Special Needs Services

If you are new to PSPA and have a child who has been receiving special education services, contact Glenn Dansky, EC Coordinator at 984-217-1724 Ext. 3213 or [email protected].

Please leave a message and he will get back to you. Be prepared to provide documentation of your child’s special needs (such as a copy of the student’s Individual Education.

Parent Resources

Project Child Find

What is Project Child Find?

An effort coordinated by your local school system and the Exceptional Children Division, State Department of Public Instruction, to:

• Locate and identify children and youth ages birth through 21 with disabilities who are in need of special education and related services.
• Inform parents and/or guardians of the services available from their local school system and other state and community agencies.

Who are the Children?

Children and youth who have been diagnosed or are suspected to have intellectual, physical, or emotional disabilities and are unable to benefit from a regular school program without special assistance.

What help is available?

• A complete evaluation and, if appropriate,
• An Individualized Education Program for children with a disability beginning at age three,
• An Individual Family Service Plan for each child with a disability if applicable
• A referral to other agencies when needed.
• Parent’s Rights & Responsibility Handbook
• Derechos Y Responsabilidades de los Padres de Familia
• NC Policies Governing Services for Children with Disabilities
• NC Parent Resources
• National Resources for Children with Disabilities
• EC Assistance Center

Parents’ Rights

The special education process is a collaboration between families and PSPA. It is important for parents of children with disabilities to understand their rights throughout this process.

Procedural Safeguards: Handbook on Parents’ Rights

As stated in the Procedural Safeguards: Handbook on Parents’ Rights, Public Schools of North Carolina, Exceptional Children Division, “The IDEA requires schools to provide parents of a child with a disability a notice containing a full explanation of the procedural safeguards (legal rights) available under the IDEA and the federal regulations.” Additional information can be found at the US Department of Education’s searchable website at http://idea.ed.gov/.

Advocates and Attorneys

Special Education Services believes that collaboration between district staff and parents is the best way to make decisions related to the development of a student’s IEP. From time to time, parents may wish to bring a representative to an IEP meeting, such as an advocate or attorney. If you need additional information about this, please contact Glenn Dansky, EC Coordinator.

Dispute Resolution

Any person who has a concern about the education of a student with a disability can raise the issue in one of several ways. For example, it is always appropriate to discuss the matter with the student’s teacher or the school administrator (Stephanie Needham, Glenn Dansky,Coordinator of Exceptional Children Program,)  to discuss their concerns and to work towards a resolution. In addition, any person may contact the Department of Public Instruction Exceptional Children’s Division for disputes concerning a student with a disability.

Information for dispute resolutions can be found HERE.  The consultants for dispute resolution work with parents, traditional local educational agencies, charter schools, state operated programs and other

individuals to resolve disputes. They provide information about facilitated IEP meetings, mediation, formal written complaints and due process hearings. They also investigate formal written complaints.

504 Rehabilitation Act

PARENTAL RIGHTS REGARDING SECTION 504 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973

PSPA is committed to complying with federal law and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which ensures a free and appropriate education to each student with a disability. Under the Act, anyone who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity may be considered handicapped. The school has responsibilities to identify, evaluate and provide appropriate education services for all students eligible as having a disability under Section 504. Parents are entitled to be fully informed of decisions regarding their child’s education and to be advised of those rights to challenge any of the decisions.

Parents have a right to:

• Receive notification that your child is being evaluated and identified as handicapped.
• Receive notification that an educational plan is being developed.
• Have evaluation and educational decisions made from a variety of information sources and by persons who know your child, the evaluation data and placement options.
• Examine all relevant records.
• Have your child receive a free and appropriate public education which includes being educated with non-handicapped students to the maximum extent appropriate and receiving reasonable accommodation in school and school-related activities.
• Have periodic reevaluations and an evaluation prior to any significant change in educational program.
• Have an informal conference with the school principal and the multi-disciplinary team and, if your concerns are not addressed, you may request an impartial hearing.

Request an impartial formal hearing if there is disagreement related to actions regarding your child’s identification, evaluation, educational program or placement and be represented by counsel.

Please contact the school for questions or concerns regarding your child’s education.

For additional information regarding Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, contact Glenn Dansky, 504 Coordinator at 984-217-1724 Ext. 3213 or [email protected].