Child Find
Special education programs and services are available to children ages three to twenty-one. Children experiencing physical, sensory, emotional, communication, cognitive and/or social difficulties may be eligible for special education and related services. Parents should contact their district Child Study Team office for further information. Babies from birth to three, who are thought to have a developmental delay, may receive assistance from the Early Intervention Program. To access this service, parents should contact the Service Coordinator for Early Intervention at 973-971-4155.
If parents are concerned about their child's school age progress, they should feel free to discuss such issues with their child’s teacher, guidance counselor and/or principal. Parents have the option of making a referral to the Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS) committee or to the Child Study Team (CST). The I&RS offers intervention procedures that are provided within the regular education school program. At times, however, more extensive interventions that can be provided in a regular education setting are necessary to assist the student. If the decision is made to undertake a full Child Study Team evaluation, the child’s social, emotional and academic status may be assessed. Medical or other specialized evaluations may be included in the assessment at no cost to the parent. If a child is determined to be eligible for special education and related services, an individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed, which includes a rationale for the student’s educational placement and the basis for the program implementation.