Kathy [dot] Perry [at] Chariho [dot] k12 [dot] ri [dot] us (Kathy Perry) Director

SPECIAL EDUCATION

Jennifer [dot] Durkin [at] Chariho [dot] K12 [dot] ri [dot] us (Jennifer Durkin) Assistant Director

SPECIAL EDUCATION OVERVIEW

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a comprehensive scheme setup by Congress that lays out the broad mandates for services to all children with disabilities who require special education in order to receive a free appropriate public education. The 1997 reauthorization of the IDEA with the amendments will change some current regulations, and impact some existing Chariho procedures regarding the identification and IEP process.

Students with disabilities are an extremely heterogeneous group, varying by type and severity of disabilities. In general, students with disabilities require greater than normal consistency and intensity of instruction, greater individualization of both academic content and pacing, and greater emphasis on behavior management. Types of disabilities include behavioral disorders, mental retardation, orthopedic impairments, other health impairments, specific learning disabilities, learning impairments, speech and language impairments, visual impairments, multiple disabilities, autism, traumatic brain injury or developmental delays.

If you suspect that your child has a disability and may be eligible for special education services, contact your child's teacher, guidance counselor and/or building principal. An overview of the eligibility criteria referral process, parents' procedural rights and safeguards will be shared with you. In most instances, a mutually agreed upon decision regarding the appropriateness of a referral is reached, and, if appropriate, the teacher refers the child to the CAP/CAST or MDT team review. However, a parent may refer directly to the MDT by completing the Special Education referral form and forwarding it directly to the Special Education Office. Contact the Special Education Office if you have questions or concerns that are not addressed at the building level.

The Rhode Island Parent Information Network (RIPIN) is seeking volunteers from throughout the state to serve as mentors for ninth through eleventh grade students with disabilities. The Mentorship Program is designed to help high school students make a smooth transition to achieving their adult goals. A mentor is a positive role model who commits to a one-to-one relationship with a youth with disabilities over an extended period of time. S/he provides consistent encouragement, guidance and concrete help as the student goes through the transition from high school to adult life. The goal of mentoring is to help the students gain the skills and confidence to be responsible for their own futures.

Mentors will receive training and ongoing supervision as they participate in three activities each month for at least a year with the student to whom they will be matched. Those activities include the following: first, a group activity with two dozen other mentors and their mentees; second, a one-to-one activity with the student in the community; and third, a support session, which will provide training and an opportunity for mentors to discuss their experiences with one another.

The goals of the program are 1) to provide high school students with disabilities the opportunity to associate with someone who will help them identify, work toward and achieve educational, vocational, social and personal goals; 2) to provide students with additional information, guidance and incentives for continuing their education; 3) to enable students to better connect with their communities and with the resources available to them statewide; 4) to help students with disabilities develop self-confidence and skills needed to advocate for themselves in their school, homes, workplaces and communities; and 5) to develop a cadre of adult mentors who can serve the needs of youth with a range of disabilities.

Funded by RITIE, a federal systems change grant which stands for Rhode Island Transition, Independence and Employment, the RIPIN Mentoring Program seeks the best possible mentors from colleges, community agencies, churches, organizations and the business community from throughout the state. That funding will provide a small stipend to the mentors for each support session they attend throughout the year.

Elizabeth Priestly, the Executive Director of RIPIN, said, “The Mentorship Program offers students with disabilities motivation and reinforcement at a pivotal time in their lives. Research has shown that a trusting relationship with a knowledgeable adult can help students achieve more of their goals as they transition into adult roles and responsibilities.”

People wanting to become mentors will fill out an application form, submit three letters of recommendation, go through an interview and pass a background check in order to be accepted into the program. Interested individuals may contact Connie Susa, coordinator of the program, at 727-4144 or 1(800) 464-3399 to receive further information and an application packet.

Click here for the Local Advisory Committee web page

Child Outreach is a free service sponsored by the Rhode Island Department of Education and offered through the Chariho School System. The program provides families with the information about their child’s development and offers information about other resources that are available in the community. Screenings are offered in a variety of locations such as: child care settings, nursery schools, Head Start programs, public school buildings or other places in your community including the town library or churches.

The information about your child’s development is gathered through participating in a brief screening program, which looks at hearing, vision, speech and learning skills. Child Outreach is designed for all children between the ages of 3 and 5 years.

The screening usually takes 45 minutes to complete, sometimes a little longer or shorter depending on each child's individual needs.

The results of the screening are sent to you in the mail and are confidential.

Please call special education office at 364-1160 to schedule an appointment.

Chariho Regional School Committee affirms that no qualified person shall, solely by reason of his/her handicap, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity conducted by the school district.

The Chariho Regional School Committee recognizes that the term "handicapped person" means:

To assure non-discrimination, the Chariho Regional School Committee has established a 504 Referral Process, a parent Right notice and a 504 Grievance Procedure, which is available in every building and in the office of special education. The person in this district who is responsible for assuring that the district complies with Section 504 is Ms. Susan Davis. She may be reached during the school day at 364-0651. Please refer to the Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Policy for a description of the rights granted by federal law to students with identified, eligible 504 handicaps.

Last updated on 06/24/08.