VTSS

Dr. LaPolla is the author of Building and Sustaining MTSS Teams in Schools: Collaborative Action Steps for Leaders, Teachers and Mental Health Practitioners and a recognized leader in the design and implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS). She has spent her career advocating for prevention-based, universal strategies that strengthen core instruction while ensuring responsive, data-informed interventions for students with more intensive needs.

Currently, Dr. LaPolla serves as a district leader in Loudoun County Public Schools in Virginia, a large and diverse district supporting over 84,000 learners. In this role, she partners with educators and leadership teams to build coherent systems that integrate academic, behavioral, and social-emotional supports.

Stefanie will be hosting the second of a MTSS webinar series on April 22nd from 6:00-6:30 PM EST. This second webinar will focus on MTSS and School Improvement and discuss practical ways to align practices within plans for continuous improvement.

https://lnkd.in/eMkg5vBb

Loudoun County Public Schools has been implementing PBIS since 2007 but formalized it as MTSS in 2016 and currently supports PBIS, SEL, RTI in 102 schools as well as an Elementary Behavioral Model with Behavior Resource Teachers. She also oversees the implementation of the division wide platform for managing student interventions.

We're proud to announce officially announce the dates and title for this year's annual MTSS for Student Success conference!

Join us October 27-29th for "Sustainable Systems for Connecting School Communities"!

This year we've added one smaller day of preconference sessions on October 27th before our usual two days of full blown conference October 28th and 29th!

Be on the lookout here for more details as they get announced and don't forget to mark your calendars!

Get ready! This fall we're coming back with our MTSS for Student Success mental health conference. Follow us here as more details get finalized and announced!

Learning to Listen: Moving from Control and Power to Trust and Empowerment
Home and Community PBS Webinar - March 25, 2026 at 1PM EST

In this honest and powerful session, Ty Day and his mother, Aimee, will describe how using person centered and positive supports helped TY move from restraint and exclusion to trust and inclusion. BCBA CEUs available.

Register here - https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BCjKQpeVQtyF71SWwYczGg #/registration

Due to weather and school closures we're canceling today's ISA information session, but next week is still planned!

We are reaching out to share an exciting opportunity. The VTSS-RIC and the Virginia Department of Education are hosting the 4th annual Implementation Science Academy (ISA) during the 2026-2027 school year for existing divisions.

While Implementation Science can be applied to any and all work done in your division, this series is framed through the lens of high-leverage and evidence-based practices to support students with disabilities. We are excited to share a link to a promotional video (https://vimeo.com/1018083040/acb6bb481d?share=copy ) created during cohort 1 of ISA, where you can hear from actual participants.

If you would like to hear more about ISA from facilitators and past participants, please feel free to join us at one of our online informational sessions held on Zoom:

Tuesday, March 24th, 11:30 - 12:15 (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86309963890?pwd=G25leh3lgJ2NIhJQbDFG4Lm6cm74Gc.1 )

If you are unable to attend a session but still have questions, please feel free to reach out to your VTSS coach, Dr. Jodie Soracco (VTSS Director), or Dr. Erin Sturgis (VDOE Project Specialist).

When you are ready to indicate your interest in participating in ISA during the 2026-2027 school year, please have your Division Coach complete this brief form by Friday, March 27, 2026. All divisions that express interest using this form (https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=qeUKYsFOoE-GQV2fOGxzCbo8Ymy109dBnGSbu-c_SpVUNU1VT0RKRjZRMkxKU0MyNjdSSzJJRlE0Ri4u ) will be notified of their status by the end of April.

Dr. LaPolla is the author of Building and Sustaining MTSS Teams in Schools: Collaborative Action Steps for Leaders, Teachers and Mental Health Practitioners and a recognized leader in the design and implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS). She has spent her career advocating for prevention-based, universal strategies that strengthen core instruction while ensuring responsive, data-informed interventions for students with more intensive needs.

Stefanie will be hosting the first of an MTSS webinar series on Tuesday, March 3rd from 6:00-7:00 PM EST. This first webinar will focus on defining a Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports and discuss common terminology associated with the framework.

LinkedIn This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

Some candid shots of our Implementation Science Academy attendees working on their practice profiles and networking with each other across divisions

Discover how authentic family partnerships can transform your MTSS work and elevate student success. Join us virtually on February 19 from 9AM to 12PM for Exploring the Key Role of Family Partnerships with MTSS Teams, a dynamic professional learning event hosted by Virginia Tiered Systems of Supports. Designed for systems coaches, division leaders, schools teams, and family partners, this sessions offers practical strategies, research-based insights, and real-world tools to deepen collaboration and build inclusive, culturally responsive school communities. Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your impact.

Join us virtually to learn high-impact practices that strengthen family/school partnerships and improve student outcomes. Informed by research and lessons from the VTSS/FFF Family Engagement Partnership, this event will equip systems coaches and leaders to build authentic engagement at division and school levels.

What to Expect
-Practice strategies from VTSS divisions using family voice
-Tools to develop knowledge, skills, and abilities for effective partnerships
-Research-based insights on how family engagement transforms school culture

Who Should Attend
Systems coaches, division leaders, school teams, and family partners ready to deeper their knowledge, skills, and abilities to foster meaningful collaboration at every level.

Exploring the Key Role of Family Partnerships with MTSS Teams This virtual VTSS event will be held on February 19 from 9:00 - 12:00

Some quick highlights of our 2024-25 Academic Year work

We’re excited to share insights from our MTSS for Student Success: Pathways to Integrated School Mental Wellness conference. A huge thank-you to every attendee, presenter, practitioner, and educator from across the state. Your dedication is helping strengthen mental wellness supports for each and every student.

We're kicking off of our annual MTSS for Student Success conference and so excited to have a packed building! Big thanks to everyone for attending, all of our volunteers for making an early morning happen, and our opening keynote speaker, Dr. Brittany Patterson!