Northcentral Arkansas

Education Service Cooperative

Early Childhood Education

                       99 Haley Street/PO Box 739, Melbourne, AR 72512                                  Melissa Morrison, Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator

                       Phone: 870-581-3601    Fax: 870-368-4920                                                    Melissa.morrison@northcentral.k12.ar.us

What Are Early Childhood Special Education Services?

Early Childhood Special Education Services are activities designed to enhance the development of the preschool child and provide experiences in one or more of the following areas: talking, seeing, hearing, learning, walking behavior.

Who Is Eligible:

A child may be eligible for special services if he/she is age 3 through 5 and is experiencing difficulties which interfere with normal development in these areas: speech/language, vision, hearing, motor skills, behavioral/social skills, self help skills, problem solving skills, cognition/readiness skills.

What Services Are Available?

The following services are provided as needed at no cost to the family: screening, evaluation, preschool special education instruction, speech/language therapy, physical/occupational therapy, and other appropriate services.

How Are Services Provided?

Services may include:

·         interaction with peers who are developing normally

·         coordination with other agencies

·         one or more program options

·         public school based classrooms

·         public or private preschool

·         itinerant based, i.e., speech/language therapy

·         specialized day service center

·         home based instruction

·         hospital/residential instruction

Who Can You Contact For Services?

To find out what programs are available for a preschool child 3 through 5 years of age who is experiencing difficulties contact:

·         your local school district

·         Arkansas Special Education Resource Center: 1-800-482-8437

·         Northcentral Arkansas Educational Service Cooperative (NAESC): 870-581-3601

Remember:

The earlier you recognize your child’s special needs and seek help,

the better the possibilities are for your child to improve or overcome the problem.

NAESC Program Description:

The NAESC Early Childhood Program provides special educational services for children with disabilities ages three to five. The services are offered in accordance with the Individual with Disabilities Education Act, 1997 (IDEA) on behalf of the public schools.

Counties Served:

Baxter, Fulton, Independence, Izard, Sharp, Stone

Districts Served:

Calico Rock, Cave City, Cedar Ridge,Concord, Highland, Mammoth Spring

Melbourne, Mountain View, Norfork, Salem, Viola

Preschool Disability Categories:

·         Autism

·         Deaf/blindness

·         Hearing impaired

·         Multiple disabled

·         Traumatic brain injury

·         Orthopedically impaired

·         Other health impairments

·         Speech/language impaired

·         Visually impaired

·         Non-Categorical