Office of School Health

Occupational Therapy - Physical Therapy

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) identifies occupational and physical therapy as related services for eligible children ages 3-21 years who require assistance to benefit from a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment.

The Directors of Occupational and Physical Therapy, working under the Office of Related and Contractual Services (ORCS), work in conjunction with the Integrated Service Centers (ISCs) in the development of policy and guidelines for the OT/PT Program. ORCS also provides professional development for ISC OT/PT Supervisors and ISC OT/PT Staff; manages the OT/PT Scholarship Program, and; monitors and maintains the Registry of Independent OT/PT Providers.

Each ISC has OT and PT Supervisors that oversee the day to day activities of the OT/PT Staff. OT and PT Supervisors provide clinical and administrative support to the occupational and physical therapists, and work closely with schools in matters of therapist assignment and compliance.

Click here for Roles of Occupational and Physical Therapists in the Educational Model.

Key Points of Information:

School based OT and PT services are special education services and may be recommended for a student who first qualifies for special education services.
A doctor’s referral is required to add OT or PT service on a student’s IEP.
OT/PT providers can provide services to students on an individual, group or consultative basis, as mandated on the IEP.
OT/PT providers can provide professional development and training to school staff on related topics, such as performance of safe transfers, classroom exercise programs, etc.
DOE utilizes a three tier system of OT/PT service provision: (1) DOE provider, if available; (2) Agency provider, if no DOE therapist is available; or (3) Related Service Authorization, when neither DOE nor Agency therapist can provide services.
A DOE OT or PT provider is responsible for performing evaluations of students in their assigned schools.
Prior to an evaluation, it is best that a DOE provider (present in the school) screen a student who is showing gross and fine motor issues that is affecting his/her schooling, and provide strategies that a teacher can implement.

The New York City Department of Education is always looking for licensed Occupational and Physical Therapists. If you are interested to apply, please contact the Office of Related and Contractual Services at (212) 374-6097.

Suzanne Sanchez, Director of Occupational Therapy
49-51 Chambers Street
Room 600
New York, NY 10007
Phone 212-374-7606
Fax 212-374-9435
SSanchez8@schools.nyc.gov

Carlo Vialu, Director of Physical Therapy
49-51 Chambers Street
Room 600
New York, NY 10007
Phone 212-374-2143
Fax 212-374-9435
CVialu@schools.nyc.gov

About Us Academics Choices & Enrollment Schools in the Community Offices & Programs Office of School Health Rules & Policies Student Support, Safety, and Activities Student Performance & Accountability	Office of School Health E-mail to a friend Occupational Therapy - Physical Therapy The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) identifies occupational and physical therapy as related services for eligible children ages 3-21 years who require assistance to benefit from a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. The Directors of Occupational and Physical Therapy, working under the Office of Related and Contractual Services (ORCS), work in conjunction with the Integrated Service Centers (ISCs) in the development of policy and guidelines for the OT/PT Program. ORCS also provides professional development for ISC OT/PT Supervisors and ISC OT/PT Staff; manages the OT/PT Scholarship Program, and; monitors and maintains the Registry of Independent OT/PT Providers. Each ISC has OT and PT Supervisors that oversee the day to day activities of the OT/PT Staff. OT and PT Supervisors provide clinical and administrative support to the occupational and physical therapists, and work closely with schools in matters of therapist assignment and compliance. Click here for Roles of Occupational and Physical Therapists in the Educational Model. Key Points of Information: School based OT and PT services are special education services and may be recommended for a student who first qualifies for special education services. A doctor’s referral is required to add OT or PT service on a student’s IEP. OT/PT providers can provide services to students on an individual, group or consultative basis, as mandated on the IEP. OT/PT providers can provide professional development and training to school staff on related topics, such as performance of safe transfers, classroom exercise programs, etc. DOE utilizes a three tier system of OT/PT service provision: (1) DOE provider, if available; (2) Agency provider, if no DOE therapist is available; or (3) Related Service Authorization, when neither DOE nor Agency therapist can provide services. A DOE OT or PT provider is responsible for performing evaluations of students in their assigned schools. Prior to an evaluation, it is best that a DOE provider (present in the school) screen a student who is showing gross and fine motor issues that is affecting his/her schooling, and provide strategies that a teacher can implement. The New York City Department of Education is always looking for licensed Occupational and Physical Therapists. If you are interested to apply, please contact the Office of Related and Contractual Services at (212) 374-6097. Suzanne Sanchez, Director of Occupational Therapy 49-51 Chambers Street Room 600 New York, NY 10007 Phone 212-374-7606 Fax 212-374-9435 SSanchez8@schools.nyc.gov Carlo Vialu, Director of Physical Therapy 49-51 Chambers Street Room 600 New York, NY 10007 Phone 212-374-2143 Fax 212-374-9435 CVialu@schools.nyc.gov	Contacts Roger Platt, MD, Chief Executive Officer 2 Lafayette St., 22nd Floor CN25 New York, NY 10007 212-442-3357 RPlatt2@schools.nyc.gov Oxiris Barbot, MD, Medical Director 233 Broadway, 26th Floor New York, NY 10279 212-442-1554 OBarbot@schools.nyc.gov Carole Marchese, RN, Director, School Nursing 233 Broadway, 26th Floor New York, NY 10279 212-442-1555 CMarche@schools.nyc.gov Ava Mopper, Director, Office of Related and Contractual Services 49-51 Chambers Street, Room 600 New York, NY 10007 212-374-2317 AMopper@schools.nyc.gov