Skip to main content
Special Education » Special Education Department

Special Education Department

Welcome to Natomas Charter School's (NCS) Special Education Department. On this page, you will find information about our Special Education program, resources for families, staff and the community.
 
Natomas Charter School follows a full Inclusion model with students supported through the general education classroom in partnership with the Sacramento County SELPA. Sacramento County SELPA supports NCS with a Continuum of Services/ Placement to provide a level of support needed for a student that is beyond what NCS can provide on our Academy's sites. 
LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT (LRE) & INCLUSION (California Ed Code 56049)
  • The goal of LRE is to place students in general education classrooms with access to their peers and grade level content with only the necessary support.
  • All pupils are general education pupils first, including pupils with disabilities.
  • Inclusion in general education classrooms and programs should be considered the fist setting for all pupils, unless the individualized education program for the pupil with a disability determines that another setting is more suitable to guarantee a free and appropriate public education. 
REFERRAL PROCESS
We understand that you may have concerns about your child's progress, behavior or social emotional wellbeing. If you find this is the case, please reach out to your child's classroom teacher. Many times, the teacher can address your concerns and make adjustments allowing for no further steps to be taken. The teacher may also suggest holding an Student Success Team (SST) meeting to discuss concerns you and/or the staff may have. The SST team will include teacher(s), site administrator, parents/ guardian and possibly other support specialists, like the social emotional counselor or a special education staff member. The team will then come up with a plan to implement for 6-8 weeks with targeted strategies and support to address areas of concern. Upon completion of the 6-8 weeks time period, the team will meet again to discuss how things are going and determine the next steps, which could include maintaining the implemented SST or adjusting strategies/supports to further explore alternative options. If interventions have been tried and documented, the SST may recommend additional support which may include an evaluation for special education eligibility. 

Referral Process

Step 1:

If you have a concern (academic, behavior or social emotional) reach out to your child’s classroom teacher

Step 2:

Hold an Student Success Team (SST) meeting- implement 6-8 weeks

Step 3:

Review SST data and how the plan is going - determine if the plan is working or needs adjustment - implement 6-8 weeks *continue process as needed in 6-8 week blocks

Step 4:

If SST interventions and supports have been implemented and documented with no success, the SST team may recommend an evaluation for Special Education
CONTINUUM OF SERVICES
In accordance with Federal and State law, the continuum of services and educational placement provided by NCS in collaboration with the Sacramento County SELPA include:
 
Placement in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) through an Inclusion model:
  • General Education classroom/inclusion
  • General Education with related services/accommodations/modifications
  • General Education with pull-out services
  • Separate classroom - SDC *Placement will be at a site outside of NCS in collaboration with SacCo SELPA
  • Separate school - NPS *Placement will be at a site outside of NCS in collaboration with SacCo SELPA
  • Separate facility - *Placement will be outside of NCS in collaboration with SacCo SELPA
RESOURCES
(916) 978-6400
  • Mind Institute                 
(916) 703-0300
  • Warmline Family Resource Center      
(916) 455-9600
DEPARTMENT CONTACTS
  • Special Education Director - Amy Kahler      
Phone: (916) 419-3788 x245 | Email: [email protected]
  • Program Specialist - Franchesca Donato      
Phone: (916) 419-3788 x244 | Email: [email protected]
  • Administrative Assistant - Michele Hunnicutt      
Phone: (916) 419-3788 x261 | Email: [email protected]