Student Services Home

The department provides leadership and oversight for special education programs and services across the district. This includes supporting instructional programming, related services, individualized supports, staff collaboration, and service delivery models that help meet the needs of eligible students.

The department supports the district’s Child Find responsibilities for students in preschool through eighth grade. This includes helping identify, locate, and evaluate students who may need special education and related services, while supporting early intervention, referral processes, family communication, and access to appropriate evaluations.

The department supports the development, implementation, and review of Individualized Education Programs for eligible students. This includes collaboration with school teams and families to ensure that services, goals, accommodations, modifications, and supports are aligned with each student’s unique needs.

The department coordinates with related service providers and school based teams to support students’ academic, communication, social emotional, behavioral, functional, and developmental needs. This collaborative approach helps ensure that services are connected, responsive, and focused on student growth.

The department serves as the district liaison with the Special Education District of Lake County to coordinate services, placements, communication, and support for students who require specialized programming. This partnership helps ensure that students and families receive appropriate services through coordinated planning and collaboration.

The department supports students and families experiencing homelessness by helping ensure school access, continuity of services, enrollment support, transportation coordination, and connection to available resources. This work supports stability, dignity, and educational access for students facing housing insecurity.

The department works in partnership with families to support student success. This includes providing clear communication, supporting participation in meetings and planning, helping families understand services and processes, and promoting collaborative relationships among families, schools, and service providers.

The department helps ensure that student services and special education practices align with district procedures, Illinois requirements, and federal laws, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This includes supporting timelines, documentation, evaluations, eligibility processes, procedural safeguards, service implementation, and required reporting.

The department provides guidance, consultation, and professional learning for staff who support students with disabilities and other student service needs. This includes support related to special education procedures, instructional strategies, accommodations, behavior supports, inclusive practices, and compliance responsibilities.

The Student Services Department is committed to equitable access, inclusive practices, and continuous improvement. Through data review, collaboration, program evaluation, and responsive planning, the department helps strengthen services and supports so that all students have the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.