Special Services
We have a strong commitment to providing quality services to our students with disabilities.Welcome to the Ephrata School District special education homepage. We believe in providing the best possible education for all students. For some students with disabilities this may mean special education. Our staff is a devoted, compassionate and experienced team of skilled educators prepared to support as well as challenge our students in special education.
"Every student can learn, just not on the same day, or in the same way."
- Child Find
- Available Programs & Services
- Individual Education Plan (IEP)
- 504/IEP for College Students
- 504 Plan
- Teacher Resources
- Family Resources
Child Find
Child Find is a federal program that helps determine if your child has a disability and assists in providing appropriate services.
Parents who believe their child (birth to 21 years) may have a disability or have concerns about their child's development should contact our Child Find program. Children can be screened to determine if an evaluation is necessary to identify if they have a disability or developmental delay and if they are eligible for special education services. Referrals are accepted from sources within or outside the school district. This service is provided free of charge. Call (509) 754-3538 to make an appointment.
Child Find Information by Age
Ages 0 to 3
Developmental screening for children ages Birth to 3 is scheduled by contacting:
Janelle Bersch
Early Childhood Coordinator, NCESD
430 Olds Station Road
Wenatchee, WA 98801
phone: (509) 664-3781 | fax: (509) 662-9027
If a delay is suspected, an evaluation will be recommended to determine a child’s need and eligibility for early intervention services provided by the North Central Educational Services District (NCESD).
Ages 3 to 5
Ages 5 to 21
Referrals are accepted from sources within or outside the school district. Ephrata School District professionals screen all referrals to determine whether evaluation is appropriate.
Anyone may refer a child for special education eligibility. If your child attends a school in the Ephrata School District, please start this process by contacting your child’s school directly. All referrals for special education eligibility must be submitted in writing.
Private School Students
Referrals (Ages 5 to 21)
A parent of a child, a school district, a public agency, or other persons knowledgeable about the child may initiate a request for an initial evaluation to determine if the student is eligible for special education. The request will be in writing, unless the person is unable to write. (WAC 392-172A-03005) LINK
Schedule a Screening (Ages 3-5)
If you suspect your child has a disability, please contact the Special Services Office at 754-3538.
Available Programs & Services
The Ephrata School District offers a continuum of services based on special education eligibility. Student needs are addressed through a variety of services, including:
- Inclusive Preschool
- Inclusive Classrooms
- Resource Classrooms
- Life Skills Classrooms
- Pull Out Services (removing kid from classroom to special ed environment)
- Push In Services (special ed teacher into general education environment)
- Speech and Language Services
- Motor Services (occupational and physical therapy)
- Vision Services
- Post Secondary Transition Services
Individual Education Plan (IEP)
What is an IEP?
In accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1994, an IEP is a detailed description of the Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) and services a student with disabilities needs in order to receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). An IEP is a contract between families and the Ephrata School District that describes the specific education services a child will receive. This plan is tailored to a child and his or her unique needs.
An IEP Includes:
- A statement of the student's current levels of educational and functional performance
- Measurable annual goals
- A statement of how a student’s progress will be measured and when periodic reports of progress will be provided
- A statement describing the adverse educational impact the student’s disability has on their access to the general curriculum
- A description of the services a child will receive in both the general education and special education settings. (Least Restrictive Environment or LRE)
- A description of related or supplementary aids and services the student will receive
- A description of program modifications and accommodations to be provided to the student
- A description of how the student will participate in general education classes and activities, and if not, why
- The location, duration, and frequency of services to be delivered
- Dates on which services will begin and end
- Beginning when the student turns 16, a description of appropriate, measurable postsecondary goals and transition services needed to assist the student in reaching those goals
- A description of the statewide assessment to be administered to the student
- For a complete description of IEP requirements, please reference WAC 392-172A-03090
504/IEP for College Students
504
If you have a 504, your accommodation plan can follow you to college. To make your school aware of your accommodation plan, take your most recent plan to the student services department of your new college.
IEP
If you have an IEP, that plan ends at graduation. If you are continuing to college, take your last IEP and last evaluation to the student services department of your college and make a request for 504 accommodations.
For both a 504 or an IEP, you must self declare your disability to the college. It is not the responsibility of your college to find you.
Questions: call our Special Services Department: (509) 754-3538
504 Plan
What is a 504 Plan?
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, commonly called "Section 504," is a federal law that protects students from discrimination based on disability. This law applies to all programs and activities that receive funding from the federal government-including Washington public schools.
Equal Opportunities & Benefits
Federal and state law protect students from disability discrimination in public schools. These laws ensure that students with disabilities have educational opportunities and benefits equal to those provided to students without disabilities. Students with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities are protected under Section 504.
Under Section 504, students with disabilities can access the accommodations, aids and services needed to access and benefit from education. Section 504 requires that public schools provide a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to every student with a disability - regardless of the nature or severity of the disability.
Resources
Section 504 Notice of Student Rights
Sección 504 y alumnos con discapacidades
Parent and Educator Guide to Section 504
Know Your Rights Section 504 and ADHD
Teacher Resources
Family Resources
Autism Support Group of Grant County - Facebook Page
Center for Parent Information Resources
Development Disabilities Administration (DDA)
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)
https://www.understood.org/
Learning Disabilities Online
Neurodiversity and Autism
OSPI Parent and Community Liaison
Parents Helping Parents
Support group: (509) 663-0034
Hispanic: (509) 662-6761
Parent to Parent of Washington - Facebook page
Parent to Parent October Newsletter
Boletín informativo de Octubre de padres a padres
Special Olympics Washington
The Brave Warrior Project - Respite Program, Planned TEMPORARY care for a child with UNIQUE caregiving needs to provide relief for their usual caregiver for a period of time.