Special education services

Should you need additional support outside of your school district, contact these resources for help advocating for yourself and your child.

Helpful Link:

• Guide to Parent Rights in Special Education – Find information and resources to help you understand your child’s education supports and services.

Free preschool special education services are available to all children with disabilities, ages 3 to 5 years old in Stark County. Some of the classes are operated by the districts themselves while other districts contract with the SCESC to provide instructional services to their preschoolers. Contact your home district for more information on their preschool program and ask to have your child evaluated if you suspect there may be developmental delays.

The Evaluation Team Report (school district evaluation) is essentially the beginning step in the special education process. Before a child can receive educational accommodations and related services, the child must be evaluated to identify developmental delays. Once the evaluation is complete, the child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is assembled by a team including parents, teachers, therapists, behavioral specialists and school administrators.

Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) are required to receive special education services in Stark County public schools. These important documents are put together by the teaching staff, parents, school administrators and the students themselves, to prepare for success in school. Included in these plans are details about the child’s learning needs, services required from the school and ways to monitor the student’s progress.

Contact your local school district to begin this process.

Programs like the following are offered by local school districts throughout Stark County. Reach out to your school system directly to learn more about the special education services available near you:

• Audiological (hearing) services
• Speech/language pathology
• Occupational and physical therapy
• Adapted physical education
• Nonviolent crisis intervention training
• Itinerant services

Home schooling is a right that all Stark County parents have for their children. In order to educate children at home, parents must notify their local school district and comply with Ohio homeschooling requirements.

It is essential for schools and mental health providers to coordinate education services to support students both academically and emotionally. These educational accommodations might include case management, specialized classroom instruction, counseling and crisis intervention.

Behavioral Health Programs

In Stark County schools, guidance counselors, behavioral health specialists, teachers and school administrators collaborate to plan specialized instruction and support services for students with behavioral health concerns. Through teacher education, in-classroom strategies, case management and more, schools are better able to manage disruptions, reduce truancy and increase student resiliency.

School Psychologists

School psychologists play an essential role in a child’s overall education plan. They collaborate with educators, serve as part of a child’s IEP team and provide mental and behavioral health services in the classroom and at home. School psychologists also coordinate the evaluation process in order to determine or re-determine if a child qualifies for special education services beginning at 3 years old. Contact your local district to learn about the mental health services and educational accommodations offered in your school system.

The Individualized Service Plan (ISP) outlines specific services and supports necessary for a person with developmental disabilities to remain healthy and safe during daily life.

If someone is eligible for services as an adult, their SSA will assess their needs and determine available resources and opportunities to provide the necessary support. Within the approved budget, SSAs will coordinate services to support the individual’s health, safety and independence.

The ISP is the service plan that identifies what is important to a person and makes them happy, as well as the outcomes they are working on and the supervision required from their service providers to help them succeed in adulthood.

Once determined eligible for services, Stark County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Stark DD) may be an important resource during the transition to adulthood. Request to talk to an SSA for help developing an ISP that meets your needs.

After high school, your child may choose to pursue further education, go into the workforce or seek out a different living arrangement. No matter what they decide to do next, this newfound independence can present challenges and opportunities for young people with developmental disabilities. You may have discussed some of these prospects with your child and his or her IEP team before graduation. Whatever path your child takes, there are steps regarding medical and legal rights to be considered as your child transitions to adulthood.

The following recommendations can help create a smoother transition to adulthood for young people with developmental disabilities:

• It is a good idea to start the transition planning process at least two years before high school graduation
• Parents may want to look into guardianship for their son or daughter at this time
• Students should be involved in the creation of their transition IEPs, so their goals, preferences and interests can be incorporated into the plan
• You may want to request placement on the waiting list for waiver services
• Visit the Stark DD Navigation Tool for the complete guide to transition planning

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