Need info about my 4 yr old and daycare/school?

[EvsMom]

I am moving in a month from Cincinnati to Rochester, NY. I am clueless on resources that are available for my son and I (even here in Ohio) and need help.

My son will be 4 on November 1st, and I'm a single mother. We're moving to NY so I can start school soon, but at first I have to get a full time job, therefore needing a daycare or school for my son.

Are there schools or services for children his age, with disorders like his? (ODD, severe ADHD, and 2 speech related ones, and they want to test for bipolar.) I can't afford $250/week, but I'm not about to hire an at-home daycare where my son would probably be hurt (you know how this goes.. but even my family won't watch him because he's so rough). However, I may or may not be making more than the alloted amount to receive daycare help from the state.

So I guess I'm asking.. are there such services? and how much are they? Who would I contact? The local school, the state, the disability services department in that county?

Thanks so much for any help and information!

[CheekyMonkey]

I would check out these resources: http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/p...care/day-care/

[CheekyMonkey]

I wonder if he can get an IEP through the school system for services? http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/p...chool/default/

[EvsMom]

I know this is a stupid question.. but oh well...

If he were to go to a public school and have an IEP, do I pay weekly for that? How does that work?

(He's my only child, and I was always home schooled, so I have no idea! lol)

[Spacemaster]

I don't know so much about the programs in schools but as far as the daycare assistance...you can make a decent amount of money and still get assistance. At least here in Minnesota anyway. You are usually required to work a certain amount of hours to qualify for assistance. Now, if there are two members of the family working that's different, but if it's just you (OP), you should get assistance.

[Ms. Mango]

A quick consult with Dr. Google comes up with this: http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/

also: http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/p...l/brochure.htm

There's some contact info at the bottom of this page, give them a call and see what is available.

[CheekyMonkey]

Originally Posted by EvsMom

I know this is a stupid question.. but oh well...

If he were to go to a public school and have an IEP, do I pay weekly for that? How does that work?

(He's my only child, and I was always home schooled, so I have no idea! lol)

I believe, if he gets an IEP then the school is responsible for providing care. This might be in the form of a special needs preschool or something.

[CheekyMonkey]

Take a look: "Children ages 3 through age 21, who qualify for special education services, must receive a free appropriate public education regardless of the severity of their disability. An individualized education program, called an IEP, is written to address each child's special education needs. "

http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/p...l/legislation/

[Ms. Mango]

Agree with CheekyMonkey--in our state if your child qualifies for an IEP you don't pay for preschool. You may also receive transportation for your child free of charge. Still, I live in a different state, so check it out for NY.

[CheekyMonkey]

The IEP process can be overwhelming. Here is a little tutorial about the process and such from Ohio government.

http://www.olrs.ohio.gov/tutorials/specialed/laws

[ccom5100]

When we lived in NYC, I made a request, through the district special education department, that ds be tested. He received an IEP and was placed in full-day preschool in a special education program. I'm not sure about Rochester, but I would think they'd have similar accommodations.

Here's a link to the Rochester Board of Education Specialized Services page to help you get started:
http://www.rcsdk12.org/1973101089143...te/default.asp