Overall Goal:
Special Needs: Research has shown that early intervention has proven benefits in increasing a child’s educational and developmental achievements, as well as help in the reduction or prevention of more intensive, long-term interventions. Through our program, children with suspected disabilities or delays are given the opportunity for early intervention services, therefore maximizing their potential for later success in school.

Mental Health: Many behavioral disorders initially surface during the preschool years, although they are not diagnosed until later in life. It is our goal that through early intensive behavioral intervention, we will prevent future behavioral problems in childhood, adolescence and beyond.

Role of the Mental Health/Special Needs Manager:

The Mental Health/Special Needs Manager provides on-site visits to the various classrooms throughout the year to ensure the environments are conducive to the children’s overall mental health and well-being. The Mental Health/Special Needs Manager also works one-on-one with staff, parents and children in need of mental health services. The Mental Health/Special Needs Manager also coordinates the screening, assessment and diagnostic evaluations of children with suspected disabilities in the program. They also work closely with the school to ensure the child is receiving the services they need.

Individualized Education Plans (IEP’s), Individualized Family Services Plans (IFSP’s) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP’s):
If a child between the ages of 3-5 in our program is referred for special needs services, and the school district feels they qualify for services, then they develop what is called an Individualized Education Plan. The lead teacher, therapist(s) and parent(s) sit down and discuss what goals they want the student to achieve, as well as support needed to accomplish those goals. Sometimes, children under the age of 3 will also have an IEP, depending on the type and severity of the delay.

Individualized Family Services Plans (IFSP) are similar to IEP’s in that they identify the goals for an individual child, however IFSP’s also contain family support services and case management. IFSP’s are typically used for our children between the ages of 0-3, and are provided through our collaboration with Early On

Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPS) are written for children referred for mental health services. If a child’s behavior interferes with their learning or the learning of other children in the classroom, then a BIP is necessary. Parents, staff and the Mental Health/Special Needs manager meet to discuss what the child needs in order to succeed in the classroom and to help staff and parents better manage the child’s behavior.

For more information on what behaviors warrant a special needs or mental health referral, please take a look at our referrals document.

Philosophy of Behavior:
It is our goal to reduce problem behaviors by teaching appropriate social or replacement skills, changing the classroom environment to support the needs of the child, and creating secure attachment relationships.