For schools & districts
Short on special-ed support staff? We can help you fill the gap.
Many Illinois districts are below the state average for school psychologists, social workers, OTs, PTs, SLPs and BCBAs — and the shortage falls hardest on students with IEPs. PedsList already holds the state's verified directory of these providers. We connect understaffed schools and districts with vetted professionals who are ready to support your students, on contract or referral.
School psychologists
Social workers
OT / PT
Speech (SLP)
BCBAs
School nurses
Want us to match your district directly to providers? Tell us what you need and we'll do the legwork — we're standing up the intake now.
For parents: how to advocate for more support staff
If your district's scorecard shows below-average support staffing, that affects how quickly your child gets evaluations and services. It is a fair, concrete thing to raise — here is how:
- Bring it to the IEP meeting. Ask, on the record, whether staffing levels are delaying your child's evaluations or related services (speech, OT, PT, counseling).
- Put requests in writing. A short email to the case manager or special-education director creates a timeline and a record.
- Cite the data. Point to this district's support-staff ratio versus the Illinois average — it's a public number, linked on the scorecard.
- Raise it at the school board. Staffing is a budget decision boards make; public comment from families moves it.
- Get help. A special-education advocate or parent-training center can come with you — see the district's due-process summary for what disputes commonly involve.