Special Programs Department
The Special Programs department supports the mission and vision of Caledonia Community Schools by delivering a continuum of services to students, including those eligible under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. In collaboration with staff across the district, special programs personnel work to promote social, behavioral, and academic growth, while also connecting families with community-based resources.
Special Programs Core Values
- Diversity is part of the human condition and should be celebrated
- All students can learn
- All students benefit from high expectations
- Collaboration with families increases the likelihood students will achieve their goals
- A continuum of support that recognizes individual student gifts and areas for growth is necessary
Special Education
Special Education Services
Caledonia Community Schools provides special education programs and services in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE).
Supporting Students
When concerns arise about a student's academic, behavioral, social-emotional, or developmental progress, schools begin by identifying appropriate supports within the general education setting. These may include:
- Teacher consultation and classroom interventions
- Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
- Student Support Team (SST) problem-solving
- Accommodations and instructional strategies
If concerns continue despite appropriate interventions, a student may be referred for a comprehensive special education evaluation.
Special Education Eligibility
An evaluation helps determine whether a student:
- Has a disability as defined by IDEA and MARSE;
- Is not making adequate educational progress; and
- Requires specially designed instruction or related services because of the disability.
Eligibility and services are determined by the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team.
Individualized Education Program (IEP)
For students who qualify for special education, the IEP Team develops an Individualized Education Program (IEP) based on the student's unique needs.
The IEP identifies the specialized instruction, related services, accommodations, and supports the student needs to access and make progress in their education.
Least Restrictive Environment
Students with disabilities are educated alongside their nondisabled peers to the greatest extent appropriate. A student's IEP Team determines the educational setting and supports needed based on the student's individual needs.
Special Education Programs
Special Education Programs & Services
Caledonia Community Schools offers a continuum of special education programs and services to support the individual needs of students with disabilities. Services are determined through the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process and may include specialized instruction, related services, and additional supports.
Our special education team includes special education teachers, school psychologists, school social workers, speech and language pathologists, occupational and physical therapists, teacher consultants, related service providers, and support staff.
CCS also partners with Kent Intermediate School District (Kent ISD) to provide additional educational options and services for students.
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) | Ages 3–5
ECSE supports children ages 3–5 who qualify for special education services and demonstrate developmental delays in areas such as communication, cognitive development, motor skills, social-emotional development, or adaptive skills.
Students learn in a structured, play-based environment with individualized supports that promote school readiness, independence, and foundational learning skills.
Resource Program | Young Fives–Grade 12
Resource programs support students with a variety of disabilities who participate in the general education curriculum. Students receive individualized academic and/or social-emotional support based on their IEP.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Program | Young Fives–Grade 12
The Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Program supports students with ASD and/or related developmental disabilities. Individualized instruction and support may address communication, social interaction, emotional regulation, engagement, transitions, independence, and self-care.
Cognitive Impairment Program | Young Fives–Grade 12
The Cognitive Impairment Program supports students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Individualized instruction may focus on communication, functional academics, social-emotional development, motor skills, independence, and self-care.
Emotional Impairment Program | Young Fives–Grade 6
The Emotional Impairment Program supports students with an Emotional Impairment and/or related disabilities whose social, behavioral, or emotional needs significantly affect their ability to access the general education environment.
Individualized supports may focus on emotional regulation, social problem-solving, conflict resolution, safety, and successful participation in the school environment.
Special Education Resources for Parents/Guardians
Special Education Parent Resources
Families are important partners in the special education process. The following resources can help you understand special education services, navigate the IEP process, access your child's documents and connect with additional support.
Parent Advisors for Special Education (PASE)
Parent Advisors for Special Education (PASE) is a Kent ISD parent advisory committee that provides input on special education programs and services throughout Kent County.
Caledonia Community Schools PASE representatives help connect families with information, resources, and educational opportunities. As parents themselves, PASE members can also provide support and perspective to families navigating special education.
