Q: What services does NW BOCES provide?

NW BOCES provides a number of services to our member districts but most of our resources go toward providing Special Education. Our special education director and assistant special education director supervise NW BOCES special services providers working in all of the schools in our member school districts, from preschool to 12th grade. Together, our special education team provides the following services:

• Child Find - identification of special education students through early screenings, referrals and evaluations
• Occupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• School Psychology
• Speech and Language Pathology
• Services for low-incidence disabilities, including vision or hearing impairments
• Extended School Year program - summer services for eligible special education students
• Transition - services for eligible young adults with special needs, ages 18-21, on a case-by-case basis

What is an IEP?

IEP stands for Individual Education Plan, and it is a legal document in which a student’s special educational needs are detailed.  IEPs are designated for children with disabilities from age 3 years through 21 years.  Follow this link to gain a better understanding of the IEP process.

What is a 504 Plan?

Section 504 is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Section 504 ensures that the child with a disability has equal access to an education. The child may receive accommodations and modifications. 

When does a student qualify under Section 504?

The decision whether or not a student qualifies under Section 504 is made on a case-by-case basis. A screening committee at your child’s school, headed by the 504 coordinator, reviews the child’s individual profile to determine whether there is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. Things that are considered include the nature and severity of the impairment, its duration or expected duration and the long term impact of the impairment on the child’s opportunity to equally access and benefit from programs and activities offered in school. A 504 plan typically qualifies a student for accommodations and modifications necessary to allow that student to access the general education curriculum, but individualized services are not generally provided under a 504 plan.
If a child is not eligible for special education services, is a referral for a 504 plan automatically made?

Decisions regarding referral for 504 are made on a case by case basis. Some students who do not qualify for special education services can be considered for services under 504. If it is suspected that a child may qualify under 504, a referral to the school’s 504 coordinator should be made

Q: What is the difference between IEPs and 504 plans?

IEPs and 504s are similar but different entities. Understood.org does a great job here of comparing the two plans.

Useful Websites:

• Colorado Department of Education Office of Special Education Page
  • This site/office is a resource to teachers, administrators, and parents of students with exceptional educational needs due to disability, or learners who are culturally and/or linguistically diverse or have some other special need.
• Parents Encouraging Parents (PEP) Conferences
  • Family-centered conferences designed to offer support, information, and education to parents and professionals. PEP promotes the partnerships that are essential in supporting and including children with disabilities and their families in all aspects of the school and community. 
• Colorado Special Education Advisory Committee (CSEAC)
  • A federal and state law mandated committee that includes parents of, and individuals with disabilities, educational service providers, administrators, and representatives from a variety of related agencies.
• Council for Exceptional Children: CEC
  • Professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted.
• National Center for Learning Disabilities
  • National organization concerned about issues related to students with learning disabilities.
• Council for Learning Disabilities
  • International organization concerned about issues related to students with learning disabilities.
• Parent to Parent of Colorado
  • An organization that connects families of children with disabilities or special health care needs in communities across Colorado. 
• Family Leadership Training Institute (FLTI)
  • Prepares families to become leading advocates for children. The FLTI teaches families, who wish to improve the lifelong health, safety and learning of children, how to become practiced change agents for the next generation.
• Rural Assistance Center (RAC)
  • Health and human services information for rural America.
• Special Education Guide
  • Parents and educators know that children with special needs have gifts and talents—it’s just a matter of unleashing their full potential, and making sure that their parents and teachers have the right information, tools and support to help them. 
• Yampa Valley Autism Program
  • Yampa Valley Autism Program provides resources and direct services to individuals and families living with autism or other disorders to cultivate their abilities and maximize quality of life.
• Intervention Central
  • This website offers free tools and resources to help school staff and parents to promote positive classroom behaviors and foster effective learning for all children and youth.
• Stuttering Foundation
  • This website provides free online resources, services and support to those who stutter and their families, as well as support for research into the causes of stuttering.
• Reading Rockets
  • Reading Rockets is a national multimedia project offering information and resources on how young kids learn to read, why so many struggle, and how caring adults can help.
• Speaking of Speech
  • An interactive forum for speech/language pathologists and teachers to improve communication skills in our schools by exchanging ideas, techniques, materials and lessons that work; finding out about materials before you buy; seeking and giving advice on therapy and case load management issues; and exploring a myriad of helpful resource links.