Skip to main content

Arizona Department of Education Facebook Page

Arizona Department of Education LinkedIn Page

Arizona Department of Education Instagram

Arizona Department of Education Twitter

Arizona Department of Education YouTube

mobile menu
Arizona Department of Education Homepage
  • Home
  • Parents
    • Parents & Families
    • Arizona Purple Star School Program
    • Early Childhood & Preschool
    • Empowerment Scholarship Account
    • Military Career Information
    • School Report Cards
    • Transcripts & Test Scores
    • U.S. Senate Youth Scholarship Program
  • Educators & Administrators
    • Academic Standards
    • Accountability
    • Assessment
    • Business & Finance >
      • School Finance
      • State & Federal Grants
      • School Safety
    • Certification & Leadership >
      • Certification & Career
      • Educator Recruitment & Retention
      • Effective Teachers & Leaders (Trainings)
      • Training & Professional Development
    • Post-Secondary Resources
    • Support & Improvement >
      • School Improvement
      • School Support
  • Programs
    • Academic Achievement >
      • Academic Achievement
      • Afterschool & 21st Century Learning Centers
      • Character Education
      • English Learners | OELAS & Migrant Education Program
      • Homeless, Foster Care, & Refugee Programs
      • Title I
    • Adult Education
    • Arizona Purple Star School Program
    • Career & Technical Education
    • Educator Leadership >
      • Charter School Program
      • Effective Teachers & Leaders
      • School Safety
      • School Safety Program
    • Gifted/Advanced Learning >
      • Gifted/Advanced Learning
      • College Credit by Examination
      • Dual Enrollment
      • Gifted Education
    • Health & Nutrition Services
    • Office of Indian Education
    • Special Education
  • About ADE
    • About the Department
    • Accounting & Procurement
    • Contact Us
    • Employment Opportunities
    • News Releases
    • State Board of Education
    • State Board for Charter Schools
    • Submit a Complaint
  • Data & Systems
    • Arizona Digital Educators Library (ADEL)
    • Data Governance
    • Information Technology
    • Public Educator Search
    • School & Student Data
    • School Report Cards
    • Teacher Input Application (TIA)
  • ADEConnect
    • ADEConnect
    • Common Logon
  • Search
  • Home
  • Special Education
  • Contact Exceptional Student Services

Contact Exceptional Student Services

General Contact Information

Mailing Address

1535 W. Jefferson Street, Bin 24, Phoenix, AZ 85007

 

Main Phone and Email

Tel: (602) 542-4013

TDD: (602) 542-1410

Fax: (602) 542-5404

Email: ESS Inbox 

 

Contact ESS Webmaster

Email the ESS Inbox to report a broken link or to make a suggestion for improving the ESS website.

 

Physical Addresses

Phoenix 100 N. 15th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85007 Phoenix Map

Tucson 416 W. Congress, Suite 100, Tucson, AZ 85701 Tucson Map

 

Request Assistance

Raising Special Kids (RSK)

RSK is a nonprofit parent organization that provides support and information for parents of children with a full range of disabilities and health care needs from birth to age 26. Programs are offered at no cost to families and are available in English and Spanish.

Request Assistance

ESS offers Request Assistance, an email inbox that is available for you to submit any of your special education questions for prompt reply. You may email us your questions, and someone will contact you during regular weekday work hours within 24 hours of your posting the question.

Contact Your School's Program Specialist

Program Support and Monitoring program specialists are assigned to each Arizona district and charter school to provide program assistance. Program specialists offer technical assistance and monitor special education programs in school districts and charter schools throughout the state.

