Community Transitions (CT)

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• What is Special Education?
• Getting Started
• Our Special Education Programs
• Notice of Special Education Procedural Safeguards for Students and Families
• State and Federal Resources
• Resources for Families
• Special Education Parent Advisory Committee

What is Special Education?

Special Education is specialized instruction for students age Birth to 21 who qualify according to the laws and regulations outlined by state and federal government. A student may qualify for services in one of the areas as identified by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The following definitions are from the U.S. Department of Education website.

• Autism
• Communication Disorders
• Deafness
• Deaf-Blindness
• Developmental Delay
• Emotional/Behavioral Disability
• Health Impairment 
• Hearing Impairment
• Intellectual Disability
• Multiple Disabilities
• Orthopedic Impairment
• Specific Learning Disability
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Visual Impairment
• The IDEA's Disability Terms and Definitions

Getting Started

The district participates in "child find" - awareness and screening activities for the purpose of locating, identifying and evaluating children who are suspected of having disabilities and who may be in need of special education services. A student may also be referred for a special education evaluation by any source, including parents. The referral is to be made in writing and submitted to the building principal or designee.  The Special Education Process

1. Referral and Identification
2. Assessment
3. Individualized Education Program (IEP)
4. IEP Review

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Special Education? (from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction [OSPI] website)
• How does Special Education work? (from the OSPI website)
• What to do if you think your student needs Special Education services? (from the OSPI website)
• How does your student qualify for Special Education? (from the OSPI website)

Our Special Education Programs

Our district has a variety of programs to support families of students with special needs:

• Birth to 2: Bellingham schools partners with community agencies to provide early intervention services through the Department of Early Learning (DEL) Early Supports for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) program. Children ages Birth to Two who have delays in their development or have a physical or mental condition that is known to cause a delay in development may be eligible for early intervention services. These services are provided in a child’s natural environment which may include in  their home or childcare program.
• Preschool: Early childhood preschool programs provide a language-based curriculum to students ages 3-4 with developmental delays. Preschool programs are based in the following locations:
  • Alderwood Elementary
  • Birchwood Elementary
  • Cordata Elementary
  • Geneva Elementary
  • Happy Valley Elementary
  • Northern Heights Elementary
  • Sunnyland Elementary
  • Sehome High School
• Resource: programs provide direct, integrated, and/or consultative services to students with mild to moderate disabilities in general education. Resource programs are based in every elementary, middle and high school. 
• Life Skills: Life Skills programs provide a functional academic and skill domain curriculum, with supported integration in general education and opportunities for community-based instruction to students with moderate to severe developmental disabilities. Life Skills programs are based in the following locations:
  • Carl Cozier Elementary
  • Columbia Elementary
  • Cordata Elementary
  • Wade King Elementary
  • Fairhaven Middle
  • Kulshan Middle
  • Shuksan Middle
  • Bellingham High
  • Sehome High
  • Squalicum HIgh
• EBD (Emotionally/Behaviorally Disabled) BRIDGES: The "BRIDGES" programs provide an academic curriculum within a structured behavior management system, with integration or mainstreaming in general education, to students with moderate to severe behavioral disabilities. EBD programs are based in the following locations:
  • Parkview Elementary
  • Lowell Elementary
  • Whatcom Middle
  • Squalicum High
• Community Transitions: The Community Transitions post-high school program provides transition classes, supported and independent vocational experiences, and linkages to adult services for students ages 18-21 with mild, moderate, or severe disabilities.
• Itinerant Services: Itinerant services provide instruction and support to students who need:
  • Physical Therapy
  • Assistive Technology
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Speech Language Therapy
  • Sign Language
  • Aural Rehab Management
  • Braille
  • Diagnostic-Psychological intervention
  • Autism Consultation
• Out of District Placements: For students who need intensive services, the Bellingham Public Schools contracts with other providers including:
  • Northwest ESD 189 - Whatcom Discovery

State and Federal Resources

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction - Special Education (OSPI) Washington State Resources for Parents of Children and Youth with Disabilities Resources

• Developmental Disability Administration
  • DDA Eligibility and How to Apply
• Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) - Department of Children, Youth and Families
• Guidance for Families - Special Education in Washington State (OSPI website)
• LD Online (LD = Learning Disabilities)
• Northwest Educational Service District 189
• Office of Education Omsbud
• Opportunity Council
• Parent to Parent of Whatcom County
• Single Entry Access to Services
• Special Education Technology Center
• Special Olympics - Whatcom County
• The Arc of Whatcom County
• Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families
• Whatcom Center For Early Learning
• Whatcom Taking Action - Community Services
• Assistive Technology Resources

Continuing Education Opportunities

• Special Education Technology Center
• Northwest Educational Service District 189
• IEP 101 for Families
• Paraeducator Trainings

 

Special Education Office Staff

Director: Mike Haberman, (360) 676-6458      Secretary: Deanna Bannerman (360) 676-6458 Assistant Director: Bethany Verner (360) 676-6458      Secretary: Joy Rawls (360) 676-6470 ext. 2042

Special Education Records Requests

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