Understanding the IEP Process
Kent ISD, in collaboration with PASE, developed a parent-friendly handbook to help families better understand and navigate the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process.
View the IEP Parent Handbook
Explore Kent ISD Special Education Resources
Procedural Safeguards
Procedural safeguards explain the rights and protections available to students with disabilities and their parents or guardians under special education law.
View the Michigan Department of Education Procedural Safeguards Notice
Access Your Child's Special Education Documents
Families of students receiving special education services can use the MiPSE Parent Portal (Michigan PowerSchool Special Education) to securely access their child's finalized special education documents online.
Our MiPSE resource page includes information about the portal and resources to help families get started.
Child Find
Child Find Obligation
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Michigan law, Caledonia Community Schools has an ongoing responsibility to identify, locate and evaluate children who may have a disability and need special education and related services.
This responsibility applies even if a parent or guardian has not requested an evaluation. If the District suspects that a student may have a disability and may need special education services, the District must begin the Child Find process.
Child Find includes:
- Students who live within Caledonia Community Schools
- School of Choice students enrolled in the District
- Eligible children and students through age 26, as provided under Michigan law
- Students attending nonpublic schools, including homeschools, located within the District's boundaries, as applicable
Concerned about a child?
Parents and guardians do not need to know what disability a child may have or what type of evaluation may be needed. If you have concerns about your child's development, learning or educational needs, contact Caledonia Community Schools for assistance.
Resource:
Student Services
Student Services supports the academic, social, and emotional success of all students through inclusive programs and individualized supports, including Section 504, McKinney-Vento, and health services.
Section 504
Section 504 & Child Find
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination and ensures eligible students have equal access to educational programs, services, and activities.
Section 504 Child Find Notice
Caledonia Community Schools is required to identify, locate, and evaluate students who may have a disability and may qualify for accommodations or services under Section 504.
A student may be eligible for Section 504 protections if they have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
A referral for evaluation may be made by a parent/guardian, physician or school staff member.
Have Concerns About Your Child?
If you believe your child may have a disability and need Section 504 accommodations or services, please contact:
- Your child's building administrator
- Teacher
- School counselor or student support specialist
- District Section 504 Coordinator
Resources:
Parent and Educator Resource Guide to Section 504 in Public Schools
Section 504 Grievance Procedure
Nondiscrimination and Access to Equal Educational Opportunity
Students with Special Health Care Needs
Anti-Harassment
McKinney Vento (homeless/in transition)
McKinney-Vento Support
If your family is experiencing housing instability, your school-age children may qualify for certain rights and protections under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.
Your family may qualify if you are living:
- In a shelter
- In a motel or campground due to a lack of alternative adequate housing
- In a car, park, abandoned building, bus station, or train station
- Doubled up with other people due to loss of housing or economic hardship
Need Help?
If any of these situations apply to your family, or if you are concerned about someone else, please contact our McKinney-Vento Coordinator:
Camela Diaz
616-891-8185
Multilingual Learners
Multilingual Learners
Caledonia Community Schools supports Multilingual Learners in developing English language proficiency while achieving academic success. Through instruction that integrates language development with grade-level learning, we build on the strengths, languages, and cultural backgrounds each student brings to our schools.
Multilingual Learner Resources
Looking for additional information or support? Visit our Multilingual Learner Resources page for program information, helpful resources, and contacts at each CCS building.
Visit Multilingual Learner Resources
School Health Services
School Health Program
Caledonia Community Schools' Registered Nurses support the health and safety of students throughout the school day.
For detailed information about medication administration, self-carry medications and health care at school, visit our School Health Program page. You'll also find resources for managing health conditions such as severe allergies, asthma, seizures, diabetes and G-Tube care.
Visit the School Health Program
Special Programs Administration Office
Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm, M-F
Summer Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm, M-Th
Phone: 616-891-0219
Fax: 616-891-9253
8948 Kraft Ave SE
Caledonia, MI 49316
