SPECIAL SERVICES

Child Find Services

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The Clinton Board of Education abides by federal and state statutory requirements in Child Find and identification procedures. The Clinton Board of Education is responsible for identification of children requiring special education and related service (10-76).

The Clinton Public Schools identifies, locates and evaluates all children with disabilities, 3-21 years of age who need special education and related services. These include the following:

	Children enrolled in private schools, religious and secular, elementary and secondary.
	Children who are highly mobile such as migrant and homeless children.
	Children who are suspected of having a disability and in need of special education services as they advance from grade to grade.

         Activities undertaken by the Clinton Board of Education to locate, identify and evaluate students in non-public school settings include the following:

	Preschool Developmental Screenings – Third Friday of each month within the system. Students are observed in a small group setting of 6-8 children. Observational screening is done in the area of speech and language, fine/gross motor, social development, adaptive skills and cognitive/readiness skills.
	Notice of Child Find goes out to churches, day care centers, library, town hall, community agencies, pediatricians, preschool programs, private schools, regional education service centers and other appropriate individuals and agencies.
	Child Find Preschool Screening dates are posted in all schools and in the Superinten-dent’s office.

        Clinton Public Schools participates in transition planning conferences arranged by the lead Birth to Three agency at least 90 days prior to the child’s third birthday to ensure that children participating in early-intervention programs assisted under IDEA Part C, who may participate in district special education programs will experience a smooth and effective transition to preschool programs in a manner consistent with IDEA 97.

Gifted and/or talented students are identified as required by IDEA regulations.

Alternative procedures and programs are utilized in regular education prior to referral to PPT where appropriate. These include the Early Intervention Programs offered at every school in Clinton.

Before a child is referred to a PPT, alternative procedures and programs in regular education are explored and where appropriate, implemented.

Students who have been suspended repeatedly will promptly be referred to PPT. Students whose behavior, attendance or progress in school is considered unsatisfactory or at a marginal level of acceptance (potential dropouts) will be considered for a potential referral to the PPT.

Janet Brisson, Director of Special Services at (860) 664-6505.