Cumberland Valley School District

The mission of the Cumberland Valley Special Education Department, in collaboration with students, educators, parents, and the community, is to prepare each student to be a contributing member of society. We will support students in achieving academic growth while simultaneously promoting their social and emotional learning so that they can become lifelong learners.

The public-school districts of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and the Capital Area Intermediate Unit (“the Cumberland County school entities”), provide special education and related service to resident children with disabilities aged three through twenty-one. The purpose of this notice is to describe (1) the types of disabilities that might qualify the child for such programs and services, (2) the special education programs and related services that are available, (3) the process by which each of the Cumberland County School entities screens and evaluates such students to determine eligibility, and (4) the special rights that pertain to such children and their parents or legal guardians.

Cumberland Valley School District conducts ongoing identification activities as part of its school program to identify students who may need special education and related services. This process aligns with state and federal laws, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Pennsylvania's Chapter 14 regulations. The district is committed to providing a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to children with disabilities who require special education and related services. In Pennsylvania, a school-aged child with a disability who needs special education is identified as a child with a disability if they require specially designed instruction and have one or more qualifying physical or mental disabilities. If a child is identified as possibly needing such services, parents will be notified of applicable procedures, and individualized services and programs will be made available for children determined to need specially designed instruction. Individualized services and programs are available for children who are determined to need specially designed instruction due to the following conditions:

• Autism

• Deaf-blindness

• Emotional disturbance

• Hearing impairment/Deafness

• Intellectual disability

• Multiple disabilities

• Orthopedic impairment

• Visual impairment including blindness

• Specific learning disability

• Traumatic brain injuries

• Speech or language impairment

• Other health impairment

Cumberland Valley School District uses the Child Study Team process to address students who are having academic and/or behavioral difficulties. A student can be referred to the Child Study Team process by parents or staff by contacting the School Counselor.

Parents/Guardians of private school students who suspect their child is having academic or behavioral concerns should contact Chad Pellman, Director of Special Education at 717-506-3336.

Parents/Guardians of preschool children who suspect that their child has developmental delays should contact the Capital Area Intermediate Unit at 717-732-8400 to discuss their concerns with a Preschool Supervisor.