- Chester County Intermediate Unit
- Preschool Special Education
Special Education
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Concerned about your child’s development? The CCIU offers a vast array of programs and services for eligible young children between the ages of three and five years old. Among these services is a full continuum of Preschool Special Education programs to meet the needs of children with special needs and developmental delays.
Preschool Special Education Services are provided FREE of charge to children and their families who reside in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
Parents may refer a child for screening and evaluation. If a child is found to need Preschool Special Education Services, an individualized education plan (IEP) is developed and the appropriate services are arranged. To arrange for an evaluation and screening, call 484-237-5150 or complete an online referral.
Agency personnel, preschools, day care providers and medical practitioners may also support this process. Learn more about Early Childhood Provider Resources or contact us at the phone number listed below for more information.
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Itinerant Preschool Special Education programs and services may be provided in your child's regular preschool or childcare, Head Start program, at various CCIU locations or via telepractice. If your child demonstrates a specific need for individual or integrated services, they may be provided on-site by an appropriate specialist.
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Currently, CCIU operates special education classrooms to support students ages three to five years old with disabilities based on the child's Individual Education Plan. These classes are located in elementary schools, various CCIU operated buildings and Head Start programs throughout the county. Each class is staffed by a certified special education teacher and an instructional assistant.
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The Individualized Education Planning team (IEP) may determine that a student needs a related service to benefit from his or her early intervention program. Examples of related services which the CCIU or local Chester County school districts provide include:
- Transportation
- Speech Therapy
- Physical and Occupational Therapies
- Assistive Technology
- Vision Support
- Hearing Support
Additional services may be provided if deemed necessary and appropriate by your child's IEP team.
Local Resources
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Access Services
Access Services – provides resources and support for behavioral health, children and family services, intellectual disabilities and autism.
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Care Center Foundation
Care Center Foundation – promotes education and social uplift programs for low-income families in Chester County.
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Chester County Library System
Chester County Library System – provides information, resources and a calendar of events.
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Chester County Pennsylvania
Chester County Pennsylvania – provides information about Chester County government, services and more.
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Early Learning Resource Centers
Early Learning Resource Centers – provide information and access services that support high-quality childcare and early learning programs.
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Family Services of Chester County
Family Service of Chester County – provides life changing support for individuals and families by partnering with supportive members of the community for healing and growth.
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Maternal and Child Health Consortium
Maternal and Child Health Consortium – provides families with health care access, kindergarten readiness and prenatal health support.
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National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – an organization of families, friends and individuals whose lives have been affected by mental illness.
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Parent Mentor Information
Parent Mentor Information – provides direct support to parents, students and school districts in a variety of ways.
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Unionville Parent Resources & Information for Special Education (U-PRISE)
Unionville – Parent Resources & Information for Special Education (U-PRISE) – a place to share ideas and information, discuss programs, network with other parents and learn about special education processes.
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West Chester School District Preschool Parents Group
West Chester School District Preschool Parents Group – to attract and transition children and parents into the West Chester Area School District.
State and National Resources
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Along the Way
Along the Way – organization that provides support to single mothers to help break the cycle of poverty.
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Autism Services, Education, Resources and Training (ASERT)
ASERT – a resource center for Autism Services, Education, Resources and Training (ASERT) in the treatment and care of individuals with autism and their families.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – provides information about developmental milestones for children ages birth to age five.
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COMPASS
COMPASS – an online tool for access to health and human service programs, such as Medical Assistance.
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Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA)
Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA) – an organization that provides training and technical assistance to local early intervention programs, providing support and services to children with developmental disabilities and their families.
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HUNE
HUNE – a not-for-profit organization that provides free bilingual programs, supports and services on all aspects of special education from birth through age 26.
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PA Elks Home Service Program
PA Elks Home Service Program – a program that provides support and advocacy services to individuals of any age who have a developmental disability.
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Parent Education Network (PEN)
Parent Education Network (PEN) – a network that helps parents and caregivers meet the challenges of parenting through a program emphasizing encouragement, empowerment and mutual respect.
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Parent to Parent of PA
Parent to Parent of PA – a group that empowers and supports parents by connecting them with families of children and adults with special needs or disabilities who have had similar journeys.
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PaTTAN Family Information
PaTTAN Family Information – Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) provides support specialists that aid families in understanding the special education process and who share information and resources.
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PEAL Center
PEAL Center – PEAL, Pennsylvania’s Statewide Parent Training and Information Center, works with families, youth and young adults with disabilities and special health care needs to help them understand their rights and advocate for themselves.
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Pennsylvania's Promise for Children
Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children – a program offering tools that help children learn and grow, in partnership with the Office of Child Development and Early Learning.
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Read Aloud
Read Aloud – a national campaign to get parents and children to read together for 15 minutes every day.
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Special Kids Network
Special Kids Network – a helpline to assist providers and parents of children and youth with special health care needs gain access to local services and supports.
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The Pennsylvania Key
The Pennsylvania Key – an organization that collaborates with partners and community organizations to deliver educational, professional and administrative services to early childhood educators to enhance early learning experiences for young children.
Our Locations
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Preschool Special Education services are provided throughout the 12 school districts in Chester County.
Downloadable Documents
- Preschool Winter Wonderland
- Preschool Special Education Services and Intensive Behavioral Health Services FAQ
- Letter to Parents for PSN
- Chester County Early Childhood Collaborative Connections Brochure
- Parent Rights - English Version
- Parent Rights - Spanish Version
- Preschool Special Education Calendar
- Procedural Safeguards - English Version
- Procedural Safeguards - Spanish Version