Education Connection

GETTING ADDITIONAL HELP FOR YOUR CHILD

Do you feel your child isn't achieving the kind of success he or she is capable of? If so, you are in the best position to take the initiative and request help for your child. Find out what kind of specialists and services are offered through the school district. Talk with the principal and teacher, and the three of you can work together to build a support team for your child. Your principal may recommend some of the following specialists to help:

• Guidance Counselor
  Your child's guidance counselor is the entry point for all student support services. The counselor is also the facilitator for the SEP/SEOP planning process.

• School Social Worker
  This person can be an excellent resource for social services in your community.

• School Psychologist
  The psychologist is usually the one to test and place (with parent participation) children in special programs. These programs could include speech, physical therapy, special education, or gifted education.

• School Nurse
  If your child has any health needs, long- or short-term, share them with the school nurse and school secretary.

• School Principal
  The school principal is the instructional leader of the school and can offer direction and assistance if you need specific information for your child.

• School Secretary
  The secretary can be your resource for school rules and regulations, and can also provide you with a variety of other school information.

Other specialists available in some districts:

• Speech and Language Pathologist
• Physical Therapist (PT)
• Family Outreach Worker
• Home Visitor/Parent Educator
• Reading Specialist
• Gifted Learning Coordinator
• Bilingual Coordinator
• Special Education Teacher: At-Risk Director

These specialists are usually available for short-term consultations when you need specific advice concerning your child and for referrals to other community agencies when long-term services are needed.

Resources:

• At-Risk Services
  Many school districts have additional resources through their at-risk services. For example, tutoring, mentoring, divorce, loss and death counseling, a district crisis team and gang prevention programs. For students at-risk call: 538-7726 and for gang prevention call: 538-7838.
• Gifted/Talented Programs
  If your child is gifted or talented he/she may benefit from programs that meet the needs of high potential students within the state. For more information call: 538-7743.
• Families Agencies and Communities Together (FACT) Initiative
  FACT is a statewide collaborative community based initiative designed to improve services to at-risk children and youth and their familes. Through FACT families are empowered to help plan, deliver and evaluate services for their children. For more information call: 538-7817.
• Disability Services
  Special services are delivered on a district level. For a referral to your area please contact Special Education Services Unit at: 538-7700, or the Utah Parent Center at: 272-1051.
• Tutors
  The Utah State Office of Education can direct you to find an accredited tutor for your child's tutoring needs. Call 538-7743 for a list of accredited tutors and tutoring organizations in your area. Also, principals generally keep a list of teachers and other individuals in your school's area who serve as tutors.