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Description:
The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is pleased to offer “Supporting Students with Special Needs: Essential Strategies for SROs”.
This training equips School Resource Officers (SROs) with the foundational knowledge and skills to effectively support students with disabilities and special needs in K-12 environments. Participants will explore the disability categories recognized under IDEA and Section 504, learn to identify key characteristics associated with various disabilities—including Specific Learning Disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Emotional Disabilities, and Other Health Impairments—and practice strategies for fostering positive, supportive interactions. Through this training, SROs will better understand that behavior is a form of communication and will gain techniques for improving communication, avoiding escalation, and building trust with all students. Practical tools and real-world examples will be integrated to promote a more inclusive and trauma-informed approach to school safety and student engagement.
Key Objectives:
- Define and recognize various disability categories and characteristics.
- Understand the impact of disabilities on student behavior and communication.
- Apply effective strategies for de-escalation, communication, and support.
- Access and collaborate with in-school support resources.
Who Should Attend?
School resource officers and any law enforcement officer who regularly works with students in a school or campus setting.
Partial In-service Credit:
At this time, no PIC will be offered for this training.
Travel, Lodging, and Meals:
N/A
Cost and Registration:
There is no registration fee to attend this training.
Pre-registration is required.
Please note that the DCJS registration system does not have the capacity to sort eligible from ineligible registrants. Therefore, anyone who registers will receive confirmation. It is the responsibility of the DCJS assigned course director to review the roster and make a final determination on acceptance into the course. Registrants not accepted will be notified via the email address provided during registration.