ERC NEWSLETTER

Our Special Education Department strives to provide a continuum of comprehensive educational services for all students with disabilities. Academic, as well as functional skills are an important part of each student’s education program. Each student is an individual with unique needs which are taken into consideration as the student’s program is developed by a knowledgeable and caring team. The program for a student may include but is not limited to: academics, adaptive PE, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech/language therapy, behavior interventions, and counseling.

Child Find is an important activity for our school district. If you are aware of a child who may have a disability and is not receiving educational services please notify us at the ERC.

For further information regarding special education services in Washakie County School District #1, please call the Special Education Department at 307-347-2435.

We are happy to answer any questions you may have.

Hello WCSD#1 Families!

Welcome to the 26-27 school year! It's already been a busy first 10 days. I believe that meaningful progress happens when we truly understand each student's unique needs and build upon their individual strengths. I find that building a relationship, helping students identify their struggles, modeling, and finally practicing with students on how to regulate themselves when they encounter a difficult situation is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.

Washakie County School District #1 is deeply committed to focusing on the growth of every special education student, and I can proudly say that our staff works hard to ensure every student receives the most effective support possible and can make meaningful progress in the areas where they need it most. I am looking forward to another great year working with both the students and staff of Washakie County School District #1.

As always, feel free to reach out directly to me or my team with any questions or concerns.

Ryan R. Clark<><<

Special Education Director

Washakie County School District #1

- Rebekah Poe (Blueprint for Inclusion)

• In a nutshell...Special Education is instruction that is specially designed to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability.
• Special Education provides students with a disability the support they need to learn and thrive in school.
• Special Education focuses on helping students with different abilities.

Special education refers to a range of services that can be provided in different ways and in different settings. There’s no “one size fits all” approach to special education. It’s tailored to meet the needs of students with disabilities.

Special education focuses on helping kids with disabilities learn. But it doesn’t mean placing kids in a special classroom all day long. In fact, federal law says that kids who get special education services should learn in the same classrooms as other kids as much as possible. This is known as the least restrictive environment (or LRE).

The services and supports for one student may be very different from those of another student. It’s all about the individual child and giving them the resources they need to make progress in school.

https://www.understood.org/en/articles/understanding-special-education

Purpose of a Referral: A referral is the first step in the special education process, acting as a request for a student to be evaluated to determine if they qualify for special education services.

Who Can Make a Referral

A referral is the FIRST step in the special education process, acting as a request for a student to be evaluated to determine if they qualify for special education services. Anyone can make a referral as noted in CHILD FIND. This can be a parent, a friend, a teacher, a grandparent, and/or a principal.

WHY MAKE A REFERRAL?

Access to Supports: A referral can help ensure that students with disabilities receive the necessary supports and services to help them succeed in school.

Need for Specialized Services: If a student's needs cannot be adequately met through general education interventions, a referral can help determine if specialized instruction and supports are necessary.

Suspected Disability: If a student is struggling in specific areas, such as academics, behavior, or social-emotional skills, and those struggles are significant, a referral may be made to explore if a disability is impacting their learning.

Procedural safegaurds are legally protected rights for parents of students with disaiblities to ensure they have a say in their child's special education services.

IEPS AND EXTRA CHEESE!

307-347-2435

Fall Hours

Our purpose is to assure that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families participate in and have access to needed community services, individualized supports and other forms of assistance that promote independence, productivity, integration and inclusion in all facets of community life.

We help Wyoming families of children impacted by disabilities or special education needs (birth to 26), find their voice and effectively advocate as equal partners with schools.

The Wyoming Institute for Disabilities (WIND) is an academic unit in the College of Health Sciences and a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). WIND works to assist individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, professionals, and University of Wyoming students through education, training, community services, and early intervention. The Wyoming Institute for Disabilities envisions a Wyoming where all people can participate in everyday community life as they cho

WATR is Wyoming's Assistive Technology Act program and a resource for all assistive technology (AT) needs in Wyoming. AT may be a device or solution that enhances an individual's ability to live, play, or work independently. AT can take the form of a device, tool, or adaptation that supports a person when participating in everyday activities and settings.

Need Help?

• Our work encompasses local, statewide and tribal services at reduced cost or, for qualifying families, for free. Legal services include special education cases, guardianships, adoption, and juvenile assistance.

• Our Family Tree services are non-legal and consist of mediation, parent education and supervised visits and exchanges.

• The Youth Justice Coalition works within the communities of Wyoming to build relationships and generate positive solutions to the problems facing youth who have been in contact with the criminal justice system.

• Our juvenile justice advocacy encompasses coordinating with local stakeholders to identify and implement juvenile justice reforms, working to make schools safer for everyone, and collecting data to make informed decisions to best advocate for the most vulnerable members of our society.

https://dws.wyo.gov/dws-division/vocational-rehabilitation/

307-347-2435

307-347-2435

307-347-2435

Email: rclark@washakie1.com
Website: https://erc.wsh1.k12.wy.us/
Location: 201 North 15th Street, Worland, WY, USA
Phone: 307-347-2435