Agencies & Organizations

211summit.org:  Information and Referral Service in Summit County, including Lifeline, MedAssist, Homeless Services.

Adoption: PASSS/Post-Adoption Special Service Subsidy:  $10,000 per child funding for treatment of a physical, developmental, mental or emotional condition. Applies to International, Attorney, Public or Private adoptions. $15,000 per child, if residential treatment is required.

Adoption and Attachment Therapy Center:  treatment center for Attachment Disorders, Trauma, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in children. (Accept PASSS subsidies, above.)

Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services Board of Summit County:   Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Suicide Prev., Alcohol/Gambling Addiction Services.  See below for more mental health substance abuse resources.

      Interval Brotherhood Home: Addiction Treatment Center, Family Education Program

      Oriana House: Community Corrections and chemical dependency treatment

      Drug Rehab:  Information, resources & treatment for individuals dealing with addictions and related conditions.

BeST Center at NEOMED:  Best Practices in Schizophrenia Treatment (BeST) Center

Blick Center: PT, OT, SLP Therapies, Behavioral Health Services, Case Management for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron

Child Guidance and Family Solutions Comprehensive services for children of all ages, toddler to teens.

Children's Health Insurance Programs (CHIP): Provides free or low-cost health coverage for children up to 19. 

Coleman Behavioral Health: Comprehensive services for children, adolescents and adults

University Hospitals/Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital

Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital

County of Summit Board of Developmental Disabilities: Services for qualifying youth and adults who have a developmental disability and/or functional limitations in multiple life domains.

Greenleaf Family Center: Parenting classes, counseling, anger mgmt., financial counseling, services for the deaf, interpreter services.

Northeast Ohio Disability Resources Guide

Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities:  OCECD/Parent Mentors of Ohio

Ohio Dept. of Education/Office for Exceptional Children: Special Education Resources

Ohio Employment First: State level directive that community employment is the preferred outcome for all individuals with disabilities.

PACER Center:  Assistance Center for Children with disabilities and their families.

Rainbow Babies & Children's/University Hospital:  Pediatric Hospital, Physicians & Outpatient treatment. 

Rainbow Babies & Children's: Financial Assistance Services/Programs

Shelter Care: Temporary shelter for runaways, youth under house arrest or families and children in crisis.

Social Security:  Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for Children with Disabilities Guidelines

Social Security: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for adults who are disabled, 18 and over Guidelines

State Support Team Region 8: Provides free technical support and educational opportunities for families so they can become knowledgeable participants in their child's education.

Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library:  Books, e-books, dvd's, classes, homework help for children, teen's & adults.

Summit County Children's Services:  Safety & welfare agency, kinship, foster & adoption services/funding.

Summit County Educational Service Center: provides professional development and programming to member schools, including Stow-Munroe Falls City.

Summit County Juvenile Court: Addt'l specialty dockets in Mental Health/Substance Abuse (Crossroads) and Developmental Disabilities (New Paths.)

Summit County Jobs and Family Services: Funding agency of food assistance, medicaid, childcare assistance programs.

Summit County Public Health Dept.: Provides immunizations, community care, alcohol and drug assistance

The Emily Program in Cleveland:  Comprehensive Eating Disorder Treatment

List of School Counseling Topics & Resources

General Helpful Websites:

http://www.smarterparenting.com/resources/

http://www.sesamestreet.org/toolkits

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/

• Anger management

  • Listen When Angry or Upset Video-Story for Kids

    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IqVJHVkTLE

  • Interactive Exercises to Get Your Feelings Out

    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkKLz61RHXo

  • Anger Management for Children

    • http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/praise-discipline/anger-management-children

  • Tips for dealing with an angry child effectively

    • https://www.empoweringparents.com/article/calm-parenting-anger-management-in-children-and-teens/

• Anxiety

  • Are you worrying about your anxious child? You are not alone.  Learn about different types of anxiety, red flags, causes, etc.

    • http://www.worrywisekids.org/

  • See the signs of anxiety, anxiety disorders, and interventions.

