Elmore County Board of Education

IEP Facilitators assist special education staff in providing appropriate services to students and maintaining compliance. The IEP Facilitator assists IEP teams, administration, professional staff, and support staff with the effective implementation of federal, state, and local mandates. Responsibilities of the IEP Facilitator include planning and providing professional development for special education staff, serving as a resource person in the area of student services and compliance, and monitoring the special education process with all special education staff for compliance.

Behavioral Specialists work with students having behavioral, social, or emotional issues. These services may involve counseling with students, creating or revising behavior management plans for school and home, conducting classroom observations, and meeting with school staff and parents. Elmore County's Behavior Specialists also provide educational resources and professional development on behavior management techniques, conduct all required manifestation determination meetings, and assist IEP teams in conducting functional behavior assessments (FBA) and developing behavior intervention plans (BIP).

Student Services Facilitators coordinate program services for students who are in need of assistance in academic, social, behavioral, and/or emotional areas. Elmore County currently employs six SSFs who serve individual communities. The SSF works cooperatively with teachers, counselors, paraprofessionals, staff, parents, and other agencies in securing services, acquiring/developing resources, non-school referrals, etc., on an as-needed basis. Responsibilities of the SSF include coordinating special education referrals and reevaluations, serving on IEP team and eligibility committees, and serving as a local educational agency (LEA) representative.

School Psychometrists administer, score, and interpret intelligence, achievement, developmental, and other tests on students who may be gifted or who are suspected of having a disability. These results, along with other data, are used to determine eligibility for special education services. Psychometrists participate in eligibility meetings to explain assessment results to stakeholders. Elmore County currently employs six psychometrists/school psychologists who serve our five communities.

Preschool Special Education is designed for preschool-aged students, beginning at three years old, who live in Elmore County Public School’s service area. In addition to direct service provision, there is consultation with parents and preschool teachers. Services are provided in preschools and daycare programs. If an eligible student does not attend preschool or daycare, parents have the option to bring their child in to our Millbrook or Wetumpka locations for services. Elmore County currently employs two Preschool Special Education teachers and two Preschool Speech Language Pathologists.

Special Education Teachers provide essential support for students with disabilities. Our special education teachers work both in special education classrooms and general education inclusive classrooms providing instruction to students with mild to severe educational needs. These teachers provide accommodations and/or modifications to the general education curriculum and specially designed instruction as required by the students’ Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Special Education Paraprofessionals provide essential support for students with disabilities. Under the supervision of a certified teacher or related services provider, paraprofessionals work both in special education classrooms and general education inclusive classrooms assisting students with mild to severe educational needs. Paraprofessionals provide instructional support, help accommodate materials, and provide personal care assistance/support as required by the students’ Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Speech Language Pathologists (SLP) are experts in communication. Elmore County's SLPs identify students with communication disabilities and implement appropriate treatments to minimize adverse impact on student success in the education environment. Speech and Language therapy may involve speech sounds, language, social communication, voice, and fluency.

Physical Therapy (PT) is provided as a related service for students who have been determined eligible for special education services under the Alabama Administrative Code. Once eligibility is established, students are evaluated by a licensed physical therapist to determine whether they meet the criteria for school‑based physical therapy services.

School‑based physical therapy supports a student’s ability to safely and successfully access and participate in the educational environment. Services focus on functional skills such as posture, muscle strength, mobility, balance, and motor planning as they relate to school routines and activities. Physical therapy services may include direct intervention, consultation with school staff, collaboration with the educational team, recommendations for adaptive equipment, classroom positioning, safety considerations, and strategies to address gross motor needs that impact a student’s educational performance.

Occupational Therapy (OT) is provided as a related service for students who have been determined eligible for special education services under the Alabama Administrative Code. Once eligibility is established, students are evaluated by a licensed occupational therapist to determine whether they meet the criteria for school‑based occupational therapy services. School‑based occupational therapy differs from clinical or medical occupational therapy in that services are provided only when occupational therapy is necessary for a student to access and benefit from the educational environment.

In the school setting, occupational therapy focuses on skills related to academic participation, play and leisure, social engagement, self‑care activities (Activities of Daily Living), and transition or work‑related skills. Elmore County occupational therapists support students in developing, improving, or restoring fine motor, sensory processing, and self‑help skills that impact school performance. Based on the evaluation results, occupational therapists provide interventions, accommodations, and strategies designed to promote independence and participation at school. Services may be delivered through direct intervention or consultative support, depending on the individual needs of the student.

Vision Services and Orientation & Mobility (O&M) are provided as related services for students who have been determined eligible for special education services under the Alabama Administrative Code. Once eligibility is established, students are evaluated by a qualified vision specialist to determine whether they meet the criteria for school‑based vision and/or orientation and mobility services. These services differ from clinical or medical services in that they are provided only when necessary for a student to access and benefit from the educational environment.

Elmore County’s Vision Specialist is responsible for providing vision and orientation/mobility services to students with visual impairments. School‑based services focus on skills that support educational participation, such as accessing instructional materials, navigating the school environment safely and independently, and developing functional visual and mobility skills needed for school routines and activities. The Vision Specialist collaborates with IEP team members, general education teachers, families, physicians, and other vision and mobility professionals to provide consultation, resources, training, and recommendations. Services may be delivered through direct instruction or consultative support, depending on the individual needs of the student.

Adaptive Physical Education is provided to students whose disabilities impact their ability to safely and successfully participate in the general physical education program. APE is not automatically required for all students with disabilities and is provided only when a student’s individual needs cannot be met through accommodations or modifications within the general PE setting.

Elmore County’s Adaptive Physical Education coaches work with students who have physical, developmental, or emotional needs to ensure meaningful participation in physical education. Instruction is adapted to meet each student’s skill level and abilities while promoting physical fitness, motor development, social interaction, and lifelong movement skills. An individualized plan is developed for each student, and instructors work collaboratively with the IEP team to help students progress toward their identified goals in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Elmore County’s Homebound Program is provided to students whose medical, physical, or documented behavioral needs prevent them from attending school for a period of time. Homebound services are considered only when appropriate documentation indicates that a student is unable to participate in the school setting, even with supports, accommodations, or behavior interventions in place.

Eligibility for homebound services is determined by the IEP team following a review of required documentation, which may include physician statements or other professional documentation related to the student’s needs. In some cases, students may be placed on homebound services due to behavioral concerns when documentation supports that the student is unable to safely access the school environment at that time.

When approved, homebound instruction is designed to provide continued access to the general education curriculum and to support progress toward academic, behavioral, and transitional goals as outlined in the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), to the extent appropriate during the placement.