Social Services

WESD is committed to achieving high levels of engagement and learning through a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework that provides academic and behavioral strategies and supports for students with various needs.  Within this framework there are multiple tiers of support illustrated by a triangle.

School Social workers provide a wide array of interventions/services that support the entire student population as well as specific/individual student needs utilizing this Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework. 

• The base of the triangle, Tier 1, refers to what is provided for ALL students.  Tier 1 represents the most proactive and foundational components to addressing the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs of every student, every day.  This may include whole class instruction, school wide programs, common expectations, etc.
• Some students may need additional instruction and support and will receive more focused, targeted small group intervention.  This is considered Tier 2. 
• In Tier 3, individual students receive the most intense instruction and support based on individual students needs, in addition to core and supplemental academic, social, emotional, and behavioral instruction and support.

Amanda Quine

Director of Social Services

As the Director of Social Services, Mrs. Quine  is the clinical supervisor and district liaison for WESD school social workers/counselors and serves as the District liaison for the Federal McKinney-Vento and Fostering Connections programs.  She is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and a certified School Social Worker and certified School Counselor through the Arizona Department of Education. Mrs. Quine has worked in the Washington Elementary School District for over 20 years, as the school-based social worker at Maryland Elementary School and Tumbleweed Elementary School.

Mrs. Quine earned her Master’s degree from Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, Ohio) and has been working with children, youth, and families as a social worker for over 28 years. She is also committed to promoting the integrity of the social work profession by providing educational opportunities through Arizona State University as an online co-instructor in the Master’s level Social Work program and a field instructor and field liaison with the ASU Social Work Field Office.

Aaron Medina

Lead Social Worker

Mr. Medina is a licensed Master’s social worker (LMSW) and a certified School Social Worker through Arizona’s Department of Education. Mr. Medina has worked in the Washington Elementary School District for over 10 years, as the proud school-based social worker at Ocotillo Elementary.

Mr. Medina earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Arizona State University. He specialized in Child Welfare, where he spent time working for the Department of Child Safety. He served as an Academic Associate for Arizona State University’s MSW program for 5 years, where he instructed courses focusing on youth/family engagement, cultural diversity and macro-level practice. Mr. Medina also has a minor in LGBT Studies and is committed to advocating and supporting this community. Mr. Medina also has years of experience in areas such as crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, PBIS, and behavior support. Mr. Medina values empathy, honest communication, teamwork, and most importantly, fun!

Vanessa Anderson

McKinney Vento Liaison

Vanessa Anderson serves as the McKinney-Vento Liaison for the Washington Elementary School District (WESD), where she supports students and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability. She joined the WESD Social Services Department in 2024 and holds a Master’s degree in Human Services from Bellevue University in Nebraska. Vanessa brings a strong background in advocacy, with prior experience  helping clients navigate complex legal systems, access community resources, and build trusting relationships with service providers. This experience sharpened her attention to detail, strengthened her communication skills, and prepared her to manage sensitive cases with professionalism and care—skills that directly inform her work supporting McKinney-Vento students.

In her current role, Vanessa acts as a compassionate and dependable point of contact for families in transition, working closely with school staff, administrators, and community partners to remove barriers to education. She ensures students have access to essential resources and support while maintaining compliance with federal McKinney-Vento requirements. Vanessa is known for her empathetic approach, collaborative mindset, and commitment to educational equity. Her work reflects a deep belief that all students deserve stability, connection, and the opportunity to succeed.

Jolynn Bentsen

Administrative Specialist

Jolynn began her career with the Washington Elementary School District (WESD) in 2007 as a Health Tech at Roadrunner Elementary. She earned her Medical Assistant certificate from Apollo College in 1997 and attended Arizona State University for two years, focusing on coursework related to healthcare and human services. With a strong foundation in both healthcare and education, Jolynn has spent many years dedicated to serving others, bringing compassion, organization, and a service-minded approach to every role she’s held.

In 2023, Jolynn joined the WESD Social Services Department as an Administrative Specialist, where she serves as the primary point of contact for the department. She ensures day-to-day operations run smoothly by managing communication, scheduling, documentation, and supporting program implementation. Jolynn plays a key role in cross-departmental collaboration, oversees department budgets and grants, and maintains the department’s websites and communication tools. Additionally, she supports the McKinney-Vento liaison by coordinating transportation, facilitating access to resources, and helping connect families with the services they need. Her ability to multitask, problem-solve, and build relationships has made her an essential member of the Social Services team.