November 21, 2014

by: Emily Hastings

School-Based Partnerships

All of the programs at UCP of Greater Cleveland rely on partnerships to run as smoothly and effectively as possible. Our Children’s Services Department has a multitude of partnerships: school-based, community-based, physicians and vendors; all of these relationships are invaluable. The one that will be highlighted in this week’s blog is school-based partnerships.

UCP of Greater Cleveland contracts with seven school districts to provide occupational therapy, physical therapy and assistive technology. These school districts include Warrensville Heights, Maple Heights, Cuyahoga Heights, Richmond Heights, Independence, Rosemary Center School and Ohio Virtual Academy. Our therapists can either treat children at school, or the children have the option to come to UCP’s therapy facility for treatment. UCP of Greater Cleveland also contracts with and supports school districts with temporary therapy coverage needs, such as Cleveland Heights and The Sight Center.

UCP Case Managers are also involved in schools to assist parents of a child with a disability and to support parental self advocacy through the IEP (which is an individualized service plan that leads the child’s educational goals). Case Managers also partner with parents during their child’s pivotal transitional periods which would include preschool, middle school, high school and community-based services. The Case Manager with UCP’s therapy team can also consult with and visit the school district to enhance communication and carryover of functional goals.

UCP also provides contracted Extended School Year (ESY) services for continuation of IEP services throughout summer to maintain and enhance functional/education goals determined by individual school districts. During their ESY, a child can be included in UCP of Greater Cleveland’s unique intensive therapy program “Steps to Independence.” This past summer, UCP partnered with four schools districts, two of them being Wickliffe and Independence.

UCP of Greater Cleveland can be contracted to provide a Comprehensive Evaluation for the special needs student. An interdisciplinary therapeutic team including a speech language pathologist, an occupational therapist, a physical therapist and a RESNA certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) with a background in special education is able to consult and assist the school in finding creative ways to support the student and develop a better functional plan to enhance educational outcomes for the student. One major area that UCP provides assessment, consultation and training for is Assistive Technology. Assistive technology is any device or service that improves a child’s ability to use their strengths to interact with the world around them and enhance their educational attainment.

For more information about UCP of Greater Cleveland’s School-Based Partnerships, please call (216) 791-8362 ext. 1250 or email childrens@ucpcleveland.org. Or visit our website at www.ucpcleveland.org/services-for-children/school-based-therapy.

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