CPSEs are responsible to determine eligibility for special education services for preschool students with disabilities and to develop the IEP for each
student. For more information about CPSE or Early Intervention services please review the information and links below found under Orange County Department of Health.
Referrals to the CPSE
If you suspect your child has a disability, or your child will be aging out of Early Intervention services, there are two steps you must complete to have your child evaluated.
- Step One: You will need to complete a CPSE referral. You can begin the process by clicking here.
- Step Two: Once you have completed the CPSE referral form, you will need to register your child with our school district. View the district registration form here.
Upon completing the pre-registration you will receive an email from the Registrar with the next steps to finalize your child’s enrollment.
Should you have any questions regarding the CPSE process, please call the Office of Pupil Personnel Services at (845) 615-6450 and select option 1.
Committee on Preschool Special Education Membership
At its yearly reorganization meeting in July, the Board of Education appoints a Committee on Preschool Special Education. The membership of the Committee on Preschool Special Education shall include, but is not limited to:
- the student’s parent;
- the regular education teacher of the student if the student is, or may be, participating in the regular education environment;
- at least one special education teacher or, if appropriate, at least one special education service provider of the child;
- the CPSE chairperson who is a representative of the district and is qualified to provide or supervise special education and who is knowledgeable about the general education curriculum and the availability of preschool special education programs and services and other resources of the District and municipality;
- an individual who can interpret the instructional implications of evaluation results, who may be a member of the team selected from the regular or special education teacher, or school psychologist, or provider, or district representative described above;
- an additional parent, if requested, in writing, at least 72 hours prior to the CPSE meeting by the parent, who is a parent of a student with a disability residing in the school district or a neighboring school district, provided that such additional parent member may be the parent of a student who has been declassified or has graduated within a period not to exceed five years
- for a student in transition from early intervention programs and services, the appropriately professional from the Department of Health’s Early Intervention Program;
- an appropriately licensed or certified professional from the municipality is invited but not required for a quorum;
- other persons having knowledge of special expertise regarding the child, including related services personnel as appropriate, as the school district or the parents shall designate. The determination of knowledge or special expertise of such person shall be made by the party who invited the individual to be a member of the CPSE.
Orange County Department of Health
Early Intervention Services
The Early Intervention Program assists families by identifying and evaluating as early as possible those infants and toddlers (Birth – Age 3) whose development may be delayed, and by providing appropriate intervention to improve child and family development. These services are provided at no out- of-pocket cost to you.
Preschool Special Education
Preschool special education provides specially planned individual or group instructional services or programs for eligible children, from ages 3 – 5 years, who have a disability that affects their learning. These services are funded by local municipalities as well as by state funds and are provided at no cost to the family.
Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs
The Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) Program offers supports to CYSHCN and their families by providing timely and
appropriate information and referrals to insurance, health services, and community resources to address their identified needs. The program is
available to families with children and youth, ages 0 to 21, who have a chronic physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional condition and may require health & related services.