Programs for People with Special Needs
Township of East Brunswick
350 Dunhams Corner Road
East Brunswick, NJ 08816
(732) 390-6797 Phone
(732) 390-6818 FAX
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Questions: How do I know if these programs are the right ones for my child?
Answer: First, spend some time talking to the Coordinator about your child as well as indicating your child's issues, problems and special needs. Be prepared to tell the Coordinator what expectations you have for our program. During this discussion, you will learn about the children who do attend and you can compare your child's abilities to those of children currently participating. IEP's and supportive reports about your child will be reviewed by the coordinator to determine if the placement is a good match. We want the fit to be right for each child in each program.
Question: Will the coordinator give an honest assessment of whether a specific program is right for my child??
Answer: Most definitely. We want parents to be satisfied and their children to be "happy participants." Our programs work well for children who are on the mild to moderate end of the special education spectrum. Most of the children attending our program have been diagnosed with communication delays, physical disabilities, attention deficit issues, Asperger's Syndrome, mild PDD or have special needs in learning or speech. Many children have delays in social skills development. We do not look at children based upon “classification” but look at each child as a unique individual who brings their own charm, enthusiasm, desire to be accepted and all the qualities each child possesses to each life experience. Our intent is to find ways to make the program work well for each child.
Question: With all of the discussion over inclusion and mainstreaming, why should I consider sending my child to programs that are designated for children with special needs?
Answer: If your child is successful in their respective inclusion or mainstreaming programs then it is possible that our programs are not needed for their continued success. Unfortunately, many children have not met with success in typical, mainstream or inclusion programs for a variety of reasons. A child's recreation program should be stress-free, successful, and fun but should also build skills and prevent regression. Your child should be able to develop friendships during programs. If you find a typical, mainstream recreation program that can accommodate your child and deliver these expectations then that is great! We offer the same type of programming as typical mainstream recreation programs, while providing much more attention to the needs of each participant as an individual.
Question: How many children are in a group or within a program?
Answer: The actual number of staff depends on the needs of the children and the specific program. Children with special needs generally do better in smaller groups with more staff available to attend to their needs. To that end, we will place more staff in programs or groups as needed to ensure a successful, positive recreation experience. We do not accept more children in any program than we have staff available to ensure their safety, their successful involvement in each program, and our ability to provide a wonderful experience.
Questions: Are there scholarships available?
Answer: Our programs are funded by both the Township of East Brunswick as well as the Daisy Association. Registration fees paid by parents for programs are kept as low as possible through fund raising by the Daisy Association, our parent support group. Families in need of financial assistance are encouraged to speak with the Coordinator of the program who can direct them to the proper person to determine if financial assistance is available. If your child is registered with the Division of Development Disabilities, there may also be financial assistance available for programming (Note: Not all children with special needs are eligible for DDD). You can also see if local agencies or groups have funds for recreational programming for special needs children.
Question: How are the participants grouped?
Answer: Grouping is determined by the Coordinator and Assistant Coordinator, together with Division Leaders. After receiving completed registration forms from parents as well as speaking with a parent and/or observing your child, we will make a decision as to their placement in our program. If there are groups within a specific program, your child will be grouped with other children within a three year age span (approximately). In most cases, groups are mixes of boys and girls. We do not group participants based on their classifications, consequently, any child can be in a group having other participants with similar or varying needs.
Question: Who are the staff?
Answer: The Division Leaders as well as the Assistant Coordinator are Teachers of Special Education. Our nurses are Registered Nurses who currently work in public schools. The counselors and junior counselors are college graduates, college or high school students, or teachers. The counselors in training are non-salaried fifteen years old in a training program within our program. We are very fortunate to include volunteers on our staff. Volunteers spend varying amounts of time in programs.
Question: Are there any children whose needs would preclude participation in the program?
Answer: Each child is assessed to determine that the program is able to meet that child’s needs. Our program is not an educational institution nor is our staff trained to deal with severe behavioral problems. Our staff is able to provide the extra assistance necessary for a child with mild or moderate special needs to participate in and enjoy program activities.
