As a Director, it is my privilege to work along side with one of the finest child study teams in our state.

As a consortium/shared services provider our team serves the Hopewell Crest School including Shiloh students,  Downe Township Elementary School, and the Morris Goodwin School in Greenwich. Some of our duties include getting involved in pre-referral interventions, I&RS, 504, special education referrals, evaluations, and placement of special needs children. We continually offer consultation and in-service to teachers and administration on educational and mental health issues. Our office coordinates all special education and related services such as Speech/Language, Occupational Therapy, and Physical therapy.

Our group of professionals includes a full-time Learning Disabilities-Teacher Consultant (LDTC), Ms. Kathy Sawamura, a full-time Social Worker, Mrs. Erin Wang, a School Psychologist/CST Director (that would be me) along side with our School Psychologist/ intern this year, Ms. Lindsay Reed.  In our preschool team, we also work along side with Mrs. Jayme Bickings (Hopewell), Mrs. Beth McClain (Greenwich), and Mrs. Dolores Satchwell (Downe) Speech/Language Specialists. Primordially, we have a wonderful secretary who keeps us organized in our office and on top of our game, Mrs. Elsie Pritchett.

Our team is extremely knowledgeable of the rules and regulations in special education. If you would like a primer in special education law in New Jersey, be sure to visit the School's website www.hopewellcrest.org  under the Child Study Team tab for an updated copy of the Procedural Safeguard booklet (also known as the PRISE (Parents Rights in Special Education) booklet) that contains information about the special education process

About the Director

Mr. Cifuentes serves as Child Study Team Director and school psychologist for Hopewell, Downe and the Morris Goodwin School.

He started his career in mental health in 1986 as a psychotherapist at the Cumberland County Guidance Center. He also worked as a crisis therapist at the local area hospitals.  Mr. Cifuentes has been a school psychologist for 17 years and has supervised several special education programs including preschool and alternative programs.

He has served the community as a Past-President of the New Jersey Association of School Psychologists (NJASP) and currently serves as chair of the Multicultural Affairs Committee in that organization.

Mr. Cifuentes' educational background includes a BA, MA and Ed.S degrees from Rowan University. He is also a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP).