Kindergarten through Transition Program
On behalf of local school districts, the Special Education department operates a variety of special day classes for severely disabled students, ages 5 to 22 years, who have physical, emotional, cognitive, or developmental disabilities. Over 400 special education students are served each day in SCOE classrooms. The program is administered regionally in an effort to locate these specialized classes as close to the students’ home schools as possible.
Districts may refer students to the Kindergarten through Transition Program as described on the Referral Process page.
Autism Specialty Programs
SCOE offers autism specialty programs that use a variety of methodologies, including TEACCH, Discrete Trial, Floortime, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), social cognition training, and relationship development. The department also participates in collaborative autism diagnosis through a partnership with the North Bay Regional Center and local districts.
SCOE/LifeWorks Program
The SCOE/LifeWorks Program was collaboratively developed by SCOE and the county’s mental health department to meet the needs of students between the ages of 5 and 22 who struggle with emotional and behavioral challenges. The program is dedicated to helping students manage significant emotional reactions, learn to behave responsibly, increase positive social interactions, increase resilience, and improve academic progress. The program consists of a continuum of special day classes designed to give students access to the core curriculum in a setting that allows them to benefit from individual, small group, and family counseling. Classes are located on local school campuses and mental health services are integrated into the school day. See this SCOE/LifeWorks Program description (pdf) for more information.
Transition Program
The Transition Program is designed to “teach work” to special education students and support their growth into adulthood. Program activities take place in the community – at work sites and other locations – with the goal of helping students acquire the skills to secure and maintain employment after they leave school. The daily living, academic, and domestic skills that are an integral part of working and the adult world are also emphasized. Transition students learn to ride public transportation, budget earnings, behave appropriately in public, follow directions, and more. This is a tiered program and students have the opportunity to advance through as many as five levels of instruction. As they progress, students fine-tune their work abilities, determine job preferences, and learn to work with growing independence.
SKIL, Social Knowledge and Interactive Learning
The SKIL program offers instruction for students on the autism spectrum, including those with Asperger’s Syndrome, non-verbal learning disorders, and other disorders that impact social cognition. These students have average to above-average intelligence, but lack the social skills necessary to be successful in mainstream classrooms. The program emphasizes language development, social skills development, and core academics.
Predator Awareness Task Force: A Community Partnership
In 2006, SCOE’s Special Education department and the North Bay Regional Center (NBRC) joined together to form the Predator Awareness Task Force in an effort to reduce the risk of victimization of students with developmental disabilities. This community partnership now includes representatives from various stakeholder groups and is providing information to help children and young adults with special needs stay safe, along with resources for parents and teachers who can help with this effort. Learn more and access resources …
Contact
SCOE Special Education
La Fiesta Educational Center
8511 Liman Way, Building A
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Fax (707) 792-4566
- Mimi Carroll, Principal, Region 3
(707) 524-2940, - Kelli Chorjel, School Office Coordinator, Region 4
(707) 524-2862, - Kimberley Gehl, School Office Coordinator, Region 2
(707) 524-2868, - Kathryn Hill, Principal, Region 4 and DHH Program
(707) 524-2862, - John Laughlin, Principal, Region 1
(707) 522-3208, - Janice Magnoli, School Office Coordinator, Region 1
(707) 522-3208, - Bonnie Peterson, School Office Coordinator, Region 3
(707) 524-2940, - Melinda Susan, Principal, Region 2
(707) 524-2868,