Special Services

Mountain Lakes Student Support Services provides programs, placements, and related services to meet the needs of children who are eligible to receive special education services.   We hope that this website will be a resource to parents and educators as you navigate through the sometimes complex special education system. 

Mission Statement

The mission of the Student Support Services Department is to provide an appropriate education for students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment that will enable them to reach their potential both academically and personally. Our philosophy is one of inclusive education. We believe that "all students can achieve" when provided with appropriate accommodations, modifications or supplemental aids and services. We work closely with families, students, colleagues and various professionals in order to promote success for every student. 

The Special Services Department includes special education teachers, child study team members, speech/language specialists, related service providers and teacher assistants.  Together we plan and provide educational programs for students with disabilities in conjunction with general education staff, administration and parents.  

McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program

The Stewart B. McKinney-Vento Education of Homeless Children and Youth (McKinney-Vento EHCY) program provides homeless students with protections and services to ensure they enroll in and attend school; complete their high school education and be positioned for success after graduation, so they may avoid poverty and homelessness as adults.  Of the over 1.3 million children and youth experiencing homelessness in the United States, more than 10,900 homeless children and youth were identified in the state of New Jersey during the 2016-17 school year.

The McKinney-Vento EHCY program ensures homeless children and youth have equal access to a free, appropriate public education and are able to enroll in and attend school. The program funds supplemental academic support services for homeless children and youth to ensure their school success.

Policy

5116 - Education of Homeless Children

More Information to Come!

The Special Services Department of the Mountain Lakes School District, in compliance with Project Child Find, conducts evaluations, if warranted, for those children and/or adult students who may have learning difficulties in the areas of cognition, communication, social/emotional and motor functioning.  The evaluations are available to preschool children aged 3-5, to school aged children 6-21, to highly mobile students such as migrant and homeless students, and to students who may have a disability although they are advancing from grade to grade.

Children or adult students who are found eligible for special education and related services are entitled to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE). 

For more information on Project Child Find, contact the Mountain Lakes Department of Special Services at 973-334-2587.

The New Jersey Department of Education also has information on their website at https://www.nj.gov/health/fhs/eis/public-reporting/child-find/.