community of Practice and connect with colleagues from across Massachusetts to share challenges, exchange resources, and learn effective, compliant practices for leading 504 teams.

✔️ 15 PDPs (Special Education)
✔️ Monthly online Zoom meetings
✔️ Choose the 10:00 AM or 12:15 PM session each meeting day
✔️ Collaborate with experienced 504 coordinators from districts across the state

Bring your questions, share your expertise, and build a professional network that supports you all year long.

📅 September 15, 2026 – May 18, 2027

Learn more and register: https://www.collaborative.org/event/504-coordinators-community-of-practice/

Ready to earn your SEI Teacher Endorsement?

Our online SEI Teacher Endorsement course prepares Massachusetts educators with the practical strategies and evidence-based practices needed to support multilingual learners while meeting state licensure requirements.

✔️ 67.5 PDPs
✔️ Online synchronous + asynchronous learning
✔️ Graduate credit option through Fitchburg State University
✔️ Qualifies participants to apply for the Massachusetts SEI Endorsement

Choose the session that works best for your schedule:

📅 Fall/Winter 2026–27
September 1, 2026 – January 19, 2027
Register by August 25

📅 Winter/Spring 2026–27
January 26 – June 15, 2027
Register by January 19

Designed for Massachusetts K–12 core academic teachers who need the mandatory SEI Endorsement for licensure.

Reserve your spot today! https://www.collaborative.org/event/sei-teacher-endorsement-full-course/

Youth mental health challenges are more common than many people realize. Would you know how to respond if a young person needed help?

Youth Mental Health First Aid gives adults the knowledge and confidence to recognize signs of mental health and substance use challenges, respond to a crisis, and connect youth with appropriate support.

✔ Learn a practical 5-step action plan
✔ Understand common mental health challenges in adolescents (ages 12–18)
✔ Live online training with 2 hours of self-paced learning completed in advance

📅 August 27, 2026
🕘 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (Online)
📝 Registration deadline: August 20

This course is ideal for educators, school staff, parents, caregivers, youth-serving professionals, and anyone who regularly works with young people.

Interested in bringing this training to your school or district? Contact [email protected] to learn more.

Register today: https://www.collaborative.org/event/youth-mental-health-blended/

We're excited to announce that Dr. Sonia Fields has been named Director of Teaching, Learning, and Innovation for the Collaborative for Educational Services (CES) DYS Education Initiative, effective August 30th.

With more than 30 years of experience in education, including 13 years of leadership at CES, Sonia brings deep expertise in curriculum, instruction, educational equity, and supporting multilingual learners. In her new role, she will lead teaching and learning across the CES DYS Education Initiative, helping ensure curriculum, instruction, Title I services, professional development, and postsecondary services are aligned to support youth in the care and custody of the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services.

We are also grateful to Laura Finn-Heafey for her extraordinary leadership and lasting impact as she prepares for her well-earned retirement. Her work has helped shape a youth-centered education system that empowers educators and creates opportunities for students to thrive.

Read more about Sonia's new role and Laura's legacy: https://bit.ly/45sJtvB

Transition Coordinators: Looking for a space to connect, collaborate, and problem-solve with colleagues across Massachusetts?

Join the Transition Coordinators Community of Practice for the 2026–2027 school year. Meet monthly with peers to share challenges, exchange resources, discuss current state and federal updates, and strengthen your leadership skills in a supportive professional network.

✔ Monthly online sessions (choose 10:00 a.m. or 12:15 p.m.)
✔ Earn 15 Special Education PDPs
✔ Learn from and with fellow Transition Coordinators

Registration is open - reserve your spot today! https://www.collaborative.org/event/transition-coordinators-community-of-practice/