Early Childhood Intervention Program

Our Mission

The mission of Early Childhood Special Services is to support preschool age children and their parents by providing information and services that enable them to be successful in their current and future learning environments.

To accomplish this mission we will strive to:

• Share current research and best practices, from our varied areas of expertise, with all team members. We will then incorporate this information into our programs and instructional techniques as indicated.
• Provide learning opportunities and resources to parents to increase their understanding of overall early childhood development. We will also provide them with tools, which will foster the growth of the whole child across environmental settings.
• Work in collaboration with families, childcare providers, preschool teachers, general education teachers, and administrators to identify, create and maintain the optimum learning environment for any given preschool age child.

The support for the kindergarten through twelfth grade program is derived from local property taxes, plus minimal categorical assistance, whereas the Special Education Center Program is a funded program through the Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency and the Michigan Department of Education. Early Childhood derives its funding through tuition. The Community's support for the District's school system has been consistent and positive as indicated by the passage of recent bond issues.

Evaluation Process

The E.C.S.S. Department offers a continuum of special education services. When a child is referred and an evaluation is deemed appropriate, a comprehensive evaluation is conducted. The team then determines through the IEP process whether the child is eligible for special education services. When a child is found eligible, appropriate programs and/or services are then determined based on individual student needs.

Special education services may include speech and language therapy, which is offered at the Main Street Building and the early childhood intervention program (ECIP) classrooms, which are located at Thornton Creek Elementary.

Evaluations and services are free to Northville Public School residents.