Exceptional Children (Part One)

1975 federal law (amended in 1997) states that schools must guarantee that all children with disabilities receive "free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment." The statute requires that children with disabilities be educated with children who are not disabled, and that removal from the regular classroom may occur only when the nature or severity of the disability interferes with the successful delivery of aid and services. The 2004 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, IDEA, mandates that each student with a disability who is enrolled in the 's (EC) program have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).  Exceptional children are the designation for students who have different educational needs than the average child. Many children in exceptional children's (EC) programs have physical, mental, or social disabilities, but in North Carolina academically gifted children are also classified as EC. 

 

The goal of IDEA is to educate students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment possible. Every child has the legal right to a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment possible. EC programs are designed to meet each child's educational needs. Examples may include:

• A deaf child may be able to participate in regular classes with the help of a sign language interpreter.
• A mentally disabled child may need a specialized academic curriculum but may still be able to participate in physical education with other children his age.
• A child with an autism spectrum disorder may benefit from specific training in social skills.
• A student with learning disabilities may need extra time to complete standardized tests.
• An academically or intellectually gifted student may benefit from additional educational challenges.

EC programs provide these services and accommodations.

Students are often referred for possible EC placement by their teachers. Before a student enters the EC program, efforts should be made to meet his or her needs in the regular classroom using general education resources. If a team of educators and the student's parents agree that EC placement should be considered, an assessment is then conducted to determine whether the student qualifies. School psychologists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, and EC facilitators may assess different aspects of the student's functioning. Teachers are usually asked to contribute their understanding of the student's behavior, academic progress, strengths, and weaknesses.

 

If the student qualifies and enters the EC program, classification must be reviewed every three years to determine whether the student requires different services or should exit the program.  

• Autism
• Behavioral-Emotional Disabilities
• Deaf-Blindness
• Hearing Impairment
• Multiple Disabilities
• Mental Disabilities
• Orthopedic Impairment
• Other Health Impairment
• Specific Learning Disabilities
• Speech/Language Impairment
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Developmental Delay
• Visual Impairment

Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) sets forth requirements for States and local educational agencies (school districts) in providing special education and related services to children with disabilities, ages 3 through 21.

Substance Abuse and Recovery Support Systems 

Local panelists have been assembled by the Dare County League of Women Voters (LWV) for its first major event of the New Year.    A program entitled "Substance Abuse and Recovery Support Systems" is scheduled to take place  at 7 to 9 p.m.,  Thursday, January 27, at the Kill Devil Hills Town Hall.
 The public and LWV members are encouraged to attend this panel presentation which is free of charge.  Nancy Gilmore, Clinical Supervisor at New Horizons, will present 12 step programs as an adjunct to Out Patient Treatment and an overview of current programs.  Tim Hill, Executive Director of Dare County Coalition Against Substance Abuse and a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor will present physical characteristics of the disease concept.  Keith Gibson of Oxford House will describe the peer run recovery houses for men and women and some examples of referral systems from other outreach counselors.  Scott Bryant, Program Director at Dare Challenge will present his life story and a description of Dare Challenge, a faith based residential recovery program for men with life controlling problems.

                

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.  Membership is open to both women and men of voting age, will prove to be a rewarding experience.  For further information, please contact co-presidents:  Audrey Esposito, saesposito36@gmail.com, or Lori Williams lwms@embarqmail.com.

 

Lighten Up and Help The Outer Banks Hotline

Have you watched Peter Walsh's show, Enough Already? According to  Walsh, take EVERYTHING out of a room and put it in your driveway.  Create a vision for that room.   How do you want to feel in this space.  What do you see happening there?  Based on that, divide everything on the driveway:  keep those things that help build the vision and give the rest to  Hotline.  Peter Walsh wasn't that specific about who to give it to, but Hotline is a critical program in our community.

Outer Banks Hotline offers a wealth of much-needed programs and services to the communities of Dare County.  Hotline's well-trained and dedicated staff provide the community with years of crisis intervention experience in the areas of domestic violence and sexual assault response, prevention education, support groups, sudden death response and community outreach. Services include:

A 24-hour crisis phone line (473-3366) that connects a distressed caller to a volunteer trained to listen and make referrals. Topics include suicide, family problems, depression, substance abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault.

A comprehensive domestic violence program that includes shelter, advocacy, support and referral for victims and their children. The program also offers a Batterer's Intervention Group to address the roots of abusive behavior and facilitates a community interagency collaboration, the Domestic Violence Prevention Organization.

A sexual assault response program that provides the assault victim with a trained advocate at the hospital, during interactions with law enforcement and in court proceedings. Referrals for counseling options are also offered to the victim and family members.Somewhere in America, a woman is raped every 2 minutes, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

A variety of support groups to empower and educate survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse, groups to address the issues of men who abuse their partners and programs for children who are affected by violence and abuse in their families. Watch this Christina Aquelera power videoful on Domestic Violence.

Nonprofit Fundraising and Grant Writing

No matter how wonderful your organization, funds have to come from somewhere. Donations, Fundraising Events, and Grants are the major means. The Money Tree is not indigenous to the Outer Banks (or anywhere that I know of).

Several events will take place in the next months that nonprofits should pay attention to!

The Currituck-Dare Community Foundation is holding a Grantwriter Workshop on February 17, 2011, 1:30-4:00 PM, Towne Bank of Currituck, Hwy. 158, Grandy. Learn where to find grants, how to write the best applications, how to get ready, how to apply on-line, identify problems and pitfalls of grant writing. Register: to Peggy Birkemeier by Feb. 14
PH: 252-491-8166, or email: pbirknccommf@embarqmail.com.
Currituck-Dare Community Foundation is an Affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation. Information about the 2011 Currituck-Dare Community Foundation grants cycle will be available on March 01, 2011. Applications will be taken online. Shown to the right are 2010 grantees.
 

The Outer Banks Community Foundation is holding a Workshop on 'Fundraising in a New Reality' on February 2 , 8am - 12 pm, at the Ramada Inn in Kill Devil Hills.  Registration Registration is required.  Deadline for registration is January 25, 2011 Outer Banks Community Foundation at 261-8839 or admin@obcf.org.  The Outer Banks Community Foundation must receive  completed applications in the Foundation office by 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011.  The application process will be online. Above is grant recipient Hattaras Island Meals.

A collection of photos, graphics and words.

 

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