Who do we serve?

Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) is designed to serve babies and young children with developmental delays from birth to six years of age.  Under the direction of Nicole Halabi, Director of Special Education, the ECSE program provides special intervention for children with disabilities. 

Our team includes parents of the student, and staff: speech clinicians, an occupational therapist, early childhood special education teachers, educational assistants, and other therapists or teachers as indicated.

How are referrals made?
Persons concerned about the development of a child age birth-two years may call 763-433-4888 to schedule an assessment in the home.  For children three-five years, call 763-528-4448 for an appointment at the Family Center.  Referrals are made by parents, relatives, childcare providers, physicians, and school district screening programs. Contact number for the state of Minnesota 1-866-693-GROW.

An IFSP (Individual Family Service Plan) is written by the parents and staff for use in the home.  Services transition from home to school at about age three years.  An IEP (Individual Education Plan) is implemented in the school program.  ECSE classes are held in the Family Center.  Inclusion classes provide opportunities for students who are ready to expand their skills in the mainstream.  This approach benefits both children with special needs and their typically developing peers.

ECSE provides quality evaluations and programming for young children with disabilities or challenges. The goal of the team is to assist a child in moving toward functional and appropriate development in the areas of motor, language, vision, hearing, and cognitive, social, emotional, medical or adaptive behavior through POSITIVE LEARNING.

P ace geared for success
O ngoing informal assessment
S taff consistency
 I nclusion with support and without intrusion
T eam teaching
 I ntegration of speech/occupational therapies
V ariety of unit topics
E ducation for improving behaviors at home 
 
L aughter
E quipment and materials appropriate developmentally
A ction-based learning
R epetition for necessary practice
N arrowing the developmental gap
 I nteractive play
N aturally logical consequences to establish positive behaviors
G uidance for parents