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
Flagstaff 1701 N. 4th Street Flagstaff, AZ 86004 Flagstaff Map
Request Assistance
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.
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 Email | Title | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Stefanie Sharkey | AZ FIND Coordinator | (520-770-3175) |
| Name and Email | Title | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Stacy Riccio | Director of Academic Achievement & Inclusive Practices | (602) 364-2440 |
| CHELSEY BRANHAM | Professional Learning Project Specialist | (602) 364-2011 |
| ANISSA MCGOUGH | Academic Achievement & Inclusive Practices Project Specialist | (602) 364-2088 |
Literacy and Math
| Title | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|
| Rob Hilliker | Math Specialist | (520) 638-4295 |
| Jenifer Hutchinson | Math Specialist | (520) 628-6331 |
| Paige Morgan | Data Literacy |
| Name and Email | Title | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Jeff Studer | Director of Dispute Resolution | (602) 364-4011 |
| Laura Boever | Dispute Resolution Analyst | (602) 542-3084 |
| Chris Lane | Complaint Investigator/Compliance Coordinator | (602) 542-3545 |
| Amanada Allen | Complaint Investigator | (602) 364-2195 |
| Bethany Brown | Complaint Investigator | (602) 364-2447 |
| SALLY TULLY | Complaint Investigator | (602) 364-2453 |
| CARRIE MCCULLOCH | Alternate Dispute Resolution Specialist | (602) 542-7579 |
| Name and Email | Title | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| AANYA Metrakos | Director of ECSE | (602) 542-1113 |
| Camille Verdugo | Project Specialist | (602) 542-8747 |
| Erika Argueta | Early Childhood Special Education Specialist | (602) 542-3160 |
| KATHY EUSTACE | Early Childhood Special Education Specialist | (602) 364-1948 |
| Tami Philips | Early Childhood Special Education Specialist | (602) 542-3183 |
| Lenka Studnicka | Early Childhood Special Education Specialist | (602) 542-1134 |
| Title | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|
| Candice Trainor | Director of Operational Management | (602) 542-3398 |
| Vacant | Administrative Support | pending |
Program Management
| Title | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|
| Vacant | Lead Program Management Specialist | pending |
| Nancy Chavarin | Program Management Specialist | (602) 542-3270 |
| Tanya Rodriguez | Program Management Specialist | (602) 542-4610 |
| Program Management Inbox | n/a | n/a |
ESS Projects
| Title | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|
| Vacant | Lead Projects Specialist | pending |
| Rocio Munoz | Program Management Specialist | (602) 542-0610 |
| Abby Sanchez | Program Management Specialist | (602) 364-3026 |
| ESS Projects Inbox | n/a | n/a |
Residential and Institutional Vouchers
| Title | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|
| Eva Martinez Cruz | Residential and Institutional Voucher Specialist | (602) 542-4831 |
| Laura DeLoach | Residential and Institutional Voucher Specialist | (602) 364-4014 |
| Jeff Rhodes | Residential and Institutional Voucher Specialist | (602) 542-4387 |
| ESS Vouchers Inbox | n/a | n/a |
| Title | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|
| Judy Olaiz | Director of Operational Support | (602) 542-7882 |
| Vacant | Administrative Support | pending |
| LaThea Nevills | Office Manager | (602) 542-4083 |
| Vacant | Compliance and Process Specialist | (928) 637-1880 |
| Monica Casillas | ED-P and Approved Private Day Specialist | (602) 364-4016 |
| Heather Dunphy | SPP/APR Coordinator | (602) 542-5584 |
Data Management
| Title | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|
| Peggy Staples | Lead Data Management Specialist | (602) 364-4024 |
| Maria Durazo | Data Management Specialist | (602) 542-3057 |
| Bekah McLeod | Data Management Specialist | 602-542-4806 |
| Kristin Merritt | Data Management Specialist | (602) 542-4195 |
| Adam Zogut | Data Management Specialist | (602) 542-5080 |
| Title | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracey Sridharan | Director of Professional Learning and Sustainability | (602) 364-2066 |
| Sherri Schwindt | Program Project Specialist | (602) 542-4006 |
Behavior
| Title | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|
| Celeste Nameth | Multi-Tiered Behavior Supports Specialist | (602) 542‐5445 |
| Lauren Friend | Behavior/Mental Health Project Coordinator | (602) 542-3124 |
Recruitment and Retention
| Title | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|
| Kim Rice | Lead Recruitment and Retention Specialist | (602) 771-4299 |
| Mary Keeney | Recruitment and Retention Specialist | (602) 542-4058 |
Find your district/charter specialist
| Title | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|
| Angela Odom | Director of Program Support and Monitoring | (602) 364-4009 |
| Veronica Reza | Program Project Specialist | (602) 542-5021 |
| Michelle Grigsby | Secure Care Specialist | (602) 364-3032 |
| Title | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|
| Sam Klein | Director of Special Projects | (520) 770-3363 |
| Vacant | Administrative Support | pending |
| Sam Klein | Special Projects Lead Specialist | (520) 770-3363 |
| Christy Hegebush | Autism and Low Incidence Specialist | (602) 542-3209 |
Assistive Technology
| Title | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|
| Mary Keeney | Assistive Technology Specialist | (602) 542-4058 |
| Laura Wooten-LaFranier | Assistive Technology Specialist | (602) 542-2185 |
Secondary Transition and Post School Outcomes
| Title | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|
| Lisa Livesay | Secondary Transition Specialist | (602) 542-8718 |
| Liz Merkle | Secondary Transition Specialist | (602) 542-8778 |
| Title | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|
| Stefanie Sharkey | Surrogate Parent Program Coordinator | (520) 770-3175 |
Contact Executive Team
| Title | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|
| Alissa Trollinger | Deputy Associate Superintendent State Director of Special Education | (602) 542-5446 |
| Chris Brown | Assistant State Director of Special Education | (602) 542-5446 |
| Bekah Shahan | Executive Assistant | (602) 542-5446 |
| Title | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|
| Colette Chapman | Associate Superintendent | (602) 542-7003 |
| Executive Assistant |
Page revised 6/5/23
