Exceptional Needs

Parents have difficulty finding child care for special needs children because the care is short in supply.  Many providers lack specialized training needed to care for children with special needs and those that do have specialized medical skills are simply not affordable.  The dilemma of caring for special needs children has forced many parents to cease working outside of the home. In addition to full-time care needs, many families may need part-time, respite from caring for their child. 

Children with disabilities are identified through the Special Education Local Planning Area (SELPA) and Local Educational Areas (LEA) and have a written plan to meet the child’s educational needs.  These plans are referred to as IEPs, Individual Education Plans, or for children under the age of three, IFSPs, Individual Family Service Plans.  These plans are the basis for enumerating the number of children identified as having special needs in the county.  El Dorado County has two SELPA’s reporting a total of 1,321 children with special needs as of December of 1999.

These numbers do not include children who may exhibit signs of emotional or behavioral disorders and do not qualify to receive services under either an IEP or an IFSP.  These types of diagnosis may include children with attention deficit disorder (ADD), hyperactivity, depression or children who function below average and fall through the cracks.

Resources:

*  Zero To Three
"New Visions for Parents materials have been developed for parents who are concerned about their child's development. Such parents may..."

*  Zero To Three: Choosing Care to fit Your Child’s Temperament
 "Parents are the real experts. You know your child better than anyone. You're also your child's first -- and most important -- teacher..."

*  Child Care Information Center
"Selected Resource Lists:  Inclusion, Publications, Organizations and Links..."

*    The Division for Early Childhood (EDC)
"The Division for Early Childhood (DEC) of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is a nonprofit organization advocating for individuals who work with or on behalf of children with special needs, birth through age eight, and their families..."

*   M.I.N.D. Institute:  Resources
"The links  will take you to web sites with information relevant to neurodevelopmental disorders and the M.I.N.D. Institute..."

*   Beginning Together 
The Institute is designed to build on the knowledge gained through the four (PITC) modules and enhance participants' abilities to provide training that supports providers in the care of infants and toddlers with disabilities and special needs.