    • https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources/mental-health/mental-health-disorders/anxiety-and-anxiety-disorders-in-children-information-for-parents

• Bullying & Cyberbullying

  • Know the facts about bullying, even if you don’t think it affects your child

    • http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/social-emotional-skills/bullying-and-teasing-no-laughing-matter

  • Prevent & Address Cyberbullying Behaviors

    • http://www.schoolcounselor.org/magazine/blogs/may-june-2012/prevent-and-address-cyberbullying-behaviors

• Divorce

  • Facts and Ideas for helping children through divorce

    • https://www.aamft.org/iMIS15/AAMFT/Content/consumer_updates/children_and_divorce.aspx

• Teasing

  • Book: Simon’s Hook: A story about teases and put-downs by Karen Gedig Burnett

  • YouTube videos based on Simon’s Hook (3 parts)

    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28G_T1yzGG8 (Part 1)

    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtGeLe84ybk (Part 2)

    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V5jLTOx9Dw (Part 3)

Disability Specific Info

People First ... Disability Second:  People First Language emphasizes the person, not their disability, and helps to diminish the use of outdated and offensive language.  It helps break down barriers, foster mutual respect, and open lines of communication and acceptance.  Incorporating People First Language into our everyday language through both the spoken word and written communications demonstrates that all people are unique and respected for who they are. For more information on People First Language and examples of use, please visit: https://www.thearc.org/who-we-are/media-center/people-first-language

ADD/ADHD

Additude: Additude Magazine/Webinars/Publications

Nat'l Center for Learning Disabilities: Comprehensive info. on all types of learning challenges

LD online: Leading website on learning disabilities and ADD/ADHD

Autism and Asperger's

ASPIES: Asperger Support Group of Greater Akron

Autism Society of Ohio: Ohio Chapter of the Autism Society 

Organization for Autism Research (OAR): Research based information on ASD's

Behavioral/Emotional/Mental Health

Coleman Behavioral Health: Assessments, counseling, treatment for a variety of mental health challenges

National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) Summit County: Support Groups, family workshops

Greenleaf Family Center:Youth and parenting workshops, counseling, anger mgmt. services

BeST Center at NEOMED: Best Practices in Schizophrenia Treatment (BeST) Center

Emotional Disturbances: Definition and guidance on emotional disturbances from Ohio Dept. of Ed. under IDEA

Summit County Suicide Prevention Coalition:  Resources for suicide prevention (Emergencies - always call #911) 

Summit Psychological Associates: Psychiatric and psychological services/evaluations, counseling, substance abuse, developmental disabilities, guardianship evals. etc.

Hearing Impairments

The Ohio Center for Deafblind Education: For individuals birth thru 21, free technical assistance to families, schools

Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center: Resources and links to deafness, hearing loss and impairments, Auditory Processing Dis.

Ohio Hands and Voices: Supporting individuals through parent-professional collaboration

Greenleaf Family Center: Community Services for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Interpreter Services

American Speech and Hearing Association:  Hearing resources and links

American Sign Language Pro: Video sign language dictionary, ASL learning tools for various ages

Signing Time Kids: Learn to sign, for kids and adults. Games, videos, plus more! 

University of Akron Audiolgy & Speech Center:  Comprehensive audiology services

Epilepsy

Epilepsy Advocate: Website/Webcasts/Sign up for their free magazine 

Epilepsy Foundation: Comprehensive seizure information 

Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Resources, toolkit, training resources

Cognitive/Intellectual Disabilities

Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council: Promoting inclusion, independence, productivity for those with developmental issues.

County of Summit Board of Developmental Disabilities:  Local county agency to obtain services for the developmentally disabled.

Ohio Dept. of Ed. - Intellectual Disabilties:  Definition and guidance info. of an individual w/an intellectual disabiliity under IDEA

ARC of Ohio: State level advocacy group for those with developmental disabilities.

Ohio Dept. of Ed. - Multiple Disabilities:  Definition and guidance info. for an individual with multiple disabilities under IDEA.

