A Student Services Specialist (SSS) is a school psychologist in the elementary school who promotes an understanding of effective teaching and successful learning. School psychologists have specialized training in both psychology and education. Their role in the elementary school is to provide comprehensive services to promote academic success and healthy emotional and social development. The SSS is involved in the development of early interventions and accommodations for students who may be experiencing difficulty academically, emotionally, or socially. They conduct psycho-educational assessments to identify a student's learning strengths, weaknesses and needs and work with the Exceptional Children's staff in identifying children who may need specialized educational services. The SSS provides individual and group counseling to address needs that may be impacting student success in school. The SSS may also use classroom instruction and activities to help children solve problems, learn coping strategies, manage conflict, foster tolerance and develop effective social skills. The SSS may work with parents to develop parenting skills and link them to community resources.

Every elementary school has an SSS, and the larger ones may have an additional part or full time SSS. Parents who have concerns may contact the SSS at their school.