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Content: Organizations in My Community to Support Students with IEPs

 



Depending on the needs of your classroom and the supports that your student’s need, will determine the community resources and supports you will collaborate within your classroom. The Ontario Teacher Federation (OTF) provides a list of a variety of community resources and partnerships that teachers can and families can utilize to support their student or child with an IEP. Currently, I do not have any IEPs in my grade 2 classroom. Due to the magnitude of services, I will touch briefly on ones that are utilized within my school community, based on our current student demographic and needs.

In the Education Act it states that “every board of education in Ontario is required to have a Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)” (Austism, Ontario, n.d. para. 1). The people within the committee are representatives from local associations that work together to support the well-being of exceptional children. They make recommendations to boards of education about developing special education programs and services.

The Grand Erie District School Board's website can be difficult to navigate when trying to figure out organizations that the board uses to support students in the sector of special education. On the site it said to connect with the school principal and LRT, for community resources in the area. This does make sense because Grand Erie covers a lot of distance, so what may be a resource in one area, may not necessarily be a resource in another. 

I connected with the LRT at my school and she gave me a list of community partners and organizations that support our school community.

Below is a list of these community supports specific to Brant County:

  • Contact Brant- this organization is a families first contact and will help find the right path for families to take to find supports for their child. 
  • Woodview: Mental Health and Autism Services- they provide services to support children and youth with mental health challenges and children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. They work alongside families, schools and social service agencies.
  • Lansdowne Children's Center-Lansdowne provides child development resources, supports in communication, physical, and developmental needs. 
  • SOAR Community Services- is a non-profit organization that provides support and guidance in regards to employment, housing, justice, addictions, and mental health. 

OTF. (n.d.). Community resources. Ontario Teacher Federation. Community Resources | Teach Special Education

Autism Ontario. (n.d.). Special education advisory committee. https://www.autismontario.com/programs-services/positive-advocacy-resources/special-education-advisory-committee-seac


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