Learning Disabilities

National Center for Learning Disabilties: Complete info. on all types of learning disabilities, webinars, e-books & more.

LD Online: Comprehensive site for information on learning disabilities.

International Dyslexia Association: Resources, publications, provider/tutor search tool.

International Dyslexia Association of Northern Ohio: local chapter, resources and conference info.

Children's Dyslexia Center of Canton: Provides free one on one instruction in Orton-Gillingham

to school age children 5-18. 

Ohio Dept. of Ed. - Specific Learning Disabilites: Definition and guidance info. for an individual with a SLD under IDEA

LD Resources:  Links Page to everything committed to learning disabilities

Other Health Impaired

Ohio Dept. of Ed. - Other Health Impaired: Minor and Major.  Definition and guidance info. for an individual categorized OHI under IDEA.  * Minor: See also, ADD/ADHD or Learning Disabilities for more information.  *Major:Students that are medically fragile. All students eligible for Special Education services under the OHI category require "specially designed instruction" rather than an accommodation plan under Section 504.

Orthopedic Impairment

Ohio Dept. of Ed. - Orthopedic Impairment Definition and guidance info. for an individual with an orthopedic impairment/IDEA

Orthopedic Impairments Website: Info. for students, families, teachers and schools!

Easter Seals Northern Ohio:  Adaptive equipment for loan up to 3 months:  walkers, crutches, wheelchairs etc.

National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability: NCHPAD, all things related to physical fitness, mobility, wellness. 

Speech/Language Disorders

Speech vs Language Disorders = What's the Difference?

Speech Disorder: When a person is unable to produce speech sounds correctly or fluently, or has problems

with his or her voice, then he or she has a speech disorder. Difficulties pronouncing sounds, or articulation disorders, and stuttering are examples of speech disorders. 

Language Disorder: When a person has trouble understanding others (receptive language), or sharing thoughts, ideas, and feelings completely (expressive language), then he or she has a language disorder.

American Speech Hearing Association: Publications and resources on speech/language disorders. 

University of Akron Audiology and Speech Center  Comprehensive speech and language services.

ARK Therapeutics:  A therapist answers questions re:  Oral Motor, sensory, tooth brushing and feeding.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Ohio Dept. of Ed. - Traumatic Brain Injury: Definition and guidance info. for an individual with a TBI.

The Brain Injury Association of Ohio: Prevention, Resources, Support Groups etc. across Ohio

University of Akron Audiology and Speech Center:  Speech and Language Services for those with a TBI.

Community Club House for Brain Injury : Summit County Resource for TBI services

Visual Impairments

Ohio Dept. of Ed. - Visual Impairments: Definition and guidance for an individual with a visual impairment.

The Ohio State School for the Blind:  Resources, publications, support, groups

The Ohio Center for Deafblind Education:  For those with both vision and hearing losses.

• Early Entrance Letter
• Early Entrance Application 
• Early Entrance Permission Form

The acronym “EL” refers to English Learners. An EL student is defined as a child whose home language is not English and who is not currently able to perform ordinary classroom work in English.

Dear EL Parents and/or Guardians:

Welcome to Stow-Munroe Falls City School District!

This handbook offers an explanation of the program and regulations for EL students. The handbook may also serve as a reference in case you ever wish to look up a frequently asked question or a commonly used EL term or phrase.

If you have any questions that are not addressed in this handbook, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s EL teacher.

Sincerely,

Kristen Prough, Director, Special Services

st_kprough@smfcsd.org

Beth Trivelli, EL Consultant

st_btrivelli@smfcsd.org

 

Please click on the links below to find comprehensive information regarding the

Stow-Munroe Falls City School District's English Learners Program:

EL Parent Brochure

EL Family Handbook

Eye Exam for Initial IEPs

For the past several years, Ohio law requires that every student who is identified with a disability for the first time and begins receiving services under an IEP shall have a comprehensive eye exam performed either by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist. If such an examination has been completed for your child within nine months prior to the initial eligibility determination, that exam will meet the requirement. The law further specifies that the parent, not the school district, has full financial responsibility for this examination. Recent legislation now requires school districts to report the number of students placed on an IEP for the first time that have had an eye exam. It is important that you notify your school district's special education office when your child has an eye exam. Although students who have not had an eye exam cannot be denied services, the school district will need to report this information. For additional information, contact your school district's special education office.

