By By Lisa Tindell – News writer
In by-gone days school-age individuals who had were in need of special education or related services were destined to attend specially created schools for those needs. However, those who have special needs no longer are required to travel out of town or be isolated at designated schools.
Dr. Baxter Baker, special education coordinator with Brewton City Schools, works with a program known as Child Find that helps locate and identify children ages' birth through 21 who may be in need of special educational services.
Most often speech therapy is determined to be the need of younger children, Baker said.
Referrals are taken and evaluated for needs to an early intervention provider, which is currently Southwest Alabama Mental Health Center.
Baker said that at the pre-school age, services are offered in the least restrictive environment.
The Child Find program is a direct result of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part B of 2004. Brewton City Schools as well as Escambia County Schools participate in this program.
If you would like additional information or to refer a child you feel may be in need of special educational services are invited to contact Baker at 867-8400 or Suzanne Barnett, Coordinator of Special Education for Escambia County schools at 296-0633.