Colonial IU 20 - an education service agency serving Northampton, Monroe, and Pike Counties
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Pupil Personnel Services

Pupil Personnel Services provides the related services such as school psychologist services, psychiatric referrals, occupational therapy, physical therapy, adapted physical education, health education, social skills development, transition planning, specialized transportation, extended school year, interagency collaboration, surrogate parent training, child accounting and Pennsylvania ACCESS services. In addition, Pupil Personnel Services provides a rigorous system of support for students in the provision of advocacy including child abuse, prevention and basic health, and social development because of CIU 20’s philosophy to enhance the total development of students.

School Psychologist Services

School psychologists provide a comprehensive support system for special education services to students with challenging needs including assessment, consultation, counseling and program interventions. An evaluation is conducted and an Evaluation Report is completed by the school psychologist to identify the student’s needs for eligibility and special education services via the team process. Our psychologists provide services for CIU 20 programs, school districts and charter schools.

The CIU 20 school psychologists also serve as a crisis intervention team to provide immediate and effective short-term intervention in acute crisis situations. Situations covered are those which have implications for affecting a significant portion of the school population beyond the victim. Such situations may include, but are not limited to, the aftermath of suicide, sudden death, assaults, etc.

Psychiatric Referrals

A psychiatric referral is made to identify the issues which inhibit a student’s progress in the student’s current educational setting. The focus of this special service is to provide the support and structure for students who have demonstrated a distinct lack of success in school adjustment due to social and/or emotional factors. The service is designed to respond to a student’s individual social/emotional deficit need. Specialized techniques in behavior management, group dynamics and emotional development are employed to foster a better awareness of feelings, thoughts and behavior to develop the independence and autonomy necessary for successful reintegration into the regular school program. Students eligible for this service include those that have a condition exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree:
  • an inability to learn which cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory or health factors
  • an inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers, teachers and other staff members
  • inappropriate types of behavior or feelings
  • a general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression
  • a tendency to develop physical symptoms, pains or fears associated with personal or school problems

Occupational Therapy Services (OT)

Occupational therapy is a service provided by a licensed therapist to help a child develop the underlying skills necessary for learning. School therapy is designed to help the student access educational services. Services are provided to both regular education students and students with disabilities to help them meet with success in their educational environment.

In the educational setting, intervention strategies are varied. The therapist provides activities, procedures, and environmental modifications necessary to implement the goals and objectives of the Individual Education Program (IEP) and/or the Occupational Therapy Intervention Plan. Direct, monitoring, and consultation services are provided to the 13 school districts and charter schools by Registered Occupational Therapists and Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants.

Physical Therapy Services (PT)

Physical therapy services are provided to enhance the educational program and encourage optimum independence of students with physical disabilities in both special education and regular environments. Direct monitoring and consultation services address a variety of student needs: functional motor skills within the school setting, safe mobility, use of adaptive/assistive equipment, positioning for optimal learning, proper transfer techniques, selected activities of daily living as appropriate to the educational program, accessibility to programs and environment and transition needs when moving to a new school.

The physical therapists and physical therapy assistants work as an integral part of the education team and are able to function as a liaison between the medical and educational communities. In the educational setting, intervention strategies are diversified to meet the identified goals and objectives of the IEP and/or the Physical Therapy Intervention Plan.

Adapted Physical Education (APE)

The adapted physical education program is designed to provide an appropriate physical education program for exceptional students regardless of physical, mental or emotional handicap. The adapted physical education program presents students with the opportunity to improve skills in the areas of body control, object control, and physical fitness through adaptations of regular physical education programs. The students receiving these services are seen individually and in small groups. This programming also includes training students for Special Olympics, exposure to lifetime activities in the community, and an opportunity for social interaction. The adapted physical education curriculum strives to educate students to the enjoyment and benefits of physical activity.

Health Education Services

School health nursing services are provided for the Colonial Academy and the Early Intervention Program. Also, First Aid and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training is provided for CIU 20 staff members as needed.

Social Skills Development Services

Social skills development services are provided to junior high and high school students with disabilities to help them develop appropriate social skills and positive self concepts. Competency skills groups provide students with an opportunity to develop and expand their learning of daily living skills and interpersonal social behaviors. This service is an integral part of preparing students for job opportunities and independent living skills. Students may participate in evening and summer social activities which are scheduled and coordinated on a monthly and/or bi-weekly basis by the social skills consultant.