Special Education

The Special Education Department offers specialized instructional services for children ages birth to 22 who have physical, emotional, or cognitive disabilities. The department operates a countywide Therapeutic Support Program and provides daily classroom itinerant instruction for over 160 of the county’s most severely disabled school-age students. The department coordinates and provides services for students residing in Licensed Children’s Institutions and Short Term Residential Treatment Programs.

The Special Education staff strives to provide each student with a high-quality, standards-based educational experience that prepares them for a successful transition to the highest possible level of independence. The department has approximately 90 employees who deliver services in the 12 districts and community sites within Mendocino County. Those services include deaf & hard of hearing, early start intervention, health & nursing, occupational therapy, orientation & mobility, orthopedically impaired, physical therapy, school psychology services, speech and language therapy, therapeutic support program, visually impaired.

The Department provides leadership and guidance to help children with Individualized Educational Plan (IEP’s) to be included in educational opportunities that will aid in the development of the skills needed to participate successfully and productively in their community now and in the future.

Mission

The Special Education Department provides direct services to students identified with a variety of disabilities within Mendocino County School, provides leadership and guidance to help children with Individualized Educational Plan (IEP’s) to be included in educational opportunities that will aid in the development of the skills needed to participate successfully and productively in their community now and in the future.

Vision

Success for All Students

Services

Low Incidence Services

Low Incidence services are provided to individuals with disabilities from birth to 22 who have been identified with hearing, vision, orthopedic or combination thereof.

Early Start

The Early Start Program is here to support families to make sure their children are reaching their developmental milestones.

Health & Nursing

Credentialed School Nurses oversee the health and safety of students on school campuses. They train and update school staff and policies on handling first aid medication administration, health care plans for students with medical needs during the school day, make sure medications at school are administered safely and generally advise on whatever health issues come up. The credentialed school nurses also review students immunization records, perform mandated hearing and vision screenings and make annual reports to the State on these issues. School nurses can also be seen providing education on the myriad of health topics for students and staff.

Occupational & Physical Therapy

In school-based practice, Occupation Therapists (OTs) and Physical Therapists (PTs) support a child’s ability to gain access to and make progress in the school curriculum.

Student Support Services

School psychologists partner with families, teachers, school administrators, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community.