General Information

The Special Education Department of Genesee Intermediate School District is comprised of more than 500 professional and support staff that provide services to students with disabilities, their families and local districts throughout Genesee County. Administrative services are located at the Special Education Services Center-North facility.

Special Services-North: Administrative Services

• Coordination of special education programs and services for 21 local school districts and 10 public school academies
• Supervision of center programs
• Coordination of grants relating to special education programs and services
• Coordination of the web-based electronic Individualized Education Program system (Easy IEP)
• Coordination of education and human service agencies
• The collection of student, personnel, and assessment data for the compilation of state and federal reports and provision of technical assistance to local districts
• Development of GISD's Mandatory Plan for Special Education
• Continuous Improvement Monitoring System (CIMS)
• Compliance and complaint investigation
• Technical assistance to local school districts and Public School Academies
• School-Based Services - Medicaid program
• Administrative support to the GISD Special Education Parent Advisory Committee and other consumer and provider organizations
• Liaison to the Michigan Department of Education - Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services

Special Services-North: Student Services

• Positive Behavioral Support Services
• Day Treatment Programs for students with emotional impairment
• Psychological evaluations
• School social work services
• Professional/para-educator staff development
• Teachers of homebound and hospitalized
• Consultants for students with autism spectrum disorder, cognitive impairment, emotional impairment, hearing impairment, health impairments, physical impairments and vision impairment
• Vocational Assessment
• Project CHOICE (Children’s Options for Integration into Community Environments)
• Parent education
• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy
• Orientation and mobility services
• Behavior support services

General Information about GISD Center Programs

Our centers provide classroom programs for students with early childhood developmental delay, cognitive impairments, multiple impairments, and autism spectrum disorder. Placements in our centers are initiated in cooperation with local school districts, parents, and GISD staff. In addition to classroom programs, support services include physical, occupational, music, and speech therapy. Consultant services and behavioral support from school social workers and other professional staff assist students and families with the development of appropriate student behavior and adaptive skills. Assistive technology, health, and other support services are also available. Classroom programs and services are determined on the needs of each individual student. All of our specialized programs for students provide instruction that emphasizes the development of skills necessary for students to become productive adults and community members. These include:

• Social, emotional and intellectual skills
• Functional academics
• Personal health habits, self-care and personal safety
• Environmental awareness
• Prevocational/vocational and employability skills
• Communication skills
• Independent living skills
• Human growth and development
• Recreation and leisure skills
• Physical coordination and motor development
• Parent participation

Programs and Locations

• Early Childhood Programs and Services
  5089 Pilgrim Road, Flint
  Special Education Services-South is the location for early childhood special education programs. Early On-Genesee County is also located at this site.
• Elmer A. Knopf Learning Center
  1493 West Maple Avenue, Flint
  Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Moderate Cognitive Impairment attend classes at the Elmer A. Knopf Learning Center (EKLC).
• Marion D. Crouse Instructional Center
  3330 Luce Road, Flushing
  Programs for students with Severe Cognitive and Multiple Impairments are located at the Marion D. Crouse Instructional Center (MCIC).
• Transition Center
  3136 South Linden Road, Flint
  Adult students with disabilities are provided community based and work site instruction at the GISD Transition Center.
• Project CHOICE (CHildren’s Options for Integration into Community Environments)
  Located throughout Genesee county school districts. There are over 30 Project CHOICE classrooms countywide which offer an alternative classroom setting in local school districts for students from center programs.

For information on any of these programs, contact Special Education Services at (810) 591-4494.