Disabilities

Children with Disabilities

Head Start has long been an inclusionary placement for children with disabilities and special needs. Working together, teachers, support specialists and parents facilitate and maximize the child's full participation in classroom experiences and interactions.

If you have a child with a disability or suspect your Head Start child may have needs for special services, you may request an evaluation. A child may be referred by calling Spencer Hoffer, Disabilities Manager at 503-916-6320 or in conjunction with the specialists and teacher in your child's classroom.

In order to be served by special education specialists every child must have an evaluation and be found to be eligible for services. The Oregon Department of Education has written rules that must be followed when determining a child to be eligible for services.

This evaluation is completed in conjunction with parents, Head Start staff and staff from Portland Public Schools Early Childhood Assessment/Transition Team. The evaluation consists of various developmental assessment tools, and available medical records, interviews and observations.

After the testing is complete and all the information is gathered, the evaluation team, including the parents, reviews the information and determines if the child is eligible for Early Childhood Special Education Services.

If the child meets the minimum eligibility requirements a meeting is held to discuss the next step in the process, which is the individualized Family Service Plan or IFSP. A team comprised of specialists from Multnomah Early Childhood Program (MECP), the classroom teacher and the parents write the IFSP. The IFSP is a plan that describes the child's current developmental status, goals and objectives for the child, and outcomes, which will support the child's development within the family. Services which will be needed to support the child and family in achievement of the IFSP are also listed.

Services will begin as soon as possible after the completion of the IFSP. Every child and family will have a service coordinator who will be responsible for coordinating the services listed on the IFSP. The service coordinator's name is on the front page of the IFSP. Any questions or concerns regarding service to a child should be directed to this person.