Question: Are there any types of behavior that would force us to discontinue a child’s participation in the program?
Answer: Repetitive behavior that would put the participant or others at risk may not be appropriate for the program. Unfortunately, where behavior as described above takes place, the participant may not be allowed to continue in the program.
Question: Do you accept children into a program who are not toilet trained?
Answer: Yes. That is not a problem. Please discuss this with the Coordinator.
Question: If a child is on a toileting schedule, can this be continued during a program?
Answer: Yes. We will be happy to assist your child to reinforce toileting skills you are teaching.
Question: Are there refunds for any reason?
Answer: If we are unable to place a child in the program, a full refund is provided. If a parent determines that their child is unable to participate after they have been registered for any reason, there is no refund. If the Township of East Brunswick determines that a child who has been accepted into the program and has been registered cannot continue to participate for any reason, a refund equivalent to the fee paid, less the charge for the number of program sessions that a child has participated in, and any administrative fee, will be returned to the parent.
Question: Can you describe a typical participant?
Answer: Children who, regardless of their special education classification, would be able to function in a mainstream recreational program but, due to minimal or moderate special needs, will require extra assistance and attention to enable them to be successful.
Question: Do you need to submit a medical examination form when you send in the registration material?
Answer: No. The Medical Form and any other forms requiring a physician’s signature are only required for participation in the Daisy Recreation Program. They should not be submitted nor should the actual physical be scheduled before a child is registered in that program.
Question: Can a child begin participation in the Daisy Recreation Program before their medical forms have been returned?
Answer: No. Our nurses must receive all medical forms, physician’s instructions, etc. prior to a child beginning the Daisy Recreation Program. Our nurses must review the forms to ensure that they have been filled out completely, stamped with the physician’s office stamp, signed as needed by physician and parent and that they have all the information that they require to make your child’s experience with us a great one.
Question: If a child requires medication, are there nurses on staff who will administer the medication?
Answer: Medication is only administered during the Daisy Recreation Program. Medication is administered at lunchtime (approximately) by our registered nurse. We require that you have your child’s physician complete and sign the appropriate form giving instructions to our nurses.
Question: Can I send in medication on a daily basis?
Answer: No. You must provide at least one weeks supply for our nurses to hold.
Question: Do you need to submit a copy of your child’s IEP with the rest of the registration material for a child to be considered for participation?
Answer: Yes, the complete, current, IEP, must be submitted when the registration fee and other registration forms are submitted. A child will not be considered for acceptance into these special needs programs without the submission of the IEP.
Question: If a child is a resident of East Brunswick, are they guaranteed admission to the program?
Answer: No. Each child, resident as well as non-resident, will be assessed for admission to every program.
Question: If a child was a participant in a program previously, are they guaranteed admission into future programs?
Answer: No. Each child, both resident as well as non-resident, will be assessed for admission to every program.
Question: Must required fees or deposits as indicated in the registration procedures be submitted at the same time as the registration materials?
Answer: Yes. We will not be able to evaluate a request for registration unless appropriate fees and all forms (except medical examination forms) are submitted at the same time. Please see registration information for each specific program regarding fees, dates fees and registration material are due, payment plan, (if available) and deadlines.
Question: How will I know if my child is registered in a program?
Answer: Once the fee/deposit and all required registration forms have been submitted and reviewed, and the parent has spoken in person or by telephone with the Coordinator, the appropriateness of the child’s placement will be determined and the parent will be notified by the Coordinator.
I have attempted to ask and answer some of the questions that parents might have. I have not asked and answered all questions. Our wish is to make your child’s participation in any of our programs a positive, wonderful, experience. To that end, please contact me and ask the rest of the thousand questions that you have. If we are able to assist you, we will do so happily. You can reach me though my cell phone at 732-236-2588 or my e-mail address at janice.pennington@eastbrunswick.org.
Take care.
Janice Tangen-Pennington, Recreation Supervisor
01-16-12