About us: Tehama County Regional Preschool Assessment and Services Model
The Tehama County Preschool continuum provides special education services for children three to five years of age who have been identified with one of the federal and state defined special education eligibilities. The services are designed to promote a partnership between professionals and families to help meet the child's individual needs and increase future school success. Children are served in the least restrictive environment (LRE) in a wide variety of early childhood settings. Emphasis is placed on the development of language, social-emotional, motor and pre-academic skills through activities and materials that are concrete and relevant to their lives. Families and staff work together to develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that guides the service delivery for each child. Regional preschool services provide specialized academic instruction with Early Childhood Education Specialists (ECSE) teachers in numerous settings. There are self contained classrooms at two district sites (Metter Elementary School and Gerber Elementary School). Additionally, itinerant services are provided in the child’s natural preschool classrooms throughout the county, play groups, and other educational settings. Related services are also provided for eligible students in their natural educational settings.
Contact Information:
Director of Special Education
Assessment and Infant to Preschool Transition Plans
Tehama County Department of Education is the provider for preschool special education assessment for the majority of special education related services. Tehama County SELPA and Department of Education are the hub for parent/caregiver/preschool referrals and/or Part B to C transitions. The preschool assessment team will develop an assessment plan and assess preschool aged children in the geographical boundaries, pending a qualified transition, referral, consultation from parents, and input from the assessment team. The evaluation will be sufficiently comprehensive to address all areas of suspected disability. A variety of tools and strategies will be utilized such as play based assessment, parent interview, standardized testing, developmental scales, speech/language assessment, observation, interviews, screening/diagnostic instruments, file review, and consideration of any outside assessments (pending a release of information). In the case of an initial evaluation, it will address eligibility. In every case, the assessment will identify student needs, whether or not those needs are typically related to the disability and provide practical information that will assist the IEP team in writing goals and objectives.
Infants, birth to three with disabilities are served through either The Shasta County Office of Education Early Start Program or Far Northern Regional Center. Shasta County Office of Education’s Early Start Program is jointly funded by Shasta and Tehama county and provides a variety of services to eligible infants and toddlers age up to three and their families throughout Tehama and Shasta Counties. Families of children birth to three years of age qualify for services if the child’s development is delayed, or at risk of delay, due to any of the following conditions:
- Impairment in vision, hearing or speech
- Orthopedic condition such as spina bifida or cerebral palsy
- Congenital syndrome such as Down Syndrome
- Seizure disorder or other chronic health problem
- Autism
- Intellectual Delays
- Emotional disturbance
Infants and toddlers without a specific diagnosis, who have significant delays in cognition, motor, speech and language, or social-emotional development, may also qualify for services. Anyone can make a referral by calling (530) 527-8581
Early Start Program through Far Northern Regional Center:
Far Northern Regional Center (FNRC) provides services to eligible individuals with developmental disabilities
Early Start Information for Far Northern Regional Center and provides services to birth to three year olds as well.
Services Provided by Far Northern Regional Center. For more information, contact the FNRC Redding Branch at (530) 222-4791
Important Early Childhood Links
Tehama County SELPA Preschool Procedures
Tehama County Department of Education Early Childhood Programs
Evergreen Union Elementary School Preschool Programs
Tehama County Northern California Child Development, Inc (HeadStart)
First 5 of Tehama County and First 5 of California
California Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
California Child Care Resource and Referral Network
"Effective Early Childhood Transitions," Guide by the California DDS and CDE
Child Care Planning Council Acronyms and Terms
"A Family-Centered Approach to Early Intervention," Article by WestEd
"Early Childhood Mental Health - Raising Awareness, Taking Action," Article by WestEd