Referral Process

From birth through age 2

If the parent/guardian has any concerns in the areas of speech, hearing, vision, physical development, behavior, cognitive development, etc., he/she may call the Early Childhood Services Coordinator at 308-872-6699. The Early Childhood Services Coordinator will meet with the family to gather the initial information, explain the referral and evaluation process, and schedule testing/meeting. A team from SESC will evaluate the child and hold a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meeting with the parent/guardian to explain the test results. If the child qualifies for special education services, an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) will be held to develop a program to meet the child’s special education needs.

For children ages 3 to 5 (not in school)

Parents/guardians who would like their child evaluated to determine if they have a disability may call the Sandhills Educational Services Office (308-872-5606) or stop by the office located in the Broken Bow Middle School.   The parent, with the assistance of SESC staff, fills out a referral form.  After the referral information is reviewed by School Psychologist, a SESC staff member will contact the parent(s)/guardian(s) to explain the evaluation process and schedule testing and meetings. The child will be evaluated by SESC team members. A Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meeting will be held with the parent(s)/guardian(s) to explain the evaluation results. If the child qualifies for special education services, an Individualized Educational Program (IEP) will be held to develop a program to meet the child’s special education needs.

Age 5-21

Parents/guardians or teachers of children suspected of having a disability must first request a Student Assistance Team (SAT) within their child's school to discuss and address their questions and concerns.  Each building has an assigned SAT Chairperson.  If you have concerns about your student’s educational needs, you may call your child’s teacher or call the school and ask to speak to the SAT Chair about your concerns.

If the building level SAT determines that every available resource within the school's programs cannot resolve a child's learning problem, they will recommend a special education evaluation from the SESC staff.  An SESC staff member will contact the parents and explain the evaluation process.  No evaluations can take place until the parent gives written permission for such an evaluation. 

Following the evaluation, a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) will meet with the parents to discuss the results of the evaluation and make recommendations regarding how to meet the child's learning needs.  If the child has a disability, an Individualized Educational Program (IEP) will be developed to address these needs.  Parents must participate in developing the IEP and must give written permission before this special education program can begin. 

Deadline for Referrals

Referrals for birth through age two will be accepted all year. The child’s evaluation will be completed on or before 45 days from the date the child is referred.

For testing of children age three to age twenty-one, referrals must be received in the SESC office on or before the first school day in March.

For the evaluation process to be completed that school year, the signed consents for testing must be received in the SESC office on or before the first school day in April. The evaluation will be completed on or before 45 school days from the date signed consent received in the SESC office.