Parent Resources
What if I have concerns for my child?
NEISEC Child Find, Referral for Process for Special Education Services
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A student’s parent or school personnel working with the student may make a referral or request for an educational evaluation. If the parent makes the request, the request must be made verbally or in writing to licensed personnel, such as a teacher, principal, or special education director. It is always a good idea for the parent to put the request in writing. Within 10 school days after the parent requests an educational evaluation, the school must provide the parent with written notice responding to the request, as well as a copy of the Notice of Procedural Safeguards (NOPS). If the school makes the referral for the evaluation, the school must provide the parent with written notice requesting consent to evaluate.
The Northeast Indiana Special Education Cooperative is an additional point of contact. Parents and school staff may reach out to the Northeast Indiana Special Education Cooperative for assistance in initiating special education by contacting:
Executive Director, Wendy Lane-Ginder, wginder@neisec.com 260-347-5236, 260.242.7078
DeKalb County Director, Rachel Burley, rburley@neisec.com, 260.242.8804
LaGrange County Director, Jeff Radel, jradel@neisec.com, 260.349.8122
Noble County Director, Joel Luckey, jluckey@neisec.com, 260.343.1117
Steuben County Director, Katie Yoder, kyoder@neisec.com, 260.499.1772
For preschool-age referrals,
If the child is preschool age (3-5), the request for testing should be directed to the Northeast Indiana Special Education Cooperative at 260-347-5236.
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Navigating the Course is an overview and a practical resource to assist families in navigating the special education rules.
Individual's with Disability Education Act (IDEA)
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law ensuring services to children with disabilities throughout the nation. IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education and related services to more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities.
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Children and youth (ages 3-21) receive special education and related services under IDEA Part B.
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Indiana's Special Educational Law, commonly referred to as simply "Article 7", contains Indiana's Special Education rules.
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Per Article 7, documentation must be provided in the native language of the parent. The Procedural Safeguards and Parent Rights are available in the following languages:
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Navigating the Course: Finding your way through Indiana's Special Education Rules
This companion to Indiana's Article 7 was written to provide an overview and a practical resource to help parents, advocates, school personnel, and students understand the requirements of Indiana’s special education rules, found at 511 IAC 7-32 through 48, commonly known as Article 7. This document is intended to serve as a companion guide to Article 7 and is not a substitute for Article 7. English | Spanish
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Indiana Resource Center for Autism
Parent support for children with autism
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1905 North Range Rd.
Bloomington, IN 47408-9801
Director: Cathy Pratt, Ph.D, BCBA
Email: prattc@indiana.edu
Phone: (812) 855-6508
Fax: (812)855-9630
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Special Education Parent Support
Email: insource@insource.org
Phone: 1 (800) 332-4433