Exceptional Children

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Policies Governing Services for Children with Disabilities Addendum

Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)

The mission of the Harnett County Schools' Exceptional Children’s Department is to provide specially designed instruction through a full continuum of services for students to prepare for a career, college, and community readiness. 

The vision of Harnett County Schools’ Exceptional Children’s Department is to ensure success for all students with disabilities while encouraging them to become contributing and productive citizens.

Services

We provide special education and related services as designated by the federal mandates of the Individual with Disabilities Act and the regulations of the North Carolina Public School Law, Article 9.

New to the Area?

If you are new to Harnett County and have a child who has been receiving special education services, you will need to register your child at the school within your home attendance zone.  You will also need to complete the following steps at this link:

• Complete an enrollment packet and ensure that you check "Yes" if your child has an IEP

• Complete necessary transportation form

• Share a copy of your child's most recent IEP, and any other relevant documents, which may include:

  • Current Evaluation or Reevaluation report

  • Current Eligibility

  • Any current psychoeducational reports

• Sign a "Release of Information" form for access to your child's educational records

These items will support a successful transition between your student’s old and new school and will ensure that appropriate services and supports are made available.

If your child requires specially designed instruction and you have any additional questions about enrollment, please feel free to contact the Exceptional Children's Office at (910) 893-8151.

What to Expect:

For out of state students: Once you have shared your student’s special education records, school staff will invite you to a meeting to discuss comparable services, or services similar to or the same as, provided on your student’s most recent IEP. During the meeting, school staff will also describe the initial eligibility process that occurs when students move from out of state and the timeline in which an initial North Carolina (NC) IEP will be developed.

For in state students but new to Harnett County Schools: School staff will begin implementing your student’s current NC on their first day of school. An invitation to review and revise your student’s IEP may be scheduled. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss your student’s transition to a new school and to determine if any adjustments to the services and supports currently being provided are needed.