The office supports the positive development of K-12 students, with a focus on health, behavior, school culture and climate, and social-emotional skills. The office produces reports and provides guidance, web resources, professional development and technical assistance to educators. These efforts promote positive student expectations and conduct, safe and supportive learning environments, healthy life choices, student engagement, attendance, and the development of social skills and competencies. The office provides leadership through regulations and responds to concerns in the following areas: student conduct, including substance abuse, violence, bullying, truancy, and other risky behavior; school safety, including law enforcement operations; school health services and student health; afterschool and summer programs; alternative education programs; home or out-of-school instruction and the education of neglected and delinquent youth and students in state facilities.

Federally-funded grant programs administered include: Title I, Part D, Neglected and Delinquent; 21st Century Community Learning Centers; and a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct the biennial New Jersey Student Health Survey and School Health Profiles Survey. The OSSS oversees the State Facilities Education Act which supports educational programs for youth residing in state facilities. The mission of the office is advanced through strong collaborative partnerships established with the following: Departments of Health, Children and Families, Human Services, Law and Public Safety, and Corrections; the Juvenile Justice Commission; the Administrative Office of the Courts; state advisory boards and commissions; and institutions of higher education.