SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES

CHOICE Technical Academy offers a spectrum of Special Education programs and services to students in grades 7th-12th.

The goal of the Special Education Department is to provide a free and appropriate public education for students with disabilities by collaborating with general education and related service providers to deliver a continuum of services. To receive special education services, a student must first be evaluated and meet the Minnesota State Criteria. Once qualified, an Individual Education Plan (IEP) is developed for the student. The IEP outlines the unique needs of the student and the specialized goals and objectives that will help the student make educational progress. Parents and/or guardians are critical partners in every phase of identifying a student for special education and in establishing the IEP.

CHOICE provides special education services designed to meet the needs of students with disabilities in accordance with federal and state law (Minnesota rules and statues). The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) is a law ensuring services to children with disabilities throughout the nation. IDEA governs how state and public agencies provide early intervention, special education, and related services to more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities. Infants and toddlers with disabilities (birth-2) and their families receive early intervention services under IDEA Part C. Children and youth (ages 3-21) receive special education and related services under IDEA Part B.

The State of Minnesota has mandated eligibility criteria for all disabilities; students must have a disability and be in need of special education to be eligible for services. Categories or areas in which children may be placed in special education include: 

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) 
Deaf-Blindness (DB) 
Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DHH)
Developmental Cognitive Disabilities (DCD)
Emotional/Behavioral Disorders (EBD)
Other Health Impairment (OHI) 
Physically Impaired (PI)
Severe Multiply Impaired (SMI) 
Speech or Language Impairment (Sp/L)
Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) 
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) 
Visually Impaired (VI) 

SCHOOL-LINKED MENTAL HEALTH

CHOICE is partnering with Owatonna's Fernbrook Family Center to offer mental health services at our school site. These services are available to all students.

What is School-Linked Mental Health?

Some services that may be provided include:

• Intake Interview
• Diagnostic Assessment 
• Individual Psychotherapy
• Group Psychotherapy
• Family Psychotherapy
• Individual Skills Work
• Family Skills Work

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): 

What is the benefit of SLMH?

Mental health greatly impacts students in every way. With SLMH services, students do better socially, academically, and behaviorally. 

Who pays for services?

Services will be covered by individual and family health insurance companies. If costs are a barrier, SLMH services may be covered by grant funds. Please contact the SLMH Therapist at CHOICE to talk about your options.

SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER SERVICES

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The primary role of the School Social Worker is to identify and assist students, families, and school systems to overcome barriers that interfere with learning through the use of assessment, counseling, consultation, coordination of school and community resources, and program development. The School Social Worker utilizes knowledge of human behavior, social, cultural, and community influences to help create a positive learning climate. The School Social Worker functions as a mental health practitioner/professional on the multi-disciplinary teams and provides case management services. School Social Workers will conform to the standards established by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) code of ethics.