The Behavior Disorders Service Coordinator: A 'Bottom-Up' Model to Providing Related Services.

This paper presents a model for integrating the myriad services needed by behavior disordered students. In this model, the role of the behavior disorders service coordinator is orchestrating all services within the school and community to facilitate successful remediation of behavior problems and successful transition into family life, community life, and the workplace. A school-based person has been chosen as coordinator because the school is the only agency that sees the student daily. The service coordinator acts as a full time case manager who meets daily with each student and makes arrangements for all needed services. The coordinator also is responsible for ensuring that the student's individual educational program is consistent with his/her needs and for locating and arranging specific services from non-school agencies. In this latter role, the coordinator acts as advocate for the student and for the student's parents. The service coordinator may also assist older troubled students in their search for employment. Small schools might implement this model by having a person such as a resource teacher work half or quarter time in the coordinator role. Competencies and personal characteristics of the service coordinator are listed. (SV)