Contact Program Areas

Name and EmailTitlePhone Number
Stefanie SharkeyAZ FIND Coordinator(520) 770-3175

Name and EmailTitlePhone Number
Stacy Riccio Director of Academic Achievement & Inclusive Practices(602) 364-2440
CHELSEY BRANHAMProfessional Learning Project Specialist(602) 364-2011
ANISSA MCGOUGHProgram Project Specialist(602) 364-2088
JENIFER FERNANDEZUniversal Deisgn & Inclusive Instruction Professional Learning Specialist(520) 628-6331
CHRISTY HEGEBUSHAutism & Low Incidience Specialist(602) 542-3209
Rob HillikerLead Professional Learning Specialist(520) 638-4295
VacantData Literacy Specialistn/a

Name and EmailTitlePhone Number
Jeff Studer Director of Dispute Resolution(602) 364-4011
Chris Lane Lead Complaint Investigator & Compliance Coordinator(602) 542-3545
Amanada AllenComplaint Investigator(602) 364-2195
NICOLE BARNETTEComplaint Investigator(602) 542-5084
Laura BoeverDispute Resolution Analyst(602) 542-3084
CARRIE MCCULLOCHAlternate Dispute Resolution Specialist(602) 542-7579
JANICE RAKOCZYComplaint Investigator(602) 542-3153
SALLY TULLYComplaint Investigator(602) 364-2453

Name and EmailTitlePhone Number
AANYA MetrakosDirector of Early Childhood Special Education(602) 542-1113
LETICIA CLAMORProgram Project Specialist(602) 542-5586
Tami PhilipsLead Early Childhood Special Education Specialist(602) 542-3183
Erika ArguetaEarly Childhood Special Education Specialist(602) 542-3160
VacantEarly Childhood Special Education Specialistn/a
Lenka Studnicka Early Childhood Special Education Specialist(602) 542-1134
Camille Verdugo Early Childhood Special Education Specialist(602) 542-8747

EmailTitlePhone Number
Candice Trainor Director of Finance(602) 542-3398
VacantProgram Project Specialistpending

Program Management

EmailTitlePhone Number
Tanya RodriguezLead Program Management Specialist(602) 542-4610
CAROL BUSHProgram Management Specialist(602) 542-0709
Nancy Chavarin Program Management Specialist(602) 542-3270
MARIA DURAZOProgram Management Specialist(602) 542-3057
Program Management Inbox n/an/a

ESS Projects

EmailTitlePhone Number
Abby SanchezLead Education Projects Specialist(602) 542-2812
AARON DAYProgram Management Specialist(602) 542-3855
Rocio Munoz Program Management Specialist(602) 542-0610
ESS Projects Inboxn/an/a

Residential and Institutional Vouchers

EmailTitlePhone Number
Laura DeLoachResidential and Institutional Voucher Specialist(602) 364-4014
NOSA MUHSINResidential and Institutional Voucher Specialist(602) 542-1126
Jeff Rhodes Residential and Institutional Voucher Specialist(602) 542-4387
ESS Vouchers Inboxn/an/a

EmailTitlePhone Number
Judy OlaizDirector of Operations(602) 542-7882
ALLYSON HARTProgram Project Specialist (602) 542-4014
LA'THEA NEVILLSOffice Manager(602) 542-4083
ANDY BURTONContent and Accessibility Editor (602) 364-2035
ADAM ZOGUTData Analysis Specialist(602) 542-5080
HEATHER DUNPHYLead Education Program Specialist(602) 542-5584

Data Management

EmailTitlePhone Number
Peggy Staples Lead Data Management Specialist(602) 364-4024
MAILE FAUBIONProgram and Business Liaison (Lead)(602) 542-4195
THERESA FITZPATRICKData Management Specialist(602) 542-3511
DENNIS ROMEROData Management Specialist(602) 542-4120
SHAILAJA VENTRAPRAGADAData Management Specialist(602) 542-0764
ESS DATA MANAGEMENT INBOXn/a(602) 542-3962

ED-P and Private Day Programs

EMAILTITLEPHONE NUMBER
MONICA CASILLASED-P and Approved Private Day Specialist(602) 542-0660
BECKY OLSONED-P and Approved Private Day Specialist(602) 364-4035
ESS PRIVATE DAY ED-P INBOXn/a(602) 364-4016

EmailTitlePhone Number
Tracey Sridharan Director of Professional Learning and Sustainability(602) 364-2066
ERIK KILLONProgram Project Specialist(602) 364-4022
Sherri Schwindt Program Project Specialist(602) 542-4006

