Delaware County Intermediate Unit

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Support Services - Overview

ACCESS
Administers collection of Medicaid reimbursement for health related services provided to school age and Early Intervention students that are required as part of the Individual Education Plan (IEP). DCIU offers inservice training for staff on the required forms and process. Additionally, DCIU can process and overseee the reimbursement for the district.

Jennifer Hertwig, Supervisor
Barbara Cuff, Coordinator

ELECT — Education Leading to Employment and Career Training
Assists eligible pregnant and parenting teens in breaking the cycle of welfare dependency by remaining in school, obtaining a GED or high school diploma, transitioning into employment, job training or post-secondary education, and parenting healthy children.
Natalie Berry, Supervisor
Sallie Elizabeth Clayton, Program Coordinator

ELECT Fatherhood Initiative
Heightens awareness of the importance of fathers in the lives of their children, helping them to connect to and strengthen the bond between them, promote a positive relationship between teen fathers and mothers, prepare teen fathers to adequately provide child support, establish and/or increase child visitation/access and paternity, provide legal, educational, employment/career training resources and opportunities.
Natalie Berry, Supervisor
Sallie-Elizabeth Clayton, Program Coordinator

English Language Learners - Click here for ESL Certification Information
Provides English language instruction for students whose first language is not English. Counselors, teachers, parents and principals refer students, who receive individual and group instruction. Instruction focuses on assisting each student to develop English proficiency. Instruction is provided only in English, and education plans are developed in conjunction with the classroom teacher.
Marsha Dworkin, Supervisor

Extended School Year (ESY)
Provides educational services outside a standard schedule of school days as part of a student’s IEP. Summer sessions are offered for students who are referred by their school districts. The goal is for the student to attain and maintain educational progress. Certified staff provides instruction, information, and technical assistance.
Andria Saia, Assistant Director, Special Programs

ESY Services: Literacy Camp

Provides intensive instruction in reading, spelling and writing, using research-based approaches, for students entering grades three through seven. The target population is students with severe reading problems who are of average cognitive potention and who exhibit appropriate behaviors.

Maryanne Regan, Supervisor

ESY Services: Meaningful Day Community Living and Learning Program

Provides opportunities for students who require support in developing daily living skills and accessing community-based activities. The location of this program is an apartment in one of the local communities in the county.

Barbara Burger, Supervisor

Instruction in the Home
Provides homebound students with an IEP an individualized special education program, at the request of a district. Special education students under a physician’s care who unable to attend a school program on a long-term basis are eligible for this service.

Mobile Support Team
Provides highly-qualified professionals on-site to assist district staff with individual and classroom needs. Support is provided for student centered services such as case coordination, classroom issues, transition between programs, including follow-along, new program development, specialized evaluations and behavior/social skills.
Jennifer Hertwig, Supervisor

Nursing Services
Provides nursing services to DCIU students at each center program. Nurses monitor each student’s health record to confirm their adherence to policies set by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Vacant, Supervisor

Occupational Therapy
Provides occupational therapy to improve quality of movement and posture, fine motor functioning, visual motion functioning and independence in activities of daily living. Occupational Therapists recommend, construct and teach students and their teachers to use and maintain adaptive equipment. The goal is to make therapy more meaningful by assisting students to apply skills in their daily living situations. Therapists meet with family members to discuss issues and develop at home programs.
Melissa Hance, Supervisor (610-565-0618 ext. 201)

Jean McNealis, Lead Therapist (610-565-0618 ext. 256)

Physical Therapy
Focuses on improving the quality of movement and posture, gross motor functioning, balance, strength, coordination, functional posture, appropriate positioning and mobility. Physical therapists recommend, construct and teach students and staff how to use and maintain adaptive equipment such as wheelchairs, prone boards, and other devices used for positioning and mobility. Therapy becomes more functional when a student is able to generalize new skills and apply them in a variety of everyday settings. Family is encouraged to meet with therapists.
Melissa Hance, Supervisor (610-565-0618 ext. 201)

Jean McNealis, Lead Therapist (610-565-0618 ext. 256)

Professional Development
Provides training opportunities in Inclusive Practices, Least Restrictive Environment, Response to Intervention (RTI) and Differentiated Instruction.
Katherine Kircher, Supervisor

Psychological Services
Provides mandated psychological services to students in IU, district and nonpublic schools. DCIU school psychologists perform a wide variety of functions, geared toward assessing students’ needs and consulting with parents, teachers, school districts, nonpublic schools and various agencies in helping children succeed in school. Psychologists also provide counseling and support to students, faculties and families in crisis situations.
Natalie Berry, Supervisor

Social Work
Provides services to students, their families, teachers, and other team members to enhance the student’s ability to benefit from their educational program. Duties and responsibilities of the social workers vary, depending on the needs of the students in a specific program.
Natalie Berry, Supervisor

Teenage Pregnancy and Parenting Program (TAPP)

Program helps students obtain a high school diploma, encourages self-sufficiency upon graduation, assists in the development of parenting skills and promotes healthy lifestyles during and after pregnancy. The Programs Coordinator is available to teachers, counselors and parents from all districts for consultation.

Natalie Berry, Supervisor

Sallie-Elizabeth Clayton, Program Coordinator