Special Education

Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.

Special education provides individualized instruction and services for students who qualify under federal and state guidelines due to a disability affecting their ability to access or benefit from their education.

The YCSD Special Education Department serves more than 1,500 eligible students ages 3 through 21. Our team partners with families, educators, and specialists to identify student needs, develop individualized plans, and provide services that help students participate in meaningful learning experiences, build on their strengths, and work towards individual success.

Contacts

Main Office
757-898-0308

Termaine Hopkins
Director of Special Education
757-898-0455

Joy Richardson, Ed.D.
Associate Director of Special Education
757-898-0477

Lacie Harman
Coordinator of Special Education/Parent Family Liaison
757-833-2147

Evaluation & Eligibility

When concerns arise about a student's learning, development, behavior, communication, or other educational needs, families and school staff work together to determine the most appropriate supports. Access to special education services begins with a referral and evaluation process that helps identify a student's strengths, needs, and eligibility for services.

If an evaluation team determines that a student meets state and federal eligibility requirements for services or accommodations, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan is developed to outline the services and supports the student will receive. Families are important members of the team and play an active role throughout the evaluation, eligibility, and IEP process.

For more information or to refer a child to a Child Study Committee, please contact your child’s zoned school or contact the Special Education team at 757-898-0308.

Special Education Coordinators
Parent Family Liaison

Special Education Coordinators

Instructional Coordinators

Amy Stull
757-833-2490
Preschool

Lisa Randall
757-898-0411
Adaptive Instruction and Multiple Disabilities Programming

Lacie Harman
757-833-2147
Secondary Instruction and Transition

Trenice Durio, Ph.D.
757-890-1012
Elementary Instruction

Compliance Coordinators

Courtney Miller
757-898-0461
(YHS, GHS, GMS, SES, TES, MVES, and Communication Support Programming)

Frances DeVaughn
757-898-0459
(BMES, BHS, YRA, Out of Division placements)

Catherine Garnett
757-898-0460
(DES, MES, QLMS, YES, YMS, and Homebound Programming)

Amanda Thackeray
757-788-7301
(CES, GBES, WMES, TMS, THS, and Behavior Support Programming)

Parent Family Liaison

In accordance with HB 1089/SB220 school division should select a staff member to serve as a special education parent family liaison to be a resource to families to understand and engage in the special education referral, evaluation, reevaluation, and eligibility and Individualized Education Program (IEP) process.

Trenice Durio, Ph.D.
Coordinator of Special Education
757-890-1012

Services

Special Education Services

In compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and its federal and state regulations, students with disabilities, ages two to 21 inclusive, have the right to a free and appropriate public education. A student with a disability means a child who, after being evaluated in accordance with state regulations, is determined to have one of the following disabilities and, as a result, requires special education and related services:

autism
deaf-blindness
a developmental delay
a hearing impairment including deafness
intellectual disability
multiple disabilities
an orthopedic impairment
other health impairment
an emotional disturbance
a severe disability
a specific learning disability
a speech or language impairment
a traumatic brain injury
a visual impairment including blindness

Parent's Guide to Special Education

Early Childhood Special Education

For preschoolers, warning signs that may prompt the need to consider evaluation for special education may include (but are not limited to) markedly delayed language, physical, and/or social abilities. For school aged students, significant difficulties with learning may prompt discussions with teachers about the possible need to refer a student to a Child Study Committee to discuss intervention strategies and/or the need for an evaluation.

VDOE Early Childhood Special Education

Referral to Special Education Services

For more information or to refer a child to the school Child Study Committee, please contact the Principal or Assistant Principal at the student's zoned school or call the Office of Special Education at 757-898-0308. The Child Study Committee will discuss the reason(s) for the referral and determine, with the parents' involvement, whether or not a student needs an evaluation to consider the need for special education. Parents or community members may also contact the Office of Special Education for general information or questions at 757-898-0308.

VDOE Evaluation and Eligibility for Special Education

Resources for Families

York County School Division's Office of Special Education is committed to partnering with families to develop their child’s special education program. Special Education assists families with:

locating special education and disability related resources and services
understanding the special education process, laws, and procedures
engaging in the special education process
communicating between home, school, and community
engaging in the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)

Resources
Community Partners