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Early Childhood Special Education
Early childhood special education services are provided to children, ages birth to kindergarten, who meet one or more criteria established by the Minnesota Department of Education. Children are identified through a multi-disciplinary evaluation process. Disability areas include autism spectrum disorder, hearing impairment, developmental delay, developmental cognitive disabilities, emotional or behavioral disorder, physical impairment, speech/language impairment, visual impairment, and delays resulting from traumatic brain injuries or other health impairment.
How do I start the screening process? Early childhood screening is required for all district children prior to kindergarten. Children are usually screened between the ages of three-and-a-half and four. Call 651-748-7289 to schedule an appointment. Children identified through the screening process may be referred to the Special Services department for further assessment and possible service. If you have specific concerns about your child's development, you may call one of these agencies:
- If your child is birth to age 3 and you live in Washington County, call the Washington County Early Intervention Network at 651-430-6700.
- If you child is birth to age 3 and you live in Ramsey County, call the Ramsey County Central Intake and Referral Office, 651-604-3700.
- If you child is 3-5 years of age, call Early Childhood Information and Referral, 651-604-3700 regardless of the county in which you reside.
The Early Childhood Special Education evaluation team will work with you and your child to determine if he/she qualifies for special education service. This collaboration results in an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or an Interagency Individual Intervention Plan (IIIP). This plan is re-written every 12 months and reviewed after 6 months. Parents may request a review or conference with their child's providers at any time.
Services for ages 3-5 are provided in a variety of settings including: Early Childhood Family Education classes, SCOPE-integrated community preschool programs, Early Childhood Special Education classrooms, and Individual or small group therapy.
School Community Options for Preschool Exceptional (SCOPE ): District 622 contracts with preschools in the community to place children who qualify for special education services. SCOPE staff are at the preschools every week to provide therapy and support to the children as well as consult and collaborate with the regular preschool staff.
SCOPE also provides individual outpatient services at Beaver Lake School, Gladstone Community School, and in some Early Childhood and Family Education classes in District 622.
Center Based Programs: District 622 has center-based early childhood special education classrooms that provide a variety of individual special education services in a small group setting, with special education support throughout the school day. These classes are taught by an early childhood special education teacher. Most classes meet Monday through Thursday for two-and-a-half hours. Children attend two or more days a week, depending on the recommendation of their IEP team. Children in these classes receive services as specified in their individual education plans. These services may include speech/language therapy, health services, or occupational or physical therapy. All classrooms have a low student to staff ratio. Classroom content focuses on meeting the IEP goals and objectives of each child through developmentally appropriate materials and activities.
Transportation: Young children with special needs are eligible for curb-to-curb bus transportation within district boundaries. An adult must accompany the child to the bus and be there to receive the child when they return home. Each bus is equipped with a two-way radio and will have a copy of your child's transportation emergency card on board.
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