Bergen County is comprised of more than 70 small municipalities. Most
of the districts are unable to provide all of their various students who
have special needs with a comprehensive educational program.
Responding to this the Bergen County Superintendents Council almost
25 years ago, divided and reorganized the county into seven regions for
special education. Bergen County Region III is comprised of nine
participating districts: Alpine, Closter, Demarest, Harrington Park,
Haworth, Northern Valley Regional High School District, Northvale,
Norwood, and Old Tappan.
Working jointly, the nine districts are pledged to develop and
maintain high quality special education programs and classes, provide
articulation among professionals, and deliver skilled consultation
services through their Acting Region III Director. The Northern Valley
Regional High School District serves as the legal educational agency for
the Council.
Over 1000 students with various learning disabilities are provided
with special education programs located within the nine participating
school districts, other public school districts outside the Region,
county-administered programs, and state approved private schools, both
day and residential.
Each student receives a specific program as outlined in his/her
Individual Education Plan (IEP). Students are placed in the least
restrictive environment, which means the special education class or
service that is most closely associated with the student’s local, peer
group.
Functions
In carrying out the functions of the Office of Special Education,
Region III, the Director meets regularly with several organized groups:
the Region III Superintendents Council, the Child Study Team
Chairpersons, the Principals, the Region III Parent Advisory Group, and
the Bergen County Regional Directors.
At these meetings common concerns, needs, regional projects, and
other special education related matters are discussed and
recommendations are made for approval. The Region also provides an
articulated curriculum to maintain continuity in programs.
In response to state and federal laws, the Region maintains a
committee whose function is to provide comprehensive personnel
development for staff members who instruct and come in contact with
handicapped students. The planning committee is comprised of teachers,
both regular and special education, administrators, guidance counselors,
parents of handicapped students, and community representatives.
Services
In addition to facilitating special education placements, Ms.
Vuoncino's office provides the Region’s districts with comprehensive
services.
The office:
- Assists in the supervision of special education teachers and programs.
- Assists districts in the recruitment and hiring of special education personnel.
- Conducts in service training of special education personnel, including regular meetings, training programs and workshops.
- The participating districts special education teachers, learning
disability teacher-consultants, psychologists, social workers,
speech-language therapists, and nurses meet on a regular basis
throughout the school year to discuss common concerns and review current
issues in their respective fields. Guest speakers and workshop leaders
are often brought in to provide special programs. Workshops are also
provided to parents of students with learning disabilities.
- Encourages and cooperates in parent education and public information programs regarding special education.
- Maintains contacts with state, county, federal and private agencies that assist in the education of handicapped children.
- Provides Chief School Administrators and Child Study Team
Chairpersons with information about changes in New Jersey Statutes
Annotated, Title 6A, Chapter 14,– Special Education, and other related
federal laws.
- Plans and coordinates the Region’s student transportation program.
- Develops and supervises Regional options for preschool
handicapped students (SLICE); children with autism. (Valley Program -
ages 3-18) and children diagnosed with emotional and behavioral needs
(TIP - Therapeutic Intervention Program - grades 1-8). Summer Programs
for students ages 3-21.
- Collaborates with other Special Education Regions
- Provides Regional Occupational and Physical Therapy Services.
- Provides Social Skills Programs.
- Psychiatric Consultation Services
- Supplemental Testing Services in Speech, Psychology, Learning and Behavioral Consultations.
Location:
The Office of Special Education, Region III is housed in the Northern
Valley Regional High School District Administrative Office building at
162 Knickerbocker Road, Demarest, NJ 07627.
Ms. Cara Bayer, Region III Council for Special Education, 201-768-2200 x 12190
Mrs. Susan Johnson, Region III Transportation Coordinator, 201-768-2200 x12180
Ms. Donna Steindl, Secretary, Regional Programs, 201-768-2200, x12250
Ms. Barbara Masterson, Regional Programs Administrative Secretary, 201-767-7224 x55000