Director of Special Education

Children with disabilities are welcome in the McCreary County School District, regardless of the severity of their disability. We provide appropriate Special Education or 504 services at no cost to the parents of the eligible child, age three to twenty-one years, residing in our geographical boundaries. 

Children eligible for Special Education include those children with disabilities who have: Autism, Deaf-blindness, Developmental Delay, Emotional Behavior Disability, Hearing Impairment, Mild Mental Disability, Functional Mental Disability, Multiple Disabilities, Orthopedic Impairment, Other Health Impairment, Specific Learning Disability, Speech or Language Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury, or Visual Impairment and who meet Kentucky's eligibility requirements for the category, in accordance with Kentucky Administrative Regulations for Special Education Programs.

Children eligible for 504 services include those children who have a current physical or mental impairment that currently substantially limits a major life activity which causes the student's ability to access the school environment or school activities to be substantially limited.

If a child age birth to three years needs services, please contact First Steps at 1-800-378-2821.

Programs for children age 3 to 4 years old, include Eagle Child & Family Development Center, Lake Cumberland Head Start Program, and the McCreary County Preschool Program.

Eagle Child & Family Development Center has national accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children, is located in Parkers Lake, Kentucky and provides preschool education in full day sessions Monday through Thursday from 10:00 am-2:45 pm. Transportation is provided to and from the child's home. If you would like to enroll a child in the Eagle Child and Family Development Center, please call Brinda Campbell (606)376-3272.

Lake Cumberland Head Start Program provides preschool education in full day sessions 8:00 am-2:30 pm, Monday through Thursday. Medical, dental exams, transportation to the appointment and some follow up services are paid for income eligible students. The McCreary County School District in compliance with the Full Utilization Agreement with the Lake Cumberland Head Start Program, must assist the Head Start Program in reaching their full enrollment of eligible at risk four year olds. If you live in Head Start's designated area, you are encouraged to enroll in their program, until their required enrollment is met. If you are interested in enrolling a child in the Head Start Program located at 1941 North Whitley City, Kentucky, please call (606)376-5437 or 1-800-928-9241.

The McCreary County Preschool Program Located in Pine Knot, Kentucky, provides a half day program Monday through Thursday for children: age 4 by October 1, who are income eligible, age 3 or 4 identified as having a disability and age 4 who are non-eligible as available space allows. A projected number of open slots will be reserved for 3 year olds having a disability. If you are interested in enrolling a child in the McCreary County Preschool Program, please call (606)354-3590.

Services currently provided for eligible students include but may not be limited to: Speech & Language Therapy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Vision Impaired Services, Hearing Impaired Services, Assistive Technology Program Consultation, Behavior Management Program Consultation, Autism Program Consultation, Psychological Assessment, and Mental Health Services (provided through Adanta.)

Parents, relatives, public and private agency employees, and concerned citizens are urged to help the McCreary County Public School District find any child who may have a disability and need Special Education or 504 services. The District needs to know the name and age, or date of birth of the child; the name, address, and phone number(s) of the parents or guardian; the possible disability; and other information to initiate the process to determine if Special Education or 504 services are needed.

If you know of a child who lives within the boundaries of the McCreary County Public School District, who may have a disability, and may need but is not receiving Special Education or 504 services, please call McCreary County Board of Education at (606)376-2591 or mail the information to:

 

Amelia Strunk, Director of Special Education

McCreary County Board of Education

120 Raider Way

Stearns, Ky 42647