Relationship Managers play a central role in how Epic Special Education Staffing supports both the professionals in the field and the school districts they serve. They are the steady point of contact, the problem solvers, and the people making sure day-to-day details never distract from student care.
Amanda Hare, Manager of Relationship Management, and Molly Hanson, Senior Relationship Manager, help lead this work, and in this article they share what that support looks like in practice. Their perspective also reflects the evolution from the traditional account management model to a relationship focused approach, one designed to provide deeper partnership, faster solutions, and a more consistent experience from the first day of an assignment to the last.
The Relationship Manager: Coach, Collaborator, and Problem-Solver
At their core, Relationship Managers are partners. They’re the steady voice on the phone, the problem-solver when things feel overwhelming, the sounding board when you need to talk, and the biggest cheerleader when a student breakthrough happens.
Relationship Managers guide therapists through the realities of school-based work, offer feedback, brainstorm solutions, and help navigate the moving pieces of special education. They also collaborate closely with districts to maintain clear communication, align expectations, and proactively consult on staffing strategies that effectively meet student needs – all with one priority: delivering high-quality, consistent services to students.
Support isn’t one-size-fits-all. Each district and therapist is different, so Relationship Managers tailor their approach – coaching on time management, troubleshooting caseloads, or developing strategic solutions when resources are limited.
It’s not just about checking in. It’s about showing up – consistently, thoughtfully, and with the bigger picture in mind.
A Day in the Life: Constant Communication, Constant Collaboration
There’s no such thing as a predictable day in relationship management, and that’s part of what makes the role so impactful.
Amanda and Molly described being in near-constant communication with therapists, districts, and internal team members. Through proactive, year-round planning, they focus on driving success in the current school year while also preparing for the next. They partner with districts to anticipate staffing needs and collaborate with clinicians and therapists to understand their future plans, ensuring everyone is strategically positioned for success in both present and future roles.
But even the best-laid plans can change in an instant.
A district may call needing urgent support. A therapist may need help navigating an unexpected challenge. Just like the educators they support, Relationship Managers operate in a dynamic environment where flexibility is key.
Navigating Today’s Challenges in Special Education
Special education comes with real pressures: tight district budgets, growing caseloads, and the constant challenge of finding qualified staff. Many therapists and educators even pay out of pocket for materials to ensure students get the resources they need.
Amanda and Molly addressed these realities head-on during the live session, highlighting how Epic Special Education Staffing helps lighten the load.
- That support starts with consistency. Relationship Managers provide ongoing coaching in areas like professionalism, time management, and behavior strategies – not as a one-time training, but as a continuous partnership. Regular check-ins create space to talk through challenges before they become overwhelming.
- There’s also tangible support. Therapists who have been on assignment for at least 90 days are eligible for material reimbursement and CEU assistance – a benefit that extends beyond teachers and therapists to include paraprofessionals as well. In a field where many professionals personally absorb classroom costs, that kind of investment matters. It’s a way of saying: We see what you’re doing, and we’re backing you up.
- And when caseloads feel especially heavy, the circle of support widens. Clinical Managers collaborate with Relationship Managers to develop creative, compliant solutions that protect both service quality and therapist well-being. Districts receive strategic guidance. Therapists gain practical strategies. Students maintain continuity of care.
When It’s All Hands on Deck: Tackling an IEP Challenge
During the live session, Molly shared a standout moment: a district struggling to catch up on IEP compliance with just 30 days to meet the deadline.
It was all hands on deck. Relationship Managers, Clinical Managers (including Layla from Episode 1), district leaders, and therapists worked closely together, with clear roles and a single goal: student success.
The result? The team ensured that the district met the tight IEP deadline, students’ services stayed on track, and compliance issues were avoided – a huge win for all!
For Molly, this wasn’t just a win on paper. It was a perfect example of why Relationship Managers exist. When challenges arise, they don’t wait on the sidelines. They jump in, roll up their sleeves, and help facilitate collaborative, win-win solutions that prioritize student outcomes.
The Power of Communication and Flexibility
For therapists working with a Relationship Manager for the first time, Amanda and Molly offered simple but powerful advice: communicate openly and often.
Use us. Call us. Celebrate with us. Problem-solve with us.
The collaboration only works when there’s trust and transparency. Feedback flows both ways, helping districts refine systems and helping therapists adjust where needed.
For those transitioning from direct district employment into a contract role, flexibility is equally important. Unexpected changes can happen. But with flexibility comes growth, impact, and often, deeper professional fulfillment.
And through it all, therapists aren’t navigating alone.
Epic Special Education Staffing: Consistent Support, Results That Matter
In many staffing models, support fades after onboarding, leaving therapists to navigate challenges on their own. Amanda and Molly emphasized that Epic Special Education Staffing takes a very different approach.
Relationship Managers stay connected from day one through the end of an assignment – and often beyond. They celebrate wins, troubleshoot frustrations, and monitor trends like attendance to help ensure students experience consistent, high-quality services. They act as a bridge between therapists and districts, facilitating open, honest communication that strengthens collaboration and builds trust.
A clinician’s review shared during the live session captured this perfectly: their Clinical Manager provided structured learning and field-specific resources, while their Relationship Manager offered thoughtful, caring support “related to any and every topic” – always just a phone call away. Even a live viewer commented that Epic Special Education Staffing was the first agency where she truly felt seen and cared for.
This level of support isn’t accidental. It’s intentional. It’s the kind of partnership that lets therapists focus on what matters most: their students.
The Relationship Managers Making a Difference Beyond the Classroom
Strong outcomes for students are built on consistent partnership, clear communication, and support that reaches well beyond the classroom. Relationship Managers like Amanda and Molly make sure clinicians feel supported, informed, and ready to succeed from their very first day, and that schools can rely on a responsive partner every step of the way.
Stay tuned for future installments of Beyond the Classroom, an Instagram Live series that spotlights the people who make special education staffing stronger together. And be sure to follow @epicspecialeducationstaffing on Instagram so you don’t miss the next live conversation.
Interested in learning more about how Relationship Managers at Epic Special Education Staffing can help you with your next school year contract or hiring for your district? Get in touch with us today to start the conversation!
About Amanda
Amanda Hare, BCBA, LSSW, is the Manager of the Relationship Management Team with Epic Special Education Staffing and an Academic Associate with Arizona State University. With experience as a BCBA in both private in-home and public school district settings, as well as a background in social work and counseling, Amanda brings a well-rounded perspective to supporting students ages 2–21 with diverse needs. In her leadership role, she partners closely with contract clinicians nationwide to provide guidance, problem-solving support, and collaboration with school teams to ensure clinicians feel confident, connected, and equipped to succeed in their placements. She is passionate about mentoring professionals, strengthening clinical skills, and empowering clinicians to deliver effective, student-centered services. Outside of work, Amanda is a proud wife and mother of two who she enjoys cheering on at their volleyball and soccer games.
About Molly
Molly Hanson is a Senior Relationship Manager at Epic Special Education Staffing, bringing over 20 years of experience in the staffing industry, including recruiting, business development, account management, and serving as a Branch Manager and a Market Manager — expertise she draws on in her 4+ years in Relationship Management at Epic. Passionate about supporting districts and clinicians, she is a true partner, providing therapists, clinicians, and districts with thoughtful guidance, resources, and support to ensure students receive the services they need. She collaborates closely with districts, therapists, and clinicians to advise on creative solutions and help implement the staffing and support necessary to achieve their goals. In her free time, she enjoys camping with her husband and their Labrador, off-road adventures on their side-by-side, traveling, reading, and spending time with loved ones — experiences that reflect her love for exploration, shared experiences, and meaningful relationships.
