Disabilities

Head Start of Delaware County, will make accommodations for children’s disabilities and implement strategies for meeting the needs of their families as well. Speech, hearing, sensory, behavioral, and developmental screenings are given to all Head Start children to help identify any special needs. We work closely with the Delaware/Blackford County Special Education Cooperative and the Greater Randolph Interlocal Cooperative to assist families of children with disabilities in getting the services they need. If deemed necessary, we work with the family in making additional referrals to the appropriate agencies for testing. Parental input and consent in writing must be obtained before a child can have an initial evaluation.
All students with a disability will have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) based on their individual needs and developed at a Case Conference by a team of individuals which will include parents, teachers, and specialists who have observed and reviewed test results to determine eligibility for services. The Disabilities/Child Mental Health Coordinator and your child's teacher, along with other specialists involved, make up your child's support team to assure each IEP goal is regularly addressed each week at Head Start. Parents are kept informed of progress during Parent/Teacher Conferences, Home Visits, and Case Conferences.