we need help getting a special needs aide for our 7yr old in greeneville,tn-any!
Question: we tried during kindergarten but they wouldnt budge at the school board level-she has mild cerebral palsy with seizures
Answers:
there is a federal law called IDEA--Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. what the law is--every child is entitled to a free appropriate education provided by the school district. the law also provides for specialized "adjustments" to help the child at school--i.e. an aide. the school board does not have a choice in the matter. IT IS A LAW! if they do not abide by this law, they lose federal funding. school boards bank on parents not knowing about this law. to find out more about this law, google IDEA. also, every state has education advocates for children who have troubles with school. these advocates are free of charge. i am in ohio so i'm not sure where you would call to get more help. you could see if your state has a Families First Council. Also, check with your local health department for any info on the Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps (BCMH). once again, another federally funded, free program. BCMH will provide for medical costs and may also be an advocate for your daughter's schooling. but remember, YOU ARE YOUR DAUGHTER'S BEST ADVOCATE! speak up, ask questions, ask more questions, DEMAND the assistance you deserve. another place you could look into is your county's MRDD. i'm not saying your daughter is mentally retarded but the DD stands for developmentally disabled. another place to try would be your state's Bureau of Early Intervention Services. i know all this because i worked in the Families First Council system for more than 2 years. i am a state certified service coordinator and dealt with issues such as this every day. i know how terribly heartbreaking it is to know your child needs help and to keep running into brick walls. i wish you and your daughter the best of luck in getting the education she not only deserves but is ENTITLED to. feel free to contact me if i can be of further assistance. good luck and god bless. :)
Other Answers:
Try a home health care service. or the health dept.
I think you should start looking at the state level for funding and support for your child. Your local school may not be willing to put out their money for your child but there are laws about this.
The state of NY (where I lived) paid for in home care from an aide (which is what I did) for a certain number of hours a week as well as a full time aide during the school hours. My mother also worked as a full time aide to a child in school, as did my father at one time. There must be some provisions. If your school cannot afford it, the state may be able to provide funding.
I would start at the webpage I'm sending below and start calling from the top of the list going down. If there is a listing there that is closest to your home try that one first.
You should be able to find someone who can help you get exactly what you need for your child.
(And I agree that she needs an Aide.)
Source(s):
http://www.cerebralpalsy.org/cerebral_palsy_links_resources/state%20pages/tennessee.html
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