About
Why Education Design & Management
Schools are seeing an unprecedented rise in students whose mental health needs exceed the services of traditional school-based supports. In 2023, the CDC released a report, based on their Youth Risk Survey, that stated that "4 of 10 students had persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness, and 2 of 10 students seriously considered attempting suicide, and nearly 1 of 10 attempted suicide". Experience indicates that when emotional regulation interventions are implemented through a systemic, level-based framework, schools can provide evidence-informed programs to ensure the emotional well-being of students.
Education Design & Management was created to help schools and organizations respond more effectively to students with complex mental health needs. The firm brings together special education leadership, therapeutic program experience, operational planning knowledge, and practical implementation support.
We work with school districts, private schools, special education programs, behavioral health providers, and community partners who need thoughtful, realistic solutions for high-risk student support challenges.
Our Philosophy
Students thrive when the schools they attend have the structure, staffing, training, and confidence to consistently meet their needs. Strong therapeutic education programs are not built on isolated interventions. They depend on aligned leadership, clear expectations, integrated supports, and a staff that understands both the students, their families, and the system.
Leadership
Jeff Kahn, M.S. President and Principal Consultant of Education Design & Management, has spent more than 50 years helping schools, districts, special education programs, behavioral health organizations, and families better support students with complex emotional, behavioral, and learning needs.
My approach starts with a simple idea: when people feel supported and have a clear plan, even very challenging situations can begin to change. Through ED&M, I work alongside teams to understand what is already going well, what may be getting in the way, and what practical steps can help students, classrooms, programs, and school communities move forward.
My experience includes building and leading special education schools, creating school-wide behavioral support systems, training educators, and advising program leaders. In every setting, I bring patience, perspective, and a steady focus on solutions that are compassionate, realistic, and useful in day-to-day practice.
At Education Design & Management, my goal is to help schools create clearer, calmer, and more effective systems of support so students are better understood, staff feel more confident, and families feel more hopeful about the path ahead.