Special Education

Turner Elementary Special Education students

The Contra Costa County Office of Education provides a full range of services designed to meet the needs of students with disabilities throughout the county, ranging in age from birth to age 22.

These programs provide classes and training that use innovative approaches in a structured, positive environment to support each student in meeting his or her Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals and objectives. Approximately 420 students are served in more than 10 locations throughout the county.

Classroom settings include fully integrated sites on regular school campuses, community-based instruction, and special centers. By offering a range of settings, the programs can address students' individual education needs.

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Programs for Students with Autism

The Contra Costa County Office of Education provides highly specialized, intensive, early intervention programs for students with autism, ranging in age from birth through age 22. These programs utilize a variety of instructional and behavioral strategies, derived from best practices and research in the field, to reach and teach each individual student. Comprehensive instructional plans are systematic and responsive to each child's individual present needs, and incorporate both home and school activities.

Autism Program Locations

  • Turner School - Antioch
  • Hillview Middle School - Pittsburg
  • O’Hara Park Middle School - Oakley
  • Heritage High School- Brentwood

Community-Based Instruction (CBI) Programs

Community Based Instruction is a class for students 18-22 years of age. The goal of this program is to facilitate the transition from school to adult life for students with severe disabilities. Curriculum and transition strategies include: Independent Living Skills, Social Skills, Recreation/Leisure Opportunities, Employment Training, Mobility Training, Economics/Money Management and Community Awareness and Services.

CBI Program Locations

  • Floyd Marchus School - Concord
  • Liberty High School - Brentwood
  • Heritage High School - Brentwood

Transition Programs

Students serving lunch at Strawberry Corner cafeteria

The focus of the Transition Program is to assess, train, and place each student. Informal assessments, portfolios, and standardized tests are ongoing in the classroom for each student. Students can attend Community Based Instruction classes which utilize the community as well as the classroom. The students learn transition skills in the environment in which they will apply them as adults. Specialized Regional Occupational Program (ROP) courses are offered to meet the needs of students who require a more supportive environment.

Transition Program Location

  • Liberty High School - Brentwood

Early Start and Preschool Programs

The Contra Costa County Office of Education operates a multifaceted program for children 0-3 years old who qualify for special education services.

EARLY START serves children birth to age three who have vision, hearing, orthopedic problems, autism, or other developmental disabilities. Early Start educators assist the family in developing an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) to address the child's needs and priorities. The Early Start team includes teachers, instructional aides, occupational therapists, a psychologist and a speech language therapist. Service is provided in a variety of ways which may include classroom activities, individual home-based instruction, play groups and family activities.

Early Start Locations

  • Floyd Marchus School - Concord
  • Diablo Vista Elementary School - Antioch
  • Krey Elementary School - Brentwood

Preschool Program Locations

  • Mauzy School - Alamo
  • Diablo Vista Elementary School - Antioch

Counseling and Education Programs

The CCCOE provides Special Education classes for approximately 100 elementary, middle, and secondary school students who exhibit a wide range of emotional and behavioral problems.

The intent is to help students address personal issues and change their behavior so that they may return to a less restrictive educational setting when appropriate. To that end, students are taught academic, social, and conflict resolution skills that foster healthy emotional development and academic achievement.

Counseling and Education Program Locations

  • Floyd Marchus School - Concord

Programs For Students with Severe and Multiple Disabilities

The Contra Costa County Office of Education provides a full range of services designed to meet the needs of severely handicapped students from age 3 to 22. Programs emphasize integration of students with age-appropriate peers, placement in the least restrictive environment, a comprehensive curriculum for severely handicapped, and programs to support transition. Support staff, such as speech therapists, nurses, psychologists, occupational therapists, augmentative communication specialists, and teachers of vision and hearing impaired students are also part of the program team. Leadership and support exists to insure the quality of their student's instructional programs as well as having facilities that are appropriate and maintained in a safe condition.

Severely Handicapped Program Locations

  • Mauzy School - Alamo
  • Turner Elementary - Antioch
  • Diablo Vista Middle School - Antioch
  • Krey Elementary - Brentwood
  • O’Hara Park Middle School - Oakley
  • Liberty Transition Center - Brentwood
  • Heritage High School - Brentwood

WorkAbility I

WorkAbility is a community and state of California transition program providing special education students (ages 16 to 22) the opportunity to complete their secondary education while obtaining marketable job skills.

WorkAbility I Program Locations

  • Floyd Marchus School - Concord
  • Special Olympics

SPECIAL EDUCATION ADMINISTRATIVE CONTACTS

 
Title Name (click to email) Phone Fax
Director, Student Programs Tom Scruggs (925) 942-3376 (925) 942-3353
Administrative Assistant Denae McLennan (925) 942-3376 (925) 942-3353
Administrator Rachel Lecy  (925) 942-3351  (925) 942-3353
Program Specialist Beth Tyler  (925) 942-3487  (925) 942-3353
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