John Ciaravino - Director of Special Education
Wayne Wolbert - Supervisor of Special Education

Special Education
The Hillsdale County Intermediate School District, in cooperation with the eight local districts and two public school academies, develops, implements and coordinates special education services and programs for all eligible disabled students who qualify for special education services.

The combined school districts in Hillsdale County have a total school enrollment of approximately 7,800 students and directly serve 1,064 special education students in various programs or approximately 14 percent of our school population.

The Intermediate and local school districts provide special education in regular and special education classroom programs to students with the following disabilities:

• Speech and Language Impaired
• Mild Cognitive Impaired
• Moderately Cognitive Impaired
• Severely Cognitive Impaired
• Learning Disabled
• Autistic Impaired
• Visually Impaired
• Hearing Impaired
• Early Childhood Development Delay
• Emotionally Impaired
• Physically and Otherwise Health Impaired

Each child's abilities are considered in the planning of an individualized education program.  Some mildly disabled students can benefit from regular education classes with minimal support from a resource room teacher.  Other mildly disabled students may require specialized instruction for less than half of the school day, receiving services through a resource program.  Moderately and severely disabled students requiring more intensive special education may receive instruction from most or parent of the school day in a special education classroom.

The Referral Process

Hillsdale ISD Programs and Services

• Moderately Cognitive Impaired
• Severely Cognitive Impaired
• Severely Multiply Impaired
• Emotionally Impaired
• Hearing Impaired
• Infant/Toddler
• Early Childhood Special Education
• Speech and Language Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Vision Impaired & Orientation/Mobility
• Work Study Coordinator
• Blood-borne Pathogen Training (Handout & Video)

Hillsdale ISD Center Programs

The Infant and Toddler Program is a home and center program that provides services for disabled children 0-3 years of age.  It enhances the infant's development growth and trains parents to assist in their child's development.

The Early Childhood Developmental Delay Program provides services for disabled children 3-5 years of age. It provides opportunities for disabled preschoolers in a classroom setting.

The Self-contained Classroom for the Moderately Cognitive Impaired provides services for handicapped persons 6-12 years of age. It assists students in areas of self-help, language, gross and fine motor skills and cognition.

The Self-contained Programs for the Emotionally Impaired provides services for handicapped students, 5-26 years of age, who demonstrate severe emotional problems and are unable to function in a general education setting.

The Self-contained Program for the Hearing Impaired provides services for handicapped students 5-8 years of age, who demonstrate severe hearing problems and are unable to function in a general education setting.

The Self-contained Classrooms for the Severely Cognitive Impaired and Severely Multiply Impaired provides services for handicapped persons 5-26 years of age. It assists students in areas of self-help, language, gross and fine motor skills and cognition.

The Self-contained Classrooms for the Moderately Cognitive Impaired (Community Based Instruction) provides services for handicapped students, 12-26 years of age, who demonstrate learning deficits and are unable to function in a general education setting.

Parent Advisory Committee

Who we are …

We are parents of children with disabilities. We represent the ten local school districts in Hillsdale County and the ISD center programs.


What we do …

As Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) members, we advise the ISD School Board on matters relating to special education programs and services. We also take an active role in the development of the Hillsdale County ISD Special Education Plan, a document which describes the delivery of special education in Hillsdale County.

Members are recommended by their local school districts for appointment by the Hillsdale County School Board. Care is given in this process to assure that, to the extent possible, the PAC membership also represents the various impairments of students enrolled in our programs.

PAC members stay informed about plans, changes and current trends in special education in Hillsdale County and the State of Michigan through hosting speakers from county and state-wide programs and agencies, and tours of ISD programs.

Questions regarding our organization may be directed to any committee member. Each member is willing to help you become more aware of the services available to you and your child. PAC members are available to assist parents in understanding the special education process and the IEP process.

For the name of your local PAC member, please call the Hillsdale County Intermediate School District at 517-439-1515. You are welcome to attend any PAC meeting. The dates and times of the current meetings can also be found by calling the ISD at the number listed.
 

PARENT & EDUCATOR RESOURCES