Behavior

EmailTitlePhone Number
Celeste Nameth Lead Behavior Specialist(602) 542‐5445
Lauren FriendBehavior/Mental Health Project Coordinator(602) 542-3124


Recruitment and Retention

EmailTitlePhone Number
Kim Rice Lead Specialist for Related Services(602) 771-4299
Mary Keeney Recruitment and Retention Specialist(602) 542-4058

Find your district/charter specialist

EmailTitlePhone Number
Angela Odom Director of Program Support and Monitoring(602) 364-4009
SCOTT DOBKOVSKYDirector of Program Implementation(602) 542-4267
HEIDI PUTNAMDirector of Program Implementation(602) 364-4007
Veronica Reza Program Project Specialist(602) 542-5021
SHAUN STEVENSONLead SSIP Coordinator(602) 542-7072

EmailTitlePhone Number
Sam KleinDirector of Special Projects(520) 770-3363
JOY WOLFGANGProgram Project Specialist(602) 542-0671
ALEX BERGEProgram Project Specialist (602) 364-0043
LIZ MERKLELead Special Projects Specialist(602) 542-8778

Assistive Technology

EmailTitlePhone Number
DOUG CUTLERAssistive Technology Specialist(602) 542-4016
EMILY GAYLORDAssistive Technology Specialist(602) 542-3153
Laura Wooten-LaFranier Assistive Technology Specialist(602) 542-2185

Secondary Transition and Post School Outcomes

EmailTitlePhone Number
Lisa Livesay Lead Secondary Transition Specialist(602) 542-8718
SARAH ALAMSecondary Transition Specialist(602) 542-0661
ELENA PARKERSecondary Transition Specialist(602) 542-3121
NELLY SANCHEZSecondary Transition Specialist(602) 542-2118

EmailTitlePhone Number
Stefanie Sharkey Surrogate Parent Program Coordinator(520) 770-3175

Contact Executive Team

EmailTitlePhone Number
Alissa Trollinger Deputy Associate Superintendent
State Director of Special Education
(602) 542-5446
Chris BrownAssistant State Director of Special Education(602) 542-5446
Bekah ShahanExecutive Assistant(602) 542-5446

EmailTitlePhone Number
Colette Chapman Associate Superintendent(602) 542-7003

Page revised 2/14/25

  • ESS Home
    • About ESS
    • FAQ
    • Contact ESS
    • ESS Site Index
    • Understanding Special Education
    • Disability Categories
  • ESS Blog Updates
  • Special Ed Info for Schools
  • Parents & Families
    • Procedural Safeguards
    • Aviso de las Salvaguardias Procesales
    • Raising Special Kids
  • Conferences
    • IDEA Conference
    • Calendar of Events
  • Public Info
    • SEAP
    • SSIP
    • SPP/APR and Public Data
    • PEA Determinations
    • Significant Disproportionality
  • Quick Links
  • Assessment
  • Assistive Technology
  • AZ FIND/Child Find
  • AZ-TAS Documents
  • Data Management
    • AzEDS SPED Reporting
    • Beginner's Guide
    • Important Dates
    • October 1 Data Collection
    • Special Education Data Dashboard
    • Special Education Data Updates
  • Dispute Resolution
    • Quick Links
    • Dispute Resolution Forms
    • Mediation
    • State Complaint
    • Due Process
    • Facilitated IEP
    • Facilitated IEP Training
    • Resources
    • Laws, Regulations, and Guidance
  • Early Childhood Special Education
  • Secondary Transition
  • Private & Public Programs
    • Private Special Education Schools
    • ED-P Programs
    • Residential Treatment Center Placement
    • Head Starts
    • State Institutions
Contact
  • ESS Reception Desk
  • (602) 542-4013
  • [email protected]
  • Contact the Department
  • Public Comment
  • About Us
  • Locations
  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
  • School Report Cards
  • State Board of Education
  • State Board for Charter Schools
  • Web Accessibility

© 2025 Arizona Department of Education

  • Statewide Policies
  • Site Map