Gratiot-isabella RESD supports students with disabilities
The Gratiot-isabella RESD (GIRESD) is one of 56 Intermediate School Districts in Michigan responsible for providing a variety of educational programs and services to local school districts within its regional district. The district spans both Gratiot and Isabella counties including nine public school districts, two public school academies and ten non-public schools.
Special education is one of the responsibilities of GIRESD and is under the supervision of the Special Services department. The department is tasked with general supervision and the implementation of the state approved Intermediate School District (ISD) Plan which outlines special education programs and services that will be provided in the two-county RESD region. In addition, the plan includes the persons responsible in each district to identify, locate and evaluate students suspected of having a disability, this is referred to as “Child Find.” The districts’ obligation for Child Find also includes students who may be wards of the court, homeless, attending private schools, incarcerated in jails or correctional facilities or are enrolled in preschool or adult education programs.
The Gratiot-isabella RESD special services department supports special education programs and services in local districts through oversight activities such as compliance monitoring and consulation, training of special education personnel and access to service providers. Service providers employed by the RESD in the areas of occupational therapy, physical therapy, orientation and mobility, speech and language pathology, school social work, school psychologists, teacher consultants, and sign language interpreters, travel throughout the region meeting the individual needs of students with disabilities within the educational setting.
In addition, the special services department operates 27 special education programs for 216 students with mild to severe disabilities ages 3 through 26. The majority of the programs are housed in local district buildings including Alma Public Schools, Breckenridge Community Schools, Mt. Pleasant Public Schools and St. Louis Public Schools. Running programs within a local district building allows K-12 students with disabilities to be included with typical peers in a variety of school activities, environments and classes.
The youngest learners and their families in the region may participate in the Early On program. Early On is the early intervention system in Michigan that provides services to children ages birth to three and their families. In order to be eligible for Early On services, a child must be between the ages of birth and three years of age and have at least a 20 percent delay in any developmental domain, an established health condition, or a disability as defined by Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education. Early On home visitors work with children and families in the home on developmental goals and/or family focused goals in order to increase the likelihood that children will be successful as they grow and learn.
Preschool is another age group that has access to special education programs and services outside of the K-12 environment. Three- through 5-year-olds eligible for special education under one of the 13 disability eligibility categories may receive walk-in services, services in a preschool or childcare center, or support in an Early Childhood Special Education program.
Currently, GIRESD runs three Early Childhood Special Education programs (ECSE) which includes six half day sessions. These programs are housed in Westgate Elementary in St. Louis and Rosebush Elementary in Rosebush. Additionally, the GIRESD collaborates with the Great Start Readiness Program at Luce Road Early Learning Center and Rosebush Elementary to provide 4-yearold students with disabilities an inclusive preschool opportunity. This model allows all students to learn and play as one early childhood community. Preschool age students not requiring the support of a special education program attend walkin services at one of the RESD office locations. The majority of the walk-in students receive speech and language services however; other services such as occupational therapy and physical therapy may be provided.
Students with disabilities, ages 18 thru 26 who have not graduated, may attend a center-based program or a Community Based Education program (CBE). The CBE program focuses on employment and independent living skills, and is designed to meet the needs of young adults with moderate cognitive impairment. The Gratiot-isabella RESD operates two programs in Isabella County and one program in Gratiot County. The purpose of the CBE program is to provide a variety of experiences in school and within the surrounding community that facilitate independent living.
If you are concerned that your child might have a disability, contact your local school district or Gratiot-isabella RESD for more information.