Supplemental Services
Summer School |Intensive Day Treatment | Transitional Placement Class |Theraputic Instruction Program
SPARC | RESTART | Assistive Technology | Instructional Technology
The Orange-Ulster BOCES Special Education Center operates a summer school for students whose needs include a continuation of instructional and related services throughout the summer months. BOCES provides this program to sustain developmental levels that students have achieved during the school year to attain.
The Orange-Ulster BOCES operates a cooperative program with the Rockland Children's Psychiatric Center (RCPC) to provide short-term, intensive, educational, clinical and family support services for students ages 5 to 20 years who are experiencing severe emotional crisis. Educational services are provided by a BOCES teacher and para. Clinical personnel, including a psychiatrist and social workers, are provided by RCPC.
Providing needed services for disabled students in the Orange-Ulster Supervisory Districts is a challenge that the staff at the Special Education Center meets enthusiastically with the cooperation of local districts, parents and BOCES personnel.
Transitional Placement Class (TPC)
The Intermediate and Junior High programs at the Orange-Ulster BOCES offer classes for students ranging in age from 7 to 14 who are in need of intensive services. Intervention techniques are utilized to stabilize a student who is returning to school after a psychiatric hospital placement or who is in crisis and may, ultimately, result in a more restrictive placement.
The transitional placement class provides additional clinical support for students and is staffed by a child psychiatrist, social worker, two classroom para educators and a classroom teacher. The team works together and addresses students' needs with the goal of returning to previous class placement or to transition into a new class placement. Transitional program length is determined according to the recommendations of the team. The discharge process begins soon after admission with a visit to the target class. It is the goal of the transition class to achieve improvement in student behaviors.
Therapeutic Instruction Program (TIP)
The Therapeutic Instruction Program is a program model that focuses on the mental health and educational needs of adolescents. The purpose of the program is to provide intensive clinical intervention services in an educational setting to the young person as an alternative to in-patient care or as a more intensive treatment program than is afforded by other types of Orange-Ulster BOCES programs.
The benefits of this program are significant. This model offers the young person the opportunity to live at home (or in a foster group home) and still receive services, including intensive counseling, training in social interactions, vocational guidance and educational opportunities. It serves as an intervention step in those cases where early intervention can help prevent further or more intensive placement options.
This model also provides increased counseling services to improve the mental and emotional health of adolescents by providing clinical and other program services in an active treatment model, as well as to provide a more intensive mental health treatment option, to provide specific information, intervention and counseling in areas that create at-risk situations for young people, i.e., substance abuse, AIDS information, teen pregnancy, etc. Academic subjects are taught and physical fitness is stressed. Each individual is asked to develop self-expression through music, art, poetry, dance or other creative media.
Treatment modalities used include the following:
A therapeutic milieu where students receive supportive, active treatment services provided directly by BOCES staff, including an individual treatment plan based on the academic, social and emotional needs of the student.
Therapeutic recreational activities incorporated into the treatment mode.
Social activities to teach the skills necessary for successful community integration.
Vocational training and counseling including orientation to job seeking skills.
Individual counseling based on individual student needs.
Group counseling based on the needs of the group and their interactions.
Recommendations for family counseling as part of the the treatment planning process.
Review of specific services needed by individual students and recommendations for services.
SPARC (Supplemental Program for At-Risk Children)
Purpose: Provide students with a supportive environment, behavior management and educational tutoring to reduce at-risk behaviors and meet the home school's academic expectations. Classroom programming also provides the students daily group counseling to discuss their feeling and behaviors to encourage making personal changes related to their return to the home district.
SPARC is designed to offer a supplemental emotional and academic support system to nonclassified students ages 5-15. These students will have displayed behaviors that interfere with the learning environment and their ability to benefit from it. SPARC is appropriate for children and adolescents who exhibit some of the following characteristics: attention-seeking behavior, limited problem solving skills, poor impulse control, minimal social skills, defiance towards authority, lack of self control, problems with peer and/or family relationships, and a potential for verbal and physical aggression.
The program is short-term and transitional, yet comprehensive, linking the family, the home school district and community based services. A staff of highly-trained professionals works intensely with a group of 6-8 students.
After a period of 30 days, progress reports will be issued and recommendations will be made regarding plans to transition students out of the SPARC program. If the student is ready to begin this process, a transition plan will be developed by the SPARC Team. Thereafter, progress reports will be issued in 30 days.
SPARC accepts referrals from various school districts. The parent or guardian must approve the referral and participate in the intake process. Once a referral is received, an intake will be scheduled by the SPARC social worker. The child, parent and home school liason will attend the intake meeting.
Each student will leave the SPARC program with recommendations for families and school staff that will aid in maintaining a student's success in their future.
For more information regarding SPARC, contact the Liberty Street School at 845-342-0058, or the Junior High Office at 845-291-0250.
The RESTART Program, operated by Orange-Ulster BOCES and Arms Acres, is designed as an intensive day treatment program to assist students ages 12 to 18 during a time of substance abuse crisis. Students in trouble with alcohol and drugs receive individual and family support and treatment. For those returning from in-patient substance abuse treatment, the program will help bridge the gap between rehab and school.
Wendy Juenger, 291-0234
BOCES Assistive Technology Services (B.A.T.S.) provide complete alternate augmentative communication and computer access evaluations for students attending BOCES, upon referral from parents or staff. B.A.T.S. also provides thorough follow-up, training and inservice programs to keep staff and families informed about the availability and use of both high and low-tech devices. A lending library of equipment, materials and reference information is also available to staff and parents.
Provides support to help faculty prepare students for the furure through the use of technolgy. Classes are scheduled during the day and after school based on the needs of staff. Teachers are assisted in learning to integrate technology into their lessons and the state standards. Instructional Technology staff are available to consult in the Tech Lab or the classrooms.