Gifted Resources

SMFCSD Office Of Gifted Resources Plan 

The Ohio Association for Gifted Children

OACG's mission is to To promote and support the development of gifted students through dissemination of information, advocacy on their behalf, encouragement of affiliate organizations, and to promote research and education for gifted children.

William and Mary: Center for Gifted Education

The Center for Gifted Education (CFGE) is a research and development center providing services to educators, policy makers, graduate students, researchers, and parents in support of the needs of gifted and talented individuals.

Davidson Institute Gifted Database

The Davidson Gifted Database is your gateway to resources for and about gifted students. This database features easy search capabilities for articles, resources and state policy pages to help students, parents and educators pinpoint gifted information.

GT World

GT World is an on-line support community for parents of Gifted and Talented children...we strive to provide a warm, comfortable, yet challenging environment in which to explore intellectual giftedness and the issues which surround it. These include parenting and advocating for our children, teaching them how to advocate for themselves, the experience of growing up gifted, obtaining an appropriate education, helping gifted kids with learning disabilities, and the wide range of other issues which tend to be flavored strongly by the our children's "difference". To this end, we provide a number of ways for community members to get together.

Hoagies Gifted Education

A comprehensive resource guide for education of gifted children. It's full of great information, with links to the most complete, easiest to use, resources on nearly every aspect of gifted education available on the Internet, plus lots of annotations and first hand information provided by parents facing the same challenges that you are facing..."

Dr. Sylvia Rimm

Dr. Sylvia Rimm has gained a national following by her practical and commonsense advice. She directs Family Achievement Clinic at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio, and is a clinical professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Families come from all over the United States for help. Dr. Rimm speaks and publishes nationally on family and school approaches to guiding children toward achievement.

National Association for Gifted Children 

NAGC staff and leaders support and develop policies and practices that encourage and respond to the diverse expressions of gifts and talents in children and youth from all cultures, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and socioeconomic groups. NAGC supports and engages in research and development, staff development, advocacy, communication, and collaboration with other organizations and agencies who strive to improve the quality of education for all students.

• Immunization Summary for School Attendance
• District Medication Policy
• Medication Forms:
  • Non-Prescription Medication Form
  • Prescription Medication Form
• District Lice Policy
• When Should I Keep My Student Home?
• School Health Flu Info
• School Asthma Treatment Plan
• Allergy Action Plan
• Seizure Action Plan

Homelessness

MCKINNEY-VENTO HOMELESS RESOURCES FOR AWARENESS

The purpose of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Children and Youth Program, under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), is to ensure that all children and youth, including preschoolers, have equal access to the same free and appropriate public education, as non-homeless children and youth.

A Parent's Guide to the Rights of Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness: Click Here.

Copies are also made available in your school's office and from your school's Counselor.

Homeless Liaison: Julie Miller, Curriculum Supervisor grades 7-12

IDEA-B Funds 2017

IDEA-B Special Education Funds 2019

IDEA-B Special Education funds are federal dollars allocated to State Departments of education and given to school districts for the purpose of providing educational services, resources and supports for students with disabilities.

Previously, IDEA-B entitlement funds were distributed to districts based upon the number of children identified with disabilities, ages three through 21, as reported in the school district’s December 1st child count. Beginning with FY2002, special education grant awards were allocated upon a base amount for each LEA, additional funds based upon population (85%) and poverty (15%) and any discretionary funds the state may provide. Under this new means of formula calculation, Stow-Munroe Falls City School District will receive approximately $1,074,770.05 (IDEA-B) for special education expenditures during the 2019-2020 school year. The grant money is to be used only for special education programming and resources for special education students and will be obligated only after the project application is approved by the Ohio Department of Education, Division of Special Education. Additionally, under IDEA-B, children with disabilities enrolled in chartered nonpublic schools are eligible to receive IDEA-B benefits through the participating public school district in which the nonpublic school is located when they are provided special education and related services. Therefore, Holy Family Parochial school will be eligible to receive a portion of the entitlement funds identified above ($21,042.18).

Stow-Munroe Fall City Schools’ IDEA-B funds have been used to partially fund the salaries of the District Special Service Director, Supervisor, and pay for six full-time Special Education teachers. Monies have also been used to pay for staff professional development and to purchase technology and classroom supplies for students and teachers. Additionally, the grant monies have been used to pay the tuition for special education students attending specialized programs outside our district. 

Click here for a short presentation regarding the expenditure of IDEA-B funds that was presented to the Board of Education on September, 25, 2019.

School employees and district residents are encouraged to contact Kristen Prough, Director of Special Services, at 330.689.5431 with any comments regarding the expenditures of these funds. The grant application and all funds pertaining to the project will be available for review at the Board of Education Office, 4350 Allen Road, Stow, OH 44224.

Annual Public Notification in Stow-Munroe Falls posted on district website for public review.

(March 2020)

Lil' Bulldogs Preschool

The major objective of the Stow-Munroe Falls City Schools Developmental Preschool is to provide a positive learning environment through a child-centered program. The program will provide classroom experience that includes: skills assessment and development activities; parental involvement in the planning and implementation of individual child programs; and promotion of intellectual, social and physical growth accepting each child on an individual developmental level. This program will allow children to solve problems independently, to encourage communication and to explore material and interest through quiet and active play.

PEER ROLE MODELS 

Preschool Peer Application:

Preschool Peer Screening:

• Ages and Stages Questionnaire 33 Month
• Ages and Stages Questionnaire 36 Month
• Ages and Stages Questionnaire 42 Month
• Ages and Stages Questionnaire 48 Month
• Ages and Stages Questionnaire 60 Month

PRESCHOOL PEER MODEL 

1. Preschooler with a Disability: A child between the ages of three and five who demonstrate delays in one or more areas of development during the screening process. Areas of delay include communication, motor, social/emotional/behavior, adaptive, cognitive and visual hearing impairments. This screening/evaluation process involves play-based activities, parent interview, formal and informal assessment.
2. Peer Model: a child between the ages of three and five who does NOT have special needs can apply to the program as a peer model. A screening is completed prior to acceptance into the program. Peer models must be completely toilet-trained and demonstrate good play skills (appropriate toy play, engagement with others, taking turns, etc.).

• Your child has been selected as a peer in the program;
• Your child has not been selected as a peer;
•  The results of the screening indicate that your child is experiencing a delay in one or more areas of their development. The parent will be contacted at a later time to discuss the possibility of additional evaluations.

Please understand that not all children who apply to the program will be accepted. If your child is accepted, the acceptance letter will include the steps and documents needed for registration. 

Click here to view the State Support Team's Parent Access Collaborative (PAC) 

Procedural Safeguards

A Guide to Parent Rights in Special Education has been prepared by the Office of Exceptional Children in the Ohio Department of Education.  This guide replaces Whose IDEA Is This? and is an important source of information for parents with a child who is suspected of having a disability or is currently identified with a disability under the Individual with Disabilities Education Improvement Act.    

Special education, for students ages 3 to 21, is guided by federal and state requirements. The federal requirements are referred to as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The state requirements are referred to as the Ohio Operating Standards for the Education of Children with Disabilities (Ohio Operating Standards). This guide can help you understand your rights and your child’s rights according to IDEA and the Ohio Operating Standards. It also gives you information and resources to help you understand your child’s special education supports and services.

Click here for links to translated copies of the guide.  

Click on the link below to download the guide.

A Guide to Parent Rights in Special Education

SMF Resources

Bulldog Bags, INC: Non-profit providing food to SMFSchool Students to reduce hunger on weekends. 

Stow-Munroe Falls City Schools Website Home Page

Stow-Munroe Falls Special Services Home Page

Community Curfews: Stow- Under 18, 11pm to 6am, Sunday to Thursday. 12am to 6am Fri. & Sat. Munroe Falls - Under 12, Darkness to Dawn Everyday.  Ages 12-18, 11 pm to 5:30 am Sun. to Thurs. 12 am to 5:30 am Friday and Saturday.

Dolly Parton Imagination Library: Summit County Residents! Free Series of Books for ages Birth thru Five. Each month, a new age-appropriate book will be mailed to your home for no cost. The books are provided by the foundation and United Way of Summit County.  Please obtain & submit the registration form by clicking on the above link.

Stow-Munroe Falls Student Code of Conduct:  Expectations of student behavior and policy's.

Stohion Online:  Stow-Munroe Falls High School student newspaper.

Stow Parks and Rec Preview Catalog: Fall/Winter 2019-2020 Catalog of Programs

Progress Book:  Stow-Munroe Falls Parent/Student Access.

State Support Team Region 8:  Stow-Munroe Falls regional training center for districts and families.

Stow Free and Reduced Lunch: Application guidelines

Stow Transportation/Busing:  Shared custody/parenting forms, policies 

Before and After School Child Care:  Available at all six elementary buildings through the YMCA

Six District Educational Compact: College Tech Prep & Career Programs

SMF N.I.C.E.is a local organization capable of providing food, supplies, and other temporary assistance to Stow-Munroe Falls families in need.  Call 330-689-2700 or contact smfnice@gmail.com

IEP Eye Exam: Free program that provides a comprehensive exam and glasses for those without optical coverage.

PBIS/Positive Behavior Interventions and Support:  The Stow-Munroe Falls City School District continues to focus on expectations that will help lead academic and behavioral success through the PBIS model. This school-wide approach is a process of fostering and promoting positive behavior and less disciplinary action by creating safer and more effective schools. For needing additional behavioral support, a tiered model of instruction is being utilized. Similar to the instructional model of RTI. 

U.S. Office of Special Education Programs:  http://www.pbis.org/

PBIS World: http://www.pbisworld.com/  (plug in your behavioral challenge for interventions at Tiers 1, 2 & 3)

Early Childhood Social Emotional Learning

State SPED Resources

Quality Educational Programs

Approximately 623, or 8.8% of the students, who attend Stow-Munroe Falls City Schools, ages three through 22 years of age, have been identified as a student with a disability and are provided with a free appropriate public education in accordance with federal and state regulations.

Students with disabilities have unique characteristics and needs, many of which are best met by the classroom teacher who differentiates instruction within the regular classroom with the support of special education and related service providers. The team of professionals works collaboratively to assure that all students with disabilities have access to the same curriculum as typical students.

Stow-Munroe Falls City Schools uses a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) to provide prevention and intervention services aimed at providing high quality instruction to all students to ensure that they are making progress in the curriculum. This tiered intervention model reviews student intervention data to determine intervention effectiveness. At all stages of this process, progress data is taken and analyzed to make decisions. MTSS allows for early intervention by providing academic supports as soon as a student begins to struggle in the curriculum. When a teacher or school-based team identifies a student that needs to improve a skill, an intervention is put into place addressing that specific skill.

Students who fail to respond to intensive, empirically-based research interventions may be referred to determine if the student is suspected of having a disability. All decisions of whether or not a student is responding to intervention are based on data. It is at this time that the team may determine the need for a Evaluation Team Report (ETR) to be completed to determine two things: ( 1) Does the student meet one of the 13 federally defined disability categories for special education; and, ( 2 ) If the student is determined eligible for special education, what specifically designed instruction, services and supports are needed to meet the individual needs of the student.

There is no set amount of time for the intervention process within MTSS. The goal is to provide a student with intervention when needed in order to help that student meet state approved grade level standards. The process aims to help us to identify children needing interventions in reading, math, and/or writing to prevent the development of serious learning difficulties.

Ohio House Bill 29