Special Education

The Special Education department offers specialized instructional services for children ages birth to 22 who have physical, emotional, or mental disabilities. The department operates a countywide day treatment program and provides daily classroom itinerant instruction for over 120 of the county's most severely disabled school-age students. The department oversees Non-Public Schools program and administers and funds educational services for students residing in licensed children's institutions.

The Special Education staff strives to provide each student with a high-quality, standards-based educational experience that prepares them for successful transition to the highest possible level of independence. The department has approximately 50 employees who deliver services in the 12 districts and community sites within Mendocino County. Those services include special day classes, speech and language therapy, school psychologist services, occupational and physical therapy, support for visually impaired and deaf/hard of hearing students, orientation and mobility training, vocational training, counseling, and assessments.

Mendocino County Early Start Program

for Children Birth to Three with Disabilities

The Mendocino County Early Start Program is offered through the Redwood Coast Regional Center (RCRC) and the Mendocino County Office of Education (MCOE). RCRC offers early intervention to families whose children may be at risk for developmental delays or who have a significant developmental delay. MCOE provides early intervention (EI) services to children with significant developmental delay and/or hearing, orthopedic, or vision impairment.

As a parent, you know your child. You may have noticed that your child is growing or doing things differently from other children, or you have have been told by a health care provider or other professional of their concerns about your child's development. Starting early to enhance your child's development benefits you and your family.

Referrals

If you are concerned about your child's development the first step is to have your child referred for an evaluation. During the evaluation, a child's motor, communication, learning, social, and emotional development are evaluated. Once this process is completed and if your child is found eligible for Early Start Services, an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) is developed for your child and family.

How are Services Helpful?

• Developmental assessments help identify strengths and needs for children.
• Programs are developed to promote a child's growth and development.
• Family service plans are developed to address family concerns, priorities, and resources.
• Families can be linked to resources.
• Families receive support from both professionals and other parents.
• Support in planning for transition to preschool.
• Assistance is available at no cost to families.

Early Start's Family-Centered Guiding Principles

• Supporting Families
• Respecting personal beliefs and family values
• Being partners in decision making
• Making Child and family relationships a priority
• Listening to family concerns
• Having Choices
• Being acknowledged as their child's greatest resource
• Providing quality information and support

Safe Passage
Family Resource Center
Family Advocate Available
Inland and Coast
(707)964-3077

Confidentiality

All services are held in the strictest of confidence. With parent written permission, information is shared only with the agencies who will be working with the child and family. For more information or to make a referral contact:

REDWOOD COAST REGIONAL CENTER
1116 Airport Park Blvd.
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707 462-3314
Fax 1-800-231-3832

MENDOCINO COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION
2240 Old River Road
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707)467-5181

MENDOCINO COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
1120 S. Dora Street
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 472-2600

Low Incidence Services

Low Incidence services are provided to individuals with disabilities from birth to 22 who have been identified with hearing, vision, orthopedic impairments or combination thereof. Our goal is to assist students in order to access education and inclusion activities in school, home, and community settings. Staff work collaboratively with parents, care providers, educators, and other professionals who serve these individuals. Services are determined according to student program placement and individual need based on IEP requirements.


Deaf & Hard of Hearing (DHH)
An itinerant resource program provides support for students who are hard of hearing whose loss affects their learning ability. Integral DHH services include: consultation to support the student and school staff for successful mainstreaming; liaison between family, medical community, school, and in-service for peers and staff. Direct services focus on Language Arts, and can include classroom interpreters, note takers and tutoring. Assistive devices are available to students as needed. Parent support and education are central to the infant program. Services for infants include a combination of home based and group sessions for children and parents. The communication philosophy supports each families goals for their child's needs, with strong support given to American Sign Language as the ideal for signing students.

Visually Impaired (VI)
As part of inclusive education, staff instructs students with visual impairments to learn all or part of the routines in which their peers engage. Increasing awareness of their world, instruction in self-advocacy, daily living skills, classroom and school activities, and improving self-esteem are emphasized. Students succeed academically with Braille instruction, materials in large print, audiotapes and adaptive equipment to access the core curriculum. Staff work with parents regarding coping strategies, other agency and medical contacts, and transition planning which pave the way toward their children's independence and success as adults.

Orthopedically Impaired (OI)
Eligibility for the OI program is dependent upon a medical diagnosis, which adversely affects educational performance. Some conditions resulting in severe orthopedic impairments include cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, spinal cord injuries and head trauma. Normal physical development, movement and daily living activities may be significantly restricted. Staff provide direct educational service, collaborate with other specialists including speech, physical and occupational therapists, provide ability awareness to peers and staff, and stay current with best practices and new innovations in adaptive equipment and state of the art technology.

Contacts

• Paul Tichinin, Superintendent, 707-467-5001
• Damon Dickinson, SELPA Director, 707-467-5167
• Paula Miller, Special Education Director, 707-467-5172

Teachers of Deaf and Hard of Hearing

• Julie Merz, Inland, 707-467-5190
• Sandy Fraser, Coast, 707-961-2856

Teachers of Visually Impaired

• Laura Fogg, 707-467-5185
• Suzanne Perada, 707-467-5186

Teachers of Orthopedically Impaired

• Christy Schauer, Inland, 707-467-5183
• Maggie Morales, Coast, 707-961-2856