Bloomfield School Director Appointed To NJ Special Ed. Council

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of a Patch community member. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here.

Viviana Litovsky, Ph.D., Executive Director of Westbridge Academy, has been appointed to serve as a member of the New Jersey State Special Education Advisory Council (SSEAC) having an impact on the future of special education policy in the state of New Jersey.

Every two years, the Commissioner of Education appoints individuals to serve on the SSEAC, with the approval of the State Board. The purpose of the advisory council is to provide guidance on special education and related services, and to advise the Commissioner of Education on the unmet educational needs of pupils with disabilities within the state. Council members provide policy guidance with respect to special education and related services for children with disabilities, and are responsible for identifying changes needed to promote improved outcomes for these students.

Dr. Litovsky brings decades of experience, dedication, and insight to the SSEAC. A licensed psychologist, she has held a leadership role at Westbridge Academy since 1981, and has served as the school’s Executive Director for over 17 years, setting high standards for students and faculty. She holds a doctorate degree in School/Community Psychology from Syracuse University and two Master’s degrees, one in Administration and Supervision, and the other in School Psychology.

“As a leader in the special education community, Dr. Litovsky continually seeks to improve programs and services to benefit students and families. I am confident she will bring the same commitment to the Council and will help more students and families receive the best in evidence-based practices,” said Gerard Thiers, Executive Director of ASAH, a statewide organization that advocates for students with complex disabilities.

As a member of the SSEAC, Dr. Litovsky will join other educators, parents, and professionals who have volunteered to serve. Past members include leaders from the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN), Family Support Center of New Jersey, Autism New Jersey, Special Olympics New Jersey and Bloomfield College, to name a few.

Westbridge Academy, located at 60 West Street in Bloomfield, is a New Jersey state-approved special education school specializing in serving students in grades K-12 with emotional, behavioral and learning challenges. The school offers individualized academics with therapeutic supports and a 6:1 student to teacher ratio. Students, ages 5-21, from Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic Somerset and Union Counties are placed by their local school district and attend at no cost to parents. For more information please visit: Westbridge Academy or call 973-429-8110.

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