Blue Valley Schools supports the Infant and Toddler Services of Johnson County. This community agency provides support services to young children who have been identified as having a developmental delay or a disability. Referrals can be made by parents or through community daycare providers and/or physicians. Children who continue to have developmental delays or a disability transition to Blue Valley Schools at age 3.

Blue Valley's early childhood special education program offers a range of services characterized by a transdisciplinary, play-based approach. Children with special needs begin preschool services on their third birthday. Decisions for service and placement are made by the Individual Education Program (IEP) team, which includes school staff and the parents/guardians.

Services include therapies on an appointment basis, service provision in a community setting, and services in an Early Childhood Special Education classroom with typically developing peers. Specialized Early Childhood Special Education classes designed for young children with autism are also available for those children whose needs cannot be met in other classrooms.

Students in elementary, middle and high school receive the educational supports they need based on their IEP. Each student's IEP team determines which services are necessary for the student to achieve the IEP goals which will allow them access to the general education curriculum. Service delivery models include:

• Collaborative in-class support - A student is served in the general education classroom with special education staff directly providing periodic assistance to the student. Special education staff also works with general staff to design accommodations or to modify the curriculum and/or materials.
  
  
• Learning centers or resource rooms - Students receive instruction from a special education teacher in an individual or small group setting but spend most of the day in the general education classroom.
  
  
• Center-based classrooms - Center-based classrooms provide highly structured, small group instructional activities for students with moderate to severe disabilities. These students receive intense specialized programming and are also integrated into general education classes to the greatest extent appropriate to their unique needs. Programs are located throughout the district, but not at every school. Should an IEP team decide that the center-based placement option best serves the student, transportation will be provided at no cost.

Blue Valley's 18-21 program provides services to students who are not ready to transition to a post-school environment. While in the program, students continue transition activities that prepare them to live and work in the community. These young adults develop employment skills and may be involved in recreation and leisure activities, community college classes and volunteer projects.

College Learning Methods for Transition Into Post-Secondary Studies (CLM for TIPS) is a collaborative program between participating school districts and Johnson County Community College (JCCC). This course is designed to provide college-bound high school seniors who have an IEP or 504 plan the opportunity to experience the realistic demands of college in a supportive environment on the JCCC campus. Topics include, but are not limited to, learning about individual strengths, career interest inventories, money and time management tips, accommodation services in college, life lessons and more. Students will also learn a series of strategies for processing information from textbooks and lectures, and how to effectively study for exams to help them meet the higher level demands encountered in regular college courses.

CLM for TIPS is a 3-hour, elective college credit course. Enrollment is by application only and students must meet the required eligibility criteria. Students who are selected are responsible for their own tuition and transportation. For more information about CLM for TIPS, contact the Transition Specialist at your high school.

Transition services are available for students age 14 - 21. Services focus on post-school outcomes so that students with disabilities are prepared to lead productive and independent adult lives. Blue Valley conducts transition assessment(s) and planning as students prepare to move from school to adult living. In order to facilitate a successful transition for students with disability-based IEPs, Transition Specialists in Blue Valley Schools work with IEP teams, students and families to:

• Identify students' needs and areas of strengths, interests, and preferences by conducting transition assessment activities.
  
  
• Use a variety of assessment data for effective transition IEP planning and goal development.
  
  
• Support instruction designed to promote independence through the development of self-advocacy, self-determination, appropriate social and behavior skills, as well as other essential adult life skills.
  
  
• Implement instruction and/or training for staff, students and parents related to best practices for transition knowledge and skills.
  
  
• Coordinate and facilitate vocational training programs in a variety of school and community settings through the Career Development Opportunities Program (CDOP).
  
  
• Facilitate enrollment in appropriate transition programs and area vocational technical programs.
  
  
• Facilitate transition into the district's 18-21 program for students age 18 - 21 who have completed high school graduation requirements but continue to demonstrate a need for ongoing transition support. (The student's IEP team determines eligibility and placement).
  
  
• Advocate for and provide current information and links to numerous adult services and supports that help students reach their desired post-secondary outcomes.