Education

The Arc Erie County New York provides comprehensive services to educate students in a special education environment. We operate a variety of classrooms and therapeutic services to address the needs of a diverse student population across both locations.

Preschool Evaluations

The Arc Erie County Preschool Evaluation Program is an approved provider of multidisciplinary evaluations for preschool-age children. For families who may have a concern about the development of their child, they may contact their school district’s Committee on Special Education (CPSE) to request evaluations in the areas that are of concern for them.
The CPSE will provide a list of approved evaluators that the family may choose from. Evaluations will include a psychological evaluation to determine a child’s developmental levels. Other evaluations that may be provided are speech/language evaluations to determine a child’s level of communication regarding levels of understanding of speech as well as speech production, occupational therapy for concerns about small/fine motor coordination such as holding objects, pre-writing skills, also for potential feeding/swallowing concerns, and physical therapy for large/gross motor concerns such as sitting, walking, climbing or other movements.
Evaluation results are forwarded to the school district CPSE, who then will determine a child’s eligibility for services. If the child is eligible, the CPSE will determine what services are to be received, how often, and where those services will be delivered. Evaluations are provided at no direct cost to parents. Funding is provided through county and state funds that are designated for evaluation services.

Preschool Education Program at Green Acres

The Preschool Program at The Arc of Erie County provides multidisciplinary evaluations and specialized educational and therapeutic services for children who have been deemed eligible for those services by their respective school district’s Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) for children ages 3-5.
The program strongly supports educating students in the least restrictive environment. We operate full inclusion and self-contained classrooms that address the needs of a diverse student population. We work with each CPSE in providing comprehensive services that are appropriate for each child.

School Age Education at Maryvale

The Arc Erie County Education Program offers comprehensive educational and therapeutic services for students with disabilities in our school-age programs. Focusing on promoting and developing independence, the school provides a classroom-based, supportive environment tailored to each student’s needs. Programs are designed to foster learning through specialized supports like speech, occupational, and physical therapies as well as art, music, and adapted physical education. Our school uses state-of-the-art technology, is fully accessible, with specialty spaces, including a Cafeteria that provides breakfast and lunch, Life Skills classroom, a fully accessible Playground and 2 sensory rooms. The school age program provides educational services to students aged 5 to 22 years.
*Services for students with intellectual disabilities must be requested through the school district you reside in.*

Services that are available at both of our schools

Services are at no direct cost to the family and are funded by the county and the New York State Education Department.
Services approved by the Committee on Special Education may include:

Physical Therapy

Parent Counseling & Training
School Nursing
Special Education Services
Art
Music

Adaptive Physical Education
Behavioral Support
Student Counseling
Speech-Language Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Vision Services

Staff that provides services are duly certified/licensed in New York State

The Arc Erie County New York Maryvale and Green Acres school sites have been inspected by the Town of Cheektowaga Building Code Officer and the Town of Tonawanda Building Code Officer, respectively. Shay Fire completes the mandatory NYS Education Department fire inspections yearly.

Helpful Links

NOTIFICATION OF RIGHTS UNDER FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students who are 18 years of age or older ("eligible students") certain rights with respect to the student's education records.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THE NOTIFICATION OF RIGHTS UNDER FERPA

The Early Childhood Direction Center

The Floortime Center